January is definitely not my ideal restart time. The Spring Equinox, March 21, when there’s more light, more blooming, more warmth… that seems more appropriate for clear headed goal setting. (I’m pretty sure you’ll see me griping this point in January posts of yore.)

And yet, here we are culturally asked to make some goals when it’s cold and rainy and dark and all I want to do is lie on the couch and binge-watch TV shows and movies! (Thanks Gregorians!) Fortunately for me, I got to do plenty of that in the last 10 days of 2020, had less family stress time than usual, and I feel rested and energized!

If you’re not done with resting, may I recommend Bridgerton and The Magicians and Teenage Bounty Hunters on Netflix and Killing Eve on Hulu. Apparently sex, magic and violence are very relaxing for me! TMI?

Oh, I took stock too! Attended an awesome online retreat hosted by the School of Bravery reflecting on the Highs & Lows of 2020 and creating a Vision of Possibility for 2021. Guess what?! There were lots of highs in 2020. I was starting to feel a little bad for poor 2020. It had potential, it had good even numbering. IT didn’t vote for people who are crazy; IT didn’t create a life-altering/ending virus. Alas.

Maybe I was lucky. As hard and dark as many days were, my work thrived, I moved into a new home, my trio, Sweetgrass Serenade, put out our first album, HOME, and I have a passel of loving and dear friends. Even had the website updated with a fun new look! Mom’s Alzheimer’s was the hardest part - to manage, live with, grieve over, and that was going to be hard in any year, and will continue this year too. Certainly the collective frustration and grief over our country’s injustices and infighting were a heavy weight too. My heart goes out to all who have had loved ones die from this virus and gratitude for our front-line workers taking care of all the rest of us. And, even though 2020 is gone, the virus isn’t. Please wear your masks and be safe!

Making major shifts to teaching online and looking at a screen all day wasn’t easy, and I’m now using moisturizing eye drops to help with “dry-eye”. That’s an actual diagnosis! I wouldn’t say my eyes felt dry, but tired. That’s the #1 symptom of “dry-eye”.

Dry eyes aside, these changes gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I was doing and how I was doing it. I created some classes in late summer and fall to fit the needs of clients and found great value in group learning (thanks Zoom!).

I’ve always been empathetic, I’m a 9 on the Enneagram and habitually try and put myself in other people’s proverbial shoes to see what I can do. I’m also a Highly Sensitive Person. Sounds, tastes, emotions all run hot and high. And, I can get overwhelmed and shut it all down too. I see my sensitivity and empathetic nature and need for harmony to be great strengths in working with singers.

In reflecting on my clients and their needs this year, I found common threads. People wanted to have more confidence, have fun singing, feel connected to community, and feel like their voices were flexible and strong enough to sing what they wanted. And, that’s what we’re doing!

This year I have created a CORE curriculum for all clients to participate in in addition to their private or group sessions. Exploring how the body, mind and heart are all needed in singing, we will have three monthly classes covering SKILLS, how to get CONFIDENT and learn about and find CONNECTION.

The last ingredient is SOUL. And, that is YOU!

You can register just for the CORE classes and join in our exploration of singing (and healing!) or join a Group Class, and get more consistent personal attention and training. Is this your year?!

Oh, and if you’re looking for some Highs amongst all the 2020 Lows, the CORE curriculum and Group classes are available to EVERYONE, no matter where you are! Times posted are EST, as I’m in NC, USA.

In my Seasons of Bravery retreat this weekend, we were asked how we wanted to FEEL this year. I’m visioning a year in which LOVE, HOPE, SERENITY AND CONFIDENCE abide!

Will you join me?

Xoxo,
julie