Inauguration Day Sing Along - Songs of Justice & Resilience
What a privilege to be a part of the legacy of artists rising up and singing truth to power this weekend at the Freight. I'm so, so proud of you, Beatriz Roxanna Martinez, and your first formal performance, and beyond grateful to Carl Oser, Joyous Dawn and Kele Nitoto for joining me in this.
As we sang: Arise, Arise! I see the future in your eyes.
This week, my beginner singing class starts at The Freight, and I wrote a bit more about my own music education story. Enjoy, and PM me for more information on the class!
For much of my life I really wondered if what I heard was true - if I didn't learn music "as a kid", did that window of opportunity close forever? I sat on my hands for about 10 years, afraid the ship had sailed, but still sitting in the front row of every concert, surrounding myself with musicians. I was so passionate about music, often moved to tears, and often resentful that I couldn't join in. As much as I tried, I couldn't shake the desire to learn to sing, write songs and play more instruments.
Everything changed when I learned a bit more about...brain science. My fear wasn't a decree that this was impossible, it was just a sign I was up to something big, new, and hugely important to me. I searched out true-blue teachers who were able to meet my beginner level with dignity, and hold up believing lanterns for my dreams. I got a support structure in place so I could practice. I learned techniques not just for instruments, but on how to enjoy the process, methods of practice that could bring me joy and presence rather than anxiety. And, several years later, I produced and recorded my first EP of original music, more formally stepping into my role as a performer.
It is my deepest honor to give back to support other adults and teens to do the same. I host a variety of classes and lessons each month, creating a learning environment focused as much on play, humor, and possibility as solid technique. My education includes countless music classes and lessons, as well as my learnings of the principles of creativity from Julia Cameron's The Artist Way, Kenny Werner's Effortless Mastery, Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, and the Academy for Coaching Excellence.
Like many of you since the election, I've toggled between fear, acceptance, revulsion and awe. And, I'm recommitting to living where my feet are, listening and acting from my center, and embracing the ride of "hope in the dark":
Hope is an embrace of the unknown and the unknowable, an alternative to the certainty of both optimists and pessimists. Optimists think it will all be fine without our involvement; pessimists adopt the opposite position; both excuse themselves from acting. Hope locates itself in the premises that we don’t know what will happen and that in the spaciousness of uncertainty is room to act....We may not, in fact, know [the impact of our actions] afterwards either, but they matter all the same, and history is full of people whose influence was most powerful after they were gone. - Rebecca Solnit
And I don't know anything better to do than to sing to that, sing through that. On Inauguration Day, I'm honored open for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with my project The Justice & Resilience Pop-Up Choir. Please come and sing with us, instead of thinking too much alone at home. (You can also stay after for Ladysmith, but scoop your tickets ASAP.)
Also starting January 11th is another volume of Singing Outside the Shower. I remember just two records in my house growing up: Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life and Carole King's Tapestry. I'm so happy to feature her songwriting genius in this class, and supporting adults to be happy, creative, empowered beginners.
In the meantime, singout to this, a stunning, updated National Anthem by my dear friend Jean Rohe. Yup, you can let yourself cry.