What inspired me to become a Therapeutic & Ceremonial Musician?

At my father's funeral, a gifted harpist, fellow CMP, and my dear friend, DeLuna played her harp. She was trained for this particular kind of work (as am I) and the therapeutic focus of the musical offerings really served us well. DeLuna was not playing as a performance, although her playing was beautiful, she played to soothe and calm us. When talking to a few people who attended the funeral, after the event had passed, the common experience was that they mentioned how the harp music touched them in ways that music playing on a machine just would not have.

Similarly

At my mother's funeral, two women were hired to sing at the ceremony. At this event, the grief was palpable as my mother was so dearly loved. My grief was as deep as well. I've never experienced how out of control I felt when I would feel a wave of grief rush through me and I would burst into tears that were like a river rushing through me.

The singing helped me get through the service with dignity. I was in such deep grief, especially as I was her caregiver for the last months of her life.

I remember the music at both of their funerals. I remember the reverence and those ladies holding the music space for those attending to be able to grieve in or go through their process as they needed to.

The Voice of the Flute

These powerful experiences impacted me. It is my privilege to provide live therapeutic music during times of grief and loss.

The flute to me is a beautiful sound gift that invites the listener to breathe with, tone to, or maybe even hum along to help harmonize their inner world.

Familiar songs are not part of the experience for this service. The sounds of the flute are reflections and illuminations of soul songs as they are calling to be sung, through the musician, and the flute.

Through the storm of the emotion of a life-changing event, music can provide a shore to look to, on the rough ocean of grief and anger. A glimmer of peace and stability can be offered through the gentle voice of native style flutes.

End-of-Life

Prior to a life transition, support is also an area where I am called to be of service. Here's just one story of many that I've been blessed to witness. In NH, my services were requested inside a senior living community which is a memory-care facility. 

I entered the resident's room and got a pulse of what was happening in the room. The lady who I was to play for was in her bed and was in her final hours of life. Her breathing was quiet but her posture was a little curious. She seemed to be oriented to one side and not centered nicely on her bed. Attending were (presumably) her adult daughter and son. They were in the middle of an argument as they stood right over her! They seems slightly put off by my sudden presence in the room.

I stayed near the door of the room instead of going right to her bedside.  I motioned to my flutes and nodded to them in hopes of permission to play for their mother. They nodded at me and so I had their consent to share the space with them at such a time. I set up and prepared myself. With my first flute I would play in my hands, I tuned-in to the lady on her bed and watched for a breath or any sign of life. A very occasional breath was all I could detect.

After a few centering breaths, I breathed into the flute. After just a few minutes, there was a shift in the room. First, the siblings argued more quietly, then there was space between their comments, then the comments drift away like wispy clouds into nothingness. My flute continued to carry the sounds I intended to transmit to bring peace to the hearts of the listeners.

The flute music brings harmony and beauty to life.

I have witnessed, again and again, the healing power of music for both the individual and the community.

What does it mean to be a Therapeutic Musician?

My training to become a Certified Music Practitioner is through the Music For Healing and Transition Program. In 2016 I earned by certification. 

Live therapeutic music creates a healing environment and is appropriate for:

• If your loved one is approaching end-of-life and is receiving hospice services 

• Your loved one has transitioned fully and you are setting up a celebration of life ceremony

• You love the sound of the flute and are grieving yourself and want therapeutic music for yourself to process your emotions

The Native American style flute, among other flutes have been played in ceremony for thousands of years. It touches the soul in a unique and organic way.