Coming Home to Voice;
Coming Home to Self
We come into this world making sound – the purest of cries, announcing to the world, “ I am here.” How this “I am here” plays out throughout our life over the years creates a tapestry of story and sound.
My particular “I am here” story is that of a bright, creative little girl in a vibrant middle class family that tumbled when I was a pre-teen. Loss and trauma darkened my capacity for joy for many years. But the drive within to recover my creative self was strong and persistent and led me to a career of using the arts as a vehicle of transformation, for myself and for others. The vocation of wounded healer called me.
One of my early voice teachers, Merita Gunter of the Roy Hart Theatre, described the human voice as “the mirror and the muscle of the soul.” My encounter in my early 30s with Merita and other distinguished teachers of the RHT changed my life. I had already encountered the work of Carl Jung and was committed to a journey toward individuation. A deep exploration of my voice offered an experiential path toward individuation -- toward healing and wholeness in both therapeutic and artistic ways. Thus, my interest and expertise in working with women and voice comes from a deep place within.
“BE YOUR NOTE”
– Rumi
Remember the lips where wind-breath
originated, and let your note be clear.
Don’t try to end it.
Be your note.
I’ll show you how it’s enough.
Go up on the roof at night
in this city of the soul.
Let everyone climb on their roofs
and sing their notes.
Sing loud!