Singing is my passion; it's one of the reasons I live and breathe. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and there are many reasons why that is the case. I enjoy listening to music, but there's something about singing music, whether it be singing an original song or mine or a cover of another song, that makes me feel alive. Everything else fades away and I'm left with the good that is in the world.

Five and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on my lower spine. I had to have proton beam radiation treatment, two surgeries, and then more radiation treatment. During this time, I received music therapy. A music therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital came and worked with me at the hospital. I still believe to this day that I would not have survived without music therapy. Lying down on a hospital table for a long amount of time during radiation caused my hips an excruciating pain. Whenever I worked with my music therapist at MGH, the pain from radiation instantly went away. I sang Taylor Swift songs and played the harp. One song that really resonated with me and helped me get through cancer is the song Mean by Taylor Swift. I pictured my tumor being defeated and me surviving, and, thank goodness, I survived!

Now that I am five and a half years out of cancer treatment, I am involved with this non-profit organization called Next Step. Next Step provides music therapy among other services to young adults living with life-threatening illnesses. I have received music therapy there with another awesome music therapist. Having music therapy now helps me extremely to manage life after cancer. Now, I am writing and recording my own original songs. I like to pretend that I'm Taylor Swift. It's a thing.

The point is, music has helped me cope with numerous challenges I have had to face. It helped me get through the pain, and now, music is helping me grow and express my feelings. Singing is a way for me to figure out my emotions and to express what I am feeling.

I'll leave you with a quote:

~"The only thing better than singing is more singing." - Ella Fitzgerald ~