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

My music taste is all about emotion over genre, that’s why my playlist jumps from Black Sabbath’s heavy metal to Norah Jones’ smooth jazz, from Rosalía’s Spanish pop to Joji’s sad-boy R&B. I love artists who aren’t afraid to be real and vulnerable, like Amy Winehouse’s raw honesty, Mon Laferte’s fearless style-mixing, or Lana Del Rey’s eccentric storytelling, because they use music to express real feelings instead of just trying to sound cool. I’m really into Latin music too, from classic boleros by artists like Chavela Vargas to modern artists like Natalia Lafourcade and Julieta Venegas. Music fits different moods for me. Sometimes I need Metallica’s intense energy, other times the chill vibes of Grimes or Crystal Castles. I think music should match whatever you’re feeling and help you through different moments in life.

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

Music has been my main form of self-expression for as long as I can remember. I grew up singing and performing in musical theater and choir in high school and college. There was something about being on stage and singing with others that was so fun and exciting. Singing gave me confidence, helped me work through feelings I couldn’t put into words, and created some of my most meaningful memories. Before my diagnosis, singing was a big part of my life.

Can you share a little bit about your cancer story?

I was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) during finals week in college, which felt like the worst possible timing. I had just finished my graduation ceremony and was living in San Francisco, ready to start my adult life in this amazing new city. I had plans, dreams, and was finally independent. Then suddenly everything came to a complete stop, and I had to move back home for treatment. One day I’m living my best life in SF, and the next I’m in a hospital bed trying to wrap my head around having cancer. It was challenging to go from feeling like I was finally launching into my future to having to pack up my new life and move back in with my parents. The timing made it even harder because I was in that exciting moment where you feel like your real adult life is just beginning, and then cancer forced me to hit pause on everything and go backwards.

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

Cancer definitely changed how I relate to music, but in a really positive way. It became this incredible outlet for me to express everything I was going through and put feelings into words that I couldn’t say any other way. I started writing more, and that process was so therapeutic. I could take all the challenging and overwhelming emotions and turn them into something meaningful. It was like having a safe space where I could be completely honest about what I was feeling. Writing and singing gave me back some control when everything else in my life felt so out of my hands.

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

I reached out to Play It Back because I was really missing singing and wanted to reconnect with that part of myself. After my diagnosis and treatment, I realized how much I missed the version of me who expressed herself through music. I wanted to find my way back to that creative space and remember who I was before cancer became such a big part of my story. It wasn’t about forgetting what I’d been through, but reconnecting with the parts of me that cancer couldn’t take away. I was excited to sing again with other people who might understand what it’s like to have your life interrupted and then want to find your way back to it.

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

I’d describe my music as soulful and honest with real storytelling at its heart. I’m influenced by artists like Alicia Keys and Mon LaFerte, so you’ll hear that melodic, catchy quality but with lyrics that actually mean something.

Anything else you want to share?

I’ve learned that it’s okay to not be perfect, and there’s actually beauty in imperfection. In music, those raw, unpolished moments are often what I love most about certain artists: the crack in someone’s voice, the vulnerability when they mess up but keep going. Going through cancer taught me that sometimes we’re our own worst critics, and I was putting so much pressure on myself to have everything figured out or to sound flawless every time I sang. But the truth is, the imperfect moments are often the most honest and moving ones. Whether it’s in my voice, my songwriting, or just how I’m handling life, I’m learning to embrace those messy, real parts instead of trying to hide them. They’re what make the music and the person authentic.