Published Choral Work “I Choose”

In the summer of 2024, my colleague asked me to consider writing a song for our students’ American Orff Schulwerk national performance, and the song came together in 24 hours. I resonated with the word “choose” and began to think of what choice means to children, and what I hope for all children. With the teaching method of Orff Schulwerk being grounded in singing, dancing and playing, it was easy to add those words. But in the face of an unknown future, I thought about what I hoped for all children; what I see in my own classroom, with my colleagues, with my family and children: to laugh out loud, to be ourselves and proud of our decisions, and together as a community, always inviting others.

I am a cis-het white ally, a childhood cancer survivor, a musician and a dancer, and I write from all of those identities. When I woke from my childhood cancer surgery,I was given a new chance to dance and live brightly, sharing  a love for life that is never a guarantee. I grew up churched, and community was built through song. As a mother, I wish for my children a joyful, thoughtful and loving life. As I grew in my allyship, I saw a chance to build community through songs of hope and truly seeing each other. During the pandemic of 2020, I began to write songs focused on social-emotional health and since have produced two albums. The world can feel so incredibly overwhelming, but I find a bit of light when we create music together.