Dear friends💜,
I am sending you lots of love and light today! Summer always seems to disappear so quickly when all I want to do is sit in the sun and let it sink into my bones. A few days ago it was my birthday. Usually, the day is full of heat and sun at the end of July but this time it started with a gentle thunderstorm and brought blessed cool, cloudy weather to replace an intense heat wave in the Midwest.
Being a Leo, I have relied on the shining sun to fuel my days and when the day is dark, I often struggle. But the significance of the clouds and rain on my birthday were not lost on me. I MUST rely on my inner light to fuel my days. Anything external can be thwarted.
A song affirmation came to me in the last month or so. "All that I am, is ALL that I need!" It evolved out of the coolest chord progression and I have been singing it over and over and over again. This must be the message to heed in my 43rd year.
And you know, it seems so simple to say and sing that, but in reality, to truly believe that I have everything I need is quite hard. Every day, the external world throws us SO many things that glitter and demand our attention while subversively telling us that we are not enough. It is impossible to avoid them, and human connection has to filter through it all more and more in order to connect. Which is why we must root deeper and deeper in the truth that we are MORE than enough.
As I am starting back up my voice studio after my summer break, working with so many unique and powerful voices from all over Eastern Iowa, I am reminded how finding our voice, the one deep down that is unshakably connected to our inner light, can hit home this message.
For my birthday, I decided to busk on our downtown pedestrian mall. I got an amplified sound permit from the city and set up two big speakers, my keyboard and mic. The only other time I have randomly sung on the street was with Opera Memphis in their incredible 30 Days of Opera program where they bring opera singers into the community appearing casually in parks, streets and libraries.
As I set up, I was slightly terrified and asked myself what the heck I was doing as random people walked by with curious looks. But I had some friends come to listen and support me, and as I sang for about 2 hours, it was amazing how random people walking by with their own agendas, stopped, listened, even recorded my performance and were moved.
Performing at the National Women's Music Festival was also a powerful experience! Although I didn't win the competition - a fabulous woman with a very different upbeat style did - I was able to connect and share my music with so many women and other incredible artists. I also learned so much and am so grateful for the experience! I wanted to share with you a taste of my live performance!
The next thing I have coming up is a Vocal Empowerment retreat at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center Aug 22-23rd. I would LOVE to have you join me if you are able!
Then in September, I’m traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountains to make a collaborative music video for world peace! I saw a call for three female singer/instrumentalists, sent in my Rising Free music video, and was selected! I’m so excited to get to know the other artists and collaborate on a healing project.
After having a wonderful time away with family this month, I was unable to do the publicity push needed to release my Gathering music video, so I think I will release it in about a month—and I will share it with you in my letter!
I hope you can soak up the last of the summer sun, as I hope to do this month—and on the cloudy days, remember the blazing sun within you.
Sending lots of love and light 💜🔥,
Things are gearing up! Please scroll below for lots of opportunities!
Iowa Local Opportunities!
If you're local to the Iowa City area, our next Voices of Healing Singing Circle will gather this Sunday —August 3!
I’d love to have you join us on Sunday morning!
Please register below so I know how many to prepare for—and if finances are tight, just use the code BEMYGUEST.
Knightingale Voice Studio is back in full swing! I’m offering individual sessions, packages, and—new this year—the option to reserve a dedicated weekly time slot. If you'd like a consistent spot in the schedule, be sure to reach out soon!
I’d also love to invite you to our very first Singing Playground Class on August 17th at 5pm! This will be a workshop-style class where we’ll sing together as a group, and then open the space for those who’d like to share a solo and receive supportive feedback.
Community is such a powerful part of the learning process, and this is a beautiful opportunity to grow, share, and explore your voice in a safe and encouraging space. Sign up now to join us!
This Fall, I’m offering two 6-week sessions of Let Your Voice Be Heard, my beginner singing class for adults—one starting in September and another at the end of October.
Anyone can learn to sing! In this small group course, we’ll explore breath, sound, and technique in a fun, supportive space. You’ll learn to project without tension and sing together—no solos required, and no experience or music reading needed.
I’d love to have you join, and feel free to spread the word!
Next month I will have the dates for our two concerts this Fall and Spring, so be on the lookout! And as always, please reach out with any questions!
💜Mj
