Dear friends💜,
What a month it has been! A few weeks ago, as I sat on my porch with my morning cup of tea, I noticed the leaves on the oak tree quivering in the breeze. It wasn’t a gentle rustling—they were trembling and shaking, just as I felt that morning. Being a sensitive soul, I’m sometimes prone to nightmares, more horrendous than one could imagine in the light of day or ever consciously conjure. After those nights, I’m grateful that my schedule often allows me to linger in the morning—reminding myself to breathe and to take in the light, the trees, the birds, chipmunks with cheeks full of acorns, squirrels, and sometimes even bunnies.
Yesterday morning, I needed a little extra reassurance—and a beautiful butterfly landed right in front of me in the sunlight. Reassurance and beauty are absolutely everywhere if we take the time to look and receive. As scary and terror-filled as life can sometimes be, it is also incredibly beautiful and loving. At times I dream of magical golden light so radiant I cannot conjure it in waking life. And every once in a while, angels sing to me, and I hear music more exquisite than anything earthly I could ever recreate.
I firmly believe that beyond this bodily existence there is incomprehensible beauty, peace and love, and I am also convinced that its flickers are all around us here on this earth in human life experience but fear often gets in the way.
Fear -- rooted so deep: within our human experience, within the lineage of our ancestors, within the memory of our cells. And the only true antidote is TRUST.
This month, trust has been the biggest message for me: I must trust the people I love most, trust myself and my dreams and visions, and most importantly, trust in the gilded promise of my dreams—an earth ruled by love.
And that path to love is found through communication. Relationships without effective communication are often rocky, filled with distrust and fear. I think most of the time we have no idea what others are feeling and thinking. And so many of us have been taught not to trust our own feelings and our own voices. But now is the time to be brave, to join together in community, and to share what is truly on our hearts. Then maybe we can move past the labels, the boxes, and the finger-pointing—and finally see each other’s inner lights and beautiful souls within.
I know—I am full of pipe dreams. But that is what my song Gathering is all about. Set in the darkness, it illuminates the power of our own inner light and voice to show us the way.
My new official music video "Gathering"!
This month was also busy with lots of singing with incredible clients in the studio and on the road! I traveled down South and had a BLAST singing in Nashville for the first time! I got to sing three songs at the songwriters open mic at The Commodoregrille on Broadway and get an authentic taste of Nashville. I must of rocked my first open mic because they invited me back to book an official slot!
Then I got to spend an intense weekend recording a song and a music video for world peace with some incredible singers and music artists in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. My favorite part of the weekend was forming friendships with these impressive women!
These women are super talented and I hope you can click on their names below and check out their powerful and uplifting work. I am hoping to bring them to Iowa sometime in the near future for another collaboration💜🔥✨🎶!
KARINA NISTAL
KRISTEN MERRITT
SOMDATTA
DR. AMELIA KEMP
Creatively, I’m so excited to give you a sneak peek of the cover for my upcoming book of spiritual poetry, which I’m hoping to share with the world before Thanksgiving! This book holds the heart of my healing journey and is also the foundation and core of my album Rising Free. I’ll be recording a beautiful audiobook companion, and I can’t wait to share more next month.
Last month I shared about the Vocal Empowerment Retreat I led, and I’m excited to let you know that I’ll be leading a full weekend retreat February 27–March 1 at Prairiewoods in Hiawatha, IA. If you’d like to travel and join me, you can mark your calendar now. Registration isn’t open yet, but I’ll be sure to share the link as soon as it is.
Also if you are in the Iowa City area, I am looking forward to performing this month on the Ped Mall in Iowa City on Sat. Oct. 11th from 1:45-2:45pm to support the Corridor Community Action Network💫.
So many things are happing here in the studio in Iowa City, so if you are local, please check them out below!
Yesterday, I had a vision of flying like an owl in a dark starry lit sky. I've always imagined and dreamed of flying, but never in a beautiful night sky...
So, as we begin our descent into the darkness this Fall, I am going to trust that the fires within us will to light our way.
Please know that I am sending lots and lots of light and love to each and every one of you 💜🔥,
Iowa Local Opportunities!
TONIGHT IT STARTS! And it is not to late to register-just reply to this email! Let Your Voice Be Heard, my beginner singing class for adults—is at 7:30pm.
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.
Our next Voices of Healing Singing Circle will gather this Sunday —Oct. 5th!
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.
Important Dates to Note!
Sunday Dec. 7th 7pm-Studio Concert @ Riverside
Saturday Jan. 3rd 6pm-Sing Along Christmas Party @ Knights
Sunday May 3rd 7pm-Studio Concert @ Riverside
Our second Singing Playground Class is on October 19th 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. Singing in community is magic!!
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!
As always, please reach out with any questions!
💜Mj
