What kind of music do you love, and who are some of your favorite artists or bands?
It’s hard to say but I really love songs from most genres. I guess that would make me a pop person. But if I HAD to pick genres that I tend to listen to the most are indie, k-pop, r&b, and gospel.
Some artists I really like right now are:
Laundry Day – indie pop/rock
Beabadoobee – indie pop/rock
New Jeans – K-pop
Zelliack – Rock fusion
Dirty Loops – Jazz Fusion
Sufjan Stevens – lots of different genres (indie)
Stevie Wonder
Michael Jackson
Hannah Montana/Disney Channel Music – pop (NOT current Miley Cyrus)
90s and 2000s music in general
What was your relationship with music like before your cancer diagnosis?
I’ve had a strong interest in music for as long as I remember because I grew up going to church and we all sing and play instruments at church. I’ve been a music listener as a hobby since I was very young and started writing music when I was about 14 when I got my first acoustic guitar. Music has always been my primary interest in terms of hobbies and entertainment.
I have always thought that music is a way that God created for us to experience beauty. And beauty is good for the soul. Music makes me happy, entertained, and can be very cathartic as well when I listen to it during rough times.
Can you share a little bit about your cancer story?
– Diagnosed with Undifferentiated Leukemia Feb 2020, did my treatment during COVID pandemic
– Had a Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplant September 2020
– Post-treatment until now, Graft-vs-Host-Disease
Did your experience with cancer change your relationship with music in any way?
Being a part of Play-It-Back gave me something to do while I was sick! I mean that in a very significant way. I wasn’t able to work, and I was at home all the time. My job was basically to be a cancer patient. But meeting with Kenli weekly helped me have something I could work on and look forward to! It helped me feel like my time in treatment was special and not wasted!
What led you to join Play It Back, and what are you hoping to get out of the experience?
My social worker told me about it after she found out that I like music! I had written a few songs before and I always wanted to record them. But I didn’t know how! So it was perfect!
I hope to have a few recorded original songs under my belt that I can share with others. :) I also would love to get more experience playing my original songs live!
If you had to describe the kind of music you make or want to make, how would you describe it?
It’s hard to say! Ummmm chill pop music?
Anything else you want to share?
I’m currently in grad school! Studying theology and counseling.