For the majority of my life, my singing voice was nurtured in secret and denied the sunlight of parental encouragement. This early suppression of talent fueled an intense longing that lay dormant inside me for decades. It felt like unrequited love. Like falling in love all over again, the birth of my children reignited my musical spark. The rocking chair I sang lullabies to them in became my stage, and they my adoring audience. But, as they grew, the yearning for something more, something external, grew.
In the Summer of 2022, I decided to explore my relationship with music. I wanted to pursue singing publicly. This was beyond nerve-wracking karaoke nights with girlfriends. During my summer pilgrimage, I experienced a whirlwind of sound and light. I attended 24 concerts and tapped into the local band scene. It became my focus, my obsession. I was evolving into a “band-aid.” I followed bands every chance I got. I soaked up every note and every performance. I was driven by a deep desire to be part of that world.
It became clear that I desperately wanted to be the lead singer. I wanted to stand on a stage and share my voice. So, I gave it a whirl! It was so much fun, but it was also disappointing. The reality of the world I wanted to be a part of was harsh. The male dominance, substance use, racial bias, and sexism, coupled with my lack of formal training, felt like insurmountable barriers. I felt naive. Even still, I remained driven and dedicated to finding a more authentic experience. I knew that neither the world’s opinions nor my shortcomings needed to deter me from experiencing joy.
During subsequent seasons, I seized an opportunity to book bands. I learned the ins and outs of that kind of event management. I met so many talented and dedicated musicians along the way. The experience fortified my original desire to sing live and to one day form a band. During this time, I also had the short-lived but golden opportunity to write and record some original music.
After two years of a whirling dervish of multifaceted musical activity, I decided to take a well-deserved break! I used this time to build my company. Based on lessons learned, I’ve crafted a clearer vision for how I want to fulfill my musical endeavors. At the moment, I am studying music theory, writing tunes, and practicing piano and guitar.
I encourage you to “find your voice”- do what makes you smile, regardless of the obstacles. Keep learning, keep growing, and thank you for listening!
