Some songs stay. Not because they’re the most difficult to play, or the most impressive to perform — but because they mark a shift. A beginning. A return. A quiet realization that something has changed. Over time, I wrote five individual posts about songs that shaped my relationship with music — not all at once, and not intentionally as a set. Only later did I realize they belonged together. Each song represents a different doorway:into confidence, into presence, into joy, into tenderness, into commitment. This…

This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story.  Recognizing Artistry, Integrity, and Ownership Some songs change your life quietly, and others announce themselves the moment you realize they’re staying with you forever. Love Story by Taylor Swift falls into both categories for me. While the song itself…

This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. The fourth song in this series is The Mother. Finding Truth, Purpose, and Belonging on Stage You might think The Mother is my favorite Brandi Carlile song, but it actually comes in behind The Story and Carried Me With You.…

This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story.  Letting Music Be Playful, Social, and Fun Surf is the third song that changed my life, largely because it reminded me that music can simply be fun. I learned this tune through an extra songbook at the ukulele jam—the…

This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. La Vie En Rose is the second song in this series. Learning to Be Brave in Front of Others La Vie En Rose has always carried special meaning for me—it was a favorite of my late mother, and long before…

This post is part of Five Songs That Changed My Life, a personal series reflecting on the music that guided me back to playing, performing, and sharing songs with others. The songs in this series unfold in order, beginning with Lava and ending with Love Story. Finding My Way Back to Music Through Simplicity and Aloha The Pixar short Lava, with music written by James Ford Murphy, tells the story of two volcanoes patiently waiting for love, separated by time and distance. On the surface, it’s…