What kind of music do you love, and who are some of your favorite artists or bands?

I love a wide variety of music—from pop and classical to jazz and folk. I listen to anything that inspires me or makes me want to dance. I live for that windows-down, music-turned-up kind of vibe. One of my all-time favorite songs is “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. There’s adventure embedded in that song—longing, nostalgia, and hope. It’s beautiful.

What was your relationship with music like before your cancer diagnosis?

Before cancer, my music mostly lived in my Notes app. I didn’t seriously consider songwriting, and I mostly listened to whatever was on the radio. I remember listening to the music my crush liked because I thought he was cool—but I didn’t really connect to it in a deep way. That said, I always had my headphones in and could memorize every lyric. Music was in my life, just not yet a central part of my identity.

Can you share a little bit about your cancer story?

I feel incredibly lucky that cancer is now just a chapter in my story. A very defining and intense chapter—but one I’ve moved through. It will always be a part of my identity and my biggest fear, but I’ve been gratefully in remission for six years and counting.

Did your experience with cancer change your relationship with music in any way?

Music became a lifeline—an escape, a form of expression, and proof that I was still here. I used to play the ukulele for hours in the hospital, sometimes until my fingers bled. I sang whatever came to mind and even duetted with the hospital custodian—his favorite was Adele. Music became a place to feel, to process, to heal.
After my first week of chemo, I had just lost my hair. My best friend and I went to a Harry Hudson concert. He’s a teenage cancer survivor and now a successful artist whose music I still adore. That concert changed everything. His lyrics hit me deeply, and for the first time, I felt hope—hope that I could have a life beyond illness. I’ll always be grateful to him for that, and I hope to one day offer others that same kind of inspiration.

What led you to join Play It Back, and what are you hoping to get out of the experience?

A good friend of mine who was also part of Play It Back introduced me to the program. She brought me into the studio—and with that, into a whole new world of creativity and expression. When she passed away, Play It Back became essential in my grieving process. I wrote to her. I sang to her. Music helped me stay connected to her.
Through Play It Back, I’ve found my voice—not just artistically, but personally. I hope to keep creating music as a form of self-expression, especially when words alone aren’t enough.

If you had to describe the kind of music you make or want to make, how would you describe it?

I want to make music that comes straight from the soul—music that makes people feel seen. I love when I hear a lyric and instantly think, Yes, they get it. That’s the kind of music I want to create. Honest, emotional, and deeply human.