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

I am for sure a country music fan. I grew up listening to a lot of different genres of music like classic rock, pop, classical, heavy rock, and piano ballads but country music speaks to me on a different level. Some of my favorite bands/artists at the moment are Chris Stapleton, Madeline Edwards, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Zach Top, The Chicks, Fleetwood Mac, etc. But My all time inspirations have come from artists like Adele, Sara Barelies, and Alicia Keys.

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

Music had always been a part of my life. I grew up in singing lessons starting at the age of 1 and then immediately took to piano lessons by the age of 5, which I did for years following. I played countless recitals, charity events, and even family reunions growing up before my diagnosis. Performing was in my blood, and I was not shy to get on stage and give it my best effort. It was a creative outlet for me as a child and that love only continued to grow.

Can you share a little bit about your cancer story?

I was diagnosed with a rare rib sarcoma cancer when I had just turned 12 years old. It had been pushing out my shoulder blade and compressing my entire left lung so when I went to sing and take a deep breath, my inhalation would get cut off. That’s when I knew something was really wrong. I went into treatment pretty immediately, which included 15 rounds of chemotherapy, 6 weeks of proton radiation, and a few massive surgeries to remove the tumor. Something I can say that I am very proud of is I spent 11 months in the hospital but never experienced a birthday there. Music was one of the main tools that got me through that time. Working with the music therapist was very eye opening, on how music can heal the soul. I wrote my very first song sitting in the hospital bed on my new ukulele gifted to me by my grandparents, about how much I hated being there. Sort of as a joke to make light of the situation, but that creativity blossomed into an even bigger passion as I got older.

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

It only made my relationship grow. I had already had a love for music, but this intensified that love. It helped me cope with the trials of dealing with a very aggressive disease, as well as the emotional tolls that it can take on you. Creative wise, it opened up my imagination to a new way of thinking and allowed me to explore aspects of my mind that I had never used before by creating stories that didn’t have to always relate to what I was dealing with.
5. What led you to join Play It Back, and what are you hoping to get out of the experience?
(Creative goals, connection, just having fun — anything goes.)

I am not as involved with Play it Back as I used to be, but back in 2020 when I was really included, I made lots of great friends, got to collaborate with one another on songwriting and music production projects, build lasting relationships in the industry, and gain insights on creative processes which was really fun. To this day I still talk regularly to a few of the early on members and catch up about music. It’s a great community to be in and have for a lifetime.

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

I want nothing more than to make relatable, inspiring, catchy, songwriting driven songs that are in the country genre. Something about country music that is arguably not in any other style of music is the importance of THE SONG. Yes the music is also important in relaying the message, but the lyrics are where the meaning is. You can take any song and find meaning in it if you look for it. But it’s country music that puts the story in front of your face to dissect. You just have to take it. That’s what I love about it. Take George Jones or Keith Whitley for example. High quality story tellers with fascinating hooks and phrasing. For me, a song does not land lyrically or melodically if the hook isn’t strong enough. That is the most important part of the entire piece. What are you trying to tell your audience? What will they take away from it? Is it memorable? Is it lasting? Are you saying something that has been said before but in a way that has never been said before? These are all questions I ask myself when Im writing. And that is what I want release in my songs.