Vigil is a reflection on my role as a hospice music therapist and my experience being present at a death. I feel it is a sacred honor to be a witness to someone's transition. There are physical signs that signal death is coming: the change in breathing, glassy eyes, color changes. For me there is also just a knowing. I feel my role is really to hold space for the dying and their loved ones. Sometimes the music provides "permission" for the person to leave this life. Many pe

A sacred part of my job as a hospice music therapist is providing live music at funeral and memorial services. Occasionally, I am able to work on the music set list with the patient themselves. Many of them are eager and ready to share with me what they have chosen and request those songs during multiple visits. Other times, the family is left to choose music they feel might be meaningful. Often these songs are found in the realm of Christian music. Sometimes secular music.

"Tempest" was one of the first songs that I wrote fairly quickly. It was during the time right before I delved into my first romantic relationship. We bonded over music and challenged each other to write a song. I was processing some of the feelings I had and my tendency to keep them to myself. Eventually, I did share some of the songs I wrote with him and he shared some of his with me. Music was something we bonded over, yet the relationship wasn't meant to last. Later the

Another song I wrote a few years ago while I was completing my masters degree. I was feeling a bit edgy and frustrated with things. I feel it reflects the inner battle I have, believing in my self-worth and wanting better for myself. However, I can get trapped in anxiety and envious thoughts. It is a repetitive cycle that happens in mind, and I know it isn’t healthy. I think this comes through musically with the repetitive loop that starts in the beginning. The chorus ackn

Happy New Year! Part of me thought I should do a motivational review of a peppy song to get us ready for the New Year. Definitely excited for 2026. Yet, I have been wanting to reflect on a special playlist: the deathbed playlist. In a way, it is also motivating and inspiring. As a hospice/death worker, facing the death of others has a significant impact on my desire to live a full and meaningful life. In my life there have been special songs that hold great meaning for me a

I wrote 'Interlude' a couple years ago. It is a mixture of a couple pieces of inspiration. Initially, I was inspired by what I called...

I wrote this song several years ago during a music therapy conference that was near the beach. I was walking along the shore and noticed...

I haven’t stayed true to the original post schedule I had because life is happening. But I always find a way to combine some of what I have been hoping to share so I don’t get too far behind. Here I am now, combining some reflections on songwriting and taking time to create a song offering to Mother Earth for Earth Day. As I have mentioned before, I love songs and lyrics. For a long time now I have kept journals of original song lyrics. Typically, I start with lyrics when wr

Music therapy students must complete practicum experiences as part of completing a degree in music therapy. Even at the master’s level, I...

A Self Portrait Finding the Beauty Within I chose to focus on the virtue of “Beauty” during the start of spring because the beauty of nature’s various colors return. For me, beauty is hard to define because it is subjective to each person. As I was beginning to write this post, I kept thinking of my own song “All Is” which touches on some of my thoughts about the concept of beauty. Initially, this song was an exercise in paring up idioms and considering some of t

Music Sets You Free My previous post “Find My Voice” shares a bit about my love for music and how singing has been therapeutic for myself. I wanted to share more about why and how I became the music therapist I am today. During one of my voice lessons in high school, my teacher stated “I think you are going to be a music therapist.” I didn’t know what that meant but I was intrigued. I began researching it and found the American Music Therapy Association website. I was a sop

I wrote 'Circle of Selene' from August 1-2 2020, which happened to be just in time for a full moon in Aquarius on the third. I was still...

This song is very special because I wrote it for my husband and performed it at both of our weddings. We got engaged in May of 2019 and...

I don’t even remember when I started writing this song. It had been a work in progress for many years. I am not sure of the exact experience that pushed me to write it. There have been many times in my life when I have felt overwhelmed and stuck in patterns that were not healthy or beneficial to me. The first verse speaks to feeling stuck but knowing I need to get out. However, I didn’t always have the tools, knowledge, or ability to do so. The chorus represents a daydream

On my music page, the first song I posted is called “Chroma” and it comes with a video with lyrics posted. The song was created first as a creative response prompt for one of my grad school classes. We were to reflect on the idea of racism and this song emerged when I turned to songwriting. Below are the original lyrics: Ballad songs begin The story of our tribe Known by all kin Ancient armor thick The worth of our kind Known by our skin All hearts bleed When lacking comp