Back on Track

I never thought life would turn this way. After leaving my marriage, I didn’t think there was more to come.

The afternoon after finishing my AnandaCello album, I received very strong guidance to step back from the Ananda spiritual community, 25 years to that day. I won’t go into the reasons, for they are not as important as it is for me to be on my own.

Within me lies a drive to awaken and resonate the spark that I feel come alive within me, though music.

When I decided to devote my life to music as a young adult, I was not strong enough to connect that burgeoning spark with my classical music scene. I was searching for a way to serve humanity in the best way possible, with as much impact as I could. I joined the musical storytelling troupe Tales & Scales and became a Suzuki teacher, but neither fully gave me what I was looking for.

When I found Ananda in my late 20’s, I instantly felt at home, and found myself able to express that spark so beautifully through the music there, working with meditators in choirs and orchestras. Those 25 years of teaching, directing, and producing albums gave me the foundation for all of the work I do now.

Then the pandemic came, and in-person music came to a grinding halt. I was living on my own, trying to keep the inspiration alive through zoom, but the spark faded quickly. As 2021 began to wind down, I had nothing left.

Through the darkening days of December I went within, facing many difficult emotions, fears, and truths.

Instead of finding myself weak and dependent, I began to experience my own strength, unknown to me until now. My heart began to find its way back to rest and healing.

And now as daylight returns, my life is filled with possibility as I reclaim my life-long trajectory. In the 6 weeks since finishing my AnandaCello album, I have written 2 more songs for my next solo album of my own music, to be completed by the end of this year. You can hear one of them here. I continue teaching my 30+ cello students, and look forward to more performance opportunities. I’m also developing Compassionate Performance for future presentations online and in person.

I marvel how the universe has supported me throughout each transition, and give thanks. I am choosing to celebrate each stage of growth, and treasure the knowledge and experience that each step brings. I am humbled all along the way, and am learning compassion like never before.

May your 2022 be filled with great possibility and opportunity to share your own spark.