Dear friends💜,
I hope this letter finds you saturated with sweetness from Halloween and resting. :)
Did you know November 1 is All Saints’ Day—a Christian holiday set to coincide with Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking summer’s end and inspiring modern Halloween? It’s a time when the veil between the living and the dead feels thin, like the merging of seasons—where one day it still feels like summer and the next brings winter's chill.
The onset of winter’s chill has also brought an end to an incredible experience I’ve had this fall. My wonderful counselor, Karla Miller, who retired a few years ago, emailed me this summer to let me know she was coming out of retirement to offer Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. She asked if I was interested, and I said YES!
Unlike traditional riding therapy, my sessions were ground-based. I began with grooming and then learned how to use the Masterson Methods to learn to recognize and use the responses of the horse to find and release tension. In every session, I tried to breathe and connect with the horse, feeling the tension in my body echo the tension in theirs.
Being fully present in my body while connecting with the horse was challenging. I had to move through not only my own fears and conditioning but the horse’s as well. I realized that this presence—the connection between body, breath, and awareness—is the foundation of what I teach in my studio and what I strive for every time I perform.
Singing has such a powerful way of bringing us into the present moment—to connect with our breath, our bodies, our hearts, and our souls.
Exactly one month ago, Jane Goodall passed away—a rock star of connection and presence. I watched both the 2017 and 2020 documentaries about her with my daughter this month, who is interested in ecology. Dr. Goodall’s brilliant life, passion, heart, intelligence, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire me. Her words echo in my mind:
“I truly believe that it's only when head and heart work in harmony that we can achieve our true human potential.”
— Jane Goodall
This quote reflects my deep belief in the healing power of embodiment. The more we heal, the easier it becomes for our hearts and souls to be fully present in our bodies. It’s humanity’s great challenge—how do we connect our brilliant minds with our hearts to live balanced and alive?!
I don’t know that I have the answer, but my affirmation “I Am Held” resonates deeply with this idea. I created a special gift just for my newsletter friends—a full-length recording of that affirmation. 💜
I’m becoming more and more aware of how much I long to fully embody the light within me and let it flow freely in the present moment when I sing. If you’ve ever trained as a singer, you know how many things there are to think about, master, and synthesize.
A few years ago, I attended a master class with Frederica von Stade, one of America’s most celebrated opera singers. During the Q&A, I asked her how often she felt completely “in the flow” during her lifetime of performances. She smiled and said, “Only about three—and after each, there was a near accident on stage because I forgot what was coming next.”
Opera and musical theatre singing are hard. There’s so much to remember and integrate. I love the challenge of embodying a character and bringing a role to life—but something feels profoundly right when I sit down, play, and sing my own original songs.
The Dream
Buried
deep,
deep
down.
An eluding vision haunting me in daylight,
heard faintly in the song of the wind,
growling in the pit of my stomach,
shimmering in pools of encountered eyes.
Blinded in the spotlight
of the world’s promises,
I stumble to find my light
in the seen and known.
But a jarring fall brings
painful
humiliating darkness.
Vainly I grope
in the blackness.
Wishing for escape,
desperate to see the way ahead,
obliteration surrounds me.
A smothering
nothingness,
a trail
not chosen
on a path of tears.
Here,
the dream
is sight.
Felt — not seen,
reverberating
resounding
penetrating
every pore
until my very soul
becomes
the dream
I am seeking.
And in fact,
has forever been
and forever will be
my internal
shining
— A poem from my new book, The Light Between the Lines!
My new spiritual book of poetry is a companion of sorts to my album Rising Free. It is a deeply personal, poetic journey of my healing, of my journey to follow my dream and to find my very own embodied authentic voice. I hope that these words will resonate with you and inspire your own journey.💜
Signed copies are now available for pre-order exclusively on my website. Orders will ship by Dec. 1st!
If you’d like me to personalize a signature for a gift, click Add a note when ordering.
And here’s something special for my newsletter friends — in next month’s email, every subscriber will receive a free download of my audiobook companion. 💜
I’m also thrilled to share that I’ll be attending the Iowa Music Awards ceremony on November 9th, where I’ve been nominated in three categories: Best Female Vocalist, Best Inspirational Single, and Best Traditional Album.
While it would be amazing to win, I’m already so proud just to have shared my music with the world. It’s been an extremely challenging journey—one that I feel my whole life has been preparing me for—but it has opened so many doors and propelled my own healing forward in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I feel more aligned and rooted than ever:)
So many exciting things are happening here in the studio in Iowa City — if you’re local, be sure to check them out below!
Light up your torches as we enter the darkness and please know that I am sending lots and lots of light and love to each and every one of you 💜🔥,
Iowa Local Opportunities!
Our next Voices of Healing Singing Circle will gather tomorrow—Nov. 2nd!
We had an incredible session last month and I’d love to have you join us 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 Nov. 30th 5pm-Singing Playground Class @ Studio
Sunday Dec. 7th 7pm-Studio Concert @ Riverside
Saturday Jan. 3rd 6pm-Sing Along Christmas Party @ Knights
Sunday May 3rd 7pm-Studio Concert @ Riverside
Our last Singing Playground Class for this semester is on Nov. 30th at 5pm and will be a great way to prepare your performance for the concert on Dec. 7th!
We had a wonderful class this month. One of the participants who came for the first time shared this with me:
"Thanks for including me in the Singing Playground, Mary Jane! It was a delightful experience—encouraging, fun, and useful. And there was a lot to glean both from hearing others' perspectives and from offering feedback. Before participating, I didn't think a group session could have benefits that I wouldn't get more of in a private lesson, but there were so many textures to it. The other participants made me feel really good, but their comments also gave me new insight into some of the things I've been working on."
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!
And our studio concert is coming up soon! DEC. 7th!
Let me know that you are committed to performing by filling out this form!
I’m already so excited and looking forward to a wonderful night!
And as always, please reach out with any questions!
💜Mj
