From Dale Carnegie

"The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." -Dale Carnegie

Find my Lullabies on Ebay

My NAPPA gold award-winning lullabye CD "Land of Sleepytime...lullabies for the heart and soul" is now on Ebay!

Find the listing and get your copy today!

Fatigue and Vocal Ease

When you're physically tired your voice may feel tired too. All of our physical systems are interrelated, so it makes sense that low energy will produce a low energy voice.

If you use your voice for your profession i.e. you're a teacher, salesperson, work on the phone etc. - pay particular attention to how you feel physically.

When you're fatigued, make sure that you are breathing consciously and filling up with enough air to support your voice.

You'll also find that attention to your breath, and using low, slow and full breaths will not only powerfully support your voice, but will energize you in the process!

Want more voice tips? Sign up for my monthly Voicegram.

Make the Most of Today!

On this beautiful Spring day, this quote is perfect:

"There will never be another now - I'll make the most of today. There will never be another me - I'll make the most of myself."
- Rev. Robert Schuller

Music Helps Heal Stroke Victim

Here's yet another example of how music helps heal the body and mind. Read this article from NewsNet5:

Stroke Victim Helps Other Patients Heal Through Music
Man Says Music Was His Greatest Motivation In His Recovery

POSTED: 1:15 pm EDT April 12, 2007
UPDATED: 5:27 pm EDT April 12, 2007

CLEVELAND -- A man who spent weeks in the hospital fighting back from a stroke is now giving back to the place that helped him recover.

These days, Alan Scheussler walks into MetroHealth Medical Center, but he spent almost two months at Metro, barely able to move, reported NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth.

"I was in pretty bad shape. I couldn't talk, I couldn't see, I couldn't move. I thought I was gone, actually," said Scheussler.

Scheussler had a major stroke during bypass surgery in April 2004. It wasn't until a year and a half later that Scheussler's longtime passion would become his biggest motivator to get well.

"I couldn't give up on the guitar and I still can't. Music was my life before this happened to me," he said.

Scheussler's doctor, John Chae, said he noticed right away what the guitar did for his patient.

"When Alan had this motivation to play the guitar, he found new life," said Chae.

Scheussler is sharing his new life with other patients at Metro. Working as a therapist, he volunteers three times a week teaching other brain injury patients how to rehabilitate themselves through music.

Matt Dematte, 18, now plays better than he did before his car accident, and the tunes are a great break from his usual therapy.

"I know what patients want when they're down here because I know what I wanted when I was here," said Scheussler.

The music sure seems to heal and it keeps the patients even more interested in their rehabilitation.

"Now, as a scientist, I don't have the data to prove that it does, but as a clinician, you say, 'You know what, there's something here,'" said Chae.

You might wonder why someone who went through such a painful struggle would willingly come back to a hospital, but according to Scheussler, the answer is pretty simple.

"Volunteering here at MetroHealth is helping me as much as the patients here, I believe," he said. "I can see what music therapy can do for a patient, and it's amazing."

Scheussler was an electronic designer before his stroke. He said he will not be able to go back to his old career, so he's starting training for a new one as a medical laboratory technologist.

He is also continuing to volunteer at Metro.

Songwriting 101 in Santa Barbara

Beginning this Thursday I'll be teaching a four week Songwriting course in Santa Barbara, California. If you're in the area, or know a budding songwriter who is, come join us!

www.sbparksandrecreation.com • 805-564-5418
(Page 27 of the guide)

Here are some comments:

“Wonderful! Thanks for all your help and insight. I learned so much. I thoroughly enjoyed your knowledge and expertise, as well as input.” Traci

“This course encourages creativity and gives an impetus to start creating in individual ways. (Beth) really related to all students, finding positives, reinforcing etc. C.H.

Sing! It's Spring!

Spring is a time for new beginnings; to start something that you've put off; to do something that will bring you joy. Whether it's singing, dancing, golf, learning French - whatever you've wanted to do, but haven't made time for - DO IT NOW.

If you need a bit of inspiration, read my article "Spring Is The Time To Sing!".

Look around you and see that everything is stirring with new life, and you should be, too. Everyday is a new beginning. Start something new today.

The Wisdom of Goethe

What a great quote this is! It's always my theory that instilling confidence in my music students brings out the best in them, and empowers them to excel beyond even their own expectations.

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being." -Goethe

Saving Your Sanity 2

Do you take life too seriously? Have you forgotten that life should be a light-hearted journey? I think it's healthy to practice being childlike, and sometimes, downright silly!

If you need a little light in your life, try this:

As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk

Happy skipping!