Smooth Artist Interviews

How would you finish this sentence? “I don’t like to go a day without_________?

MUSIC - It’s like an old friend that never leaves your side and if you try to leave it, it will always call you back.  That’s been my life with music, my oldest and dearest friend. I have always played music because it has been a refuse, an escape, a friend, a love, a passion and at times, a hate.  

What aspect of the creative process, from concept to market, do you personally find to be the most rewarding?

I love to just sit down at the piano and play with no goal or agenda in mind.  It is at these times I turn on the Recorder du jour and just play.  I get my best ideas from these times and they are not forced.  I love bringing these ideas into my work sessions and developing the ideas to make an entire finished piece.  At the end of the day, I love sitting back and just listening to the recording I have made.  I listen to it over and over, in private of course, and just enjoy the moment.  

What are you most proud of at this point in your life and career?

I am the most proud of the fact that after years of thinking I had retired from recording and writing music I came back to tell my story through music.  I thought my life at this age would consist of playing with Grandchildren, sipping tea and a life of retirement.  But there was a different purpose for my life.  I had to redefine who I was, what I was going to do, and rediscover my purpose in life after my husband suddenly passed away in 2014.  I was able to work through letting go of the past and tell my story through my musical journey in my Album  “Fly Away Butterfly”.  I have heard from so many people that I have inspired them I want to keep writing and recording music that resonates with people.  

How would you describe what inspires you to do what you do?

Creating and playing music makes me feel alive. I grew up with a lot of drama and chaos in my life and playing the piano and singing was always an escape. Music has grounded me throughout all my life. I feel the happiest when I am creating new compositions and performing. Music brings me joy.  It expresses emotions that can’t be found in words.  

Is being one of the few prominent women performers mostly fulfilling, or do you find it to be a challenge?

I grew up in the "You’re pretty good for a girl" days. I have always worked to be the best I can at my writing and performing.  Sometimes I felt like I could never cross the "glass ceiling". At other times I was tougher because I knew I had to work hard to achieve my goals and dreams and take up for myself.  I still work on overcoming being intimidated by male players and try to stay focused on what it is that I have to offer the world that is unique to me.

What do you want to say to those who are thinking about redirecting their lives but think they are too old or it’s too late for them?

I did have a time of extreme difficulty with the loss of my husband and I think it’s important for people to hear that at any age you can pursue dreams you may have always had, that it’s never too late to pursue those dreams.  I just wanted to share that it’s possible to reach a place you’d given up on years ago. It’s possible to keep going when your life has crashed, it’s possible to be successful after you had given up, it’s possible to reach deep inside yourself and bring out your best work when you have felt there’s nothing left to give.