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Welcome to my blog page!

This is a place where I want to share my reflections and experiences on improvising, singing, performing and living as a teaching artist with low vision.

My hope is that by sharing my experiences, I can offer you another perspective.

I love teaching, and I decided to follow an artistic path. On my path, I have taken a number of detours and unexpected turns but it continues to be a fulfilling journey. Many years ago, I made a conscious choice that I would rather live to work than work to live. It's not always easy but it's incredibly rewarding. I learn every day from the people I meet, and the music I create.

I hope you enjoy it!

Irene

All Posts

Laptop on a piano keyboard displays sheet music with lyrics, including Far away, long and glowing dim, in a dim room.

Laptop on a piano keyboard displays sheet music with lyrics, including Far away, long and glowing dim, in a dim room.

Practicing Patience

In my practice of daily meditation and affirmations, I have started to follow the work of personal growth mentor and author Jonathan Lehmann who uses guided meditation and affirmations that have helped me refocus my energy and become more calm and happy.

11 minutes ago3 min read

a woman sitting on a bench on a patio playing a guitar.

a woman sitting on a bench on a patio playing a guitar.

Generative Music

I begin every practice, lesson and group session with time for centering. That is taking the time to notice what is going on inside of you, the energy source, because that is what you will generate in your sound and presence.

Sep 42 min read

Colorful quilt of a smiling sun with purple, green, and red heart music notes on a blue starry background with shooting stars

Colorful quilt of a smiling sun with purple, green, and red heart music notes on a blue starry background with shooting stars

I Am My Sound

Playing improvised music can be a joyful, nerve wracking, fun, uplifting and even intense experience. We learn so much about ourselves through the process.

Aug 146 min read

Ebb & Flow

Ebb & Flow

Ebb & Flow

It has been awhile since I last sat down to write, and so much is changing. Since I turned 60, it feels like the ground I have been standing on is shifting. Priorities change.

Jul 184 min read

Bright red poinsettias fill the frame near a lace-curtained window, creating a lively, festive atmosphere with a glimpse of trees outside.

Bright red poinsettias fill the frame near a lace-curtained window, creating a lively, festive atmosphere with a glimpse of trees outside.

Wishing you Peace, Light & Inspiration this Holiday Season

As we reach the winter solstice, we look forward to lengthening days. The cold and darkness makes us appreciate the company of others in warmth and conviviality. The older I get, the less I care about all the expectations of the holiday season. I just look forward to sharing cheer and music.

Dec 20, 20252 min read

Autumn scene with trees displaying yellow and orange leaves against a blue sky. A path leads through a park with a grassy field.

Autumn scene with trees displaying yellow and orange leaves against a blue sky. A path leads through a park with a grassy field.

Reaching Out

I begin by asking you to think about your usual morning routine. Like me, you might not give it much thought. I get up, drink a big glass of water, stretch, tone, exercise and meditate. I enjoy a morning coffee with frothy warm milk, a bowl of cereal and fruit.

Nov 6, 20253 min read

What’s the Rush?

I have always been self-conscious about the effort it takes to accomplish many mundane tasks. Usually they are tasks that involve organizational planning, spatial awareness, visual acuity, and gross and fine motor skills.

Oct 10, 20251 min read

Scrabble board with six tiles showing musical notes. Tiles on bonus squares labeled "Double Letter," "Double Word," and "Triple Letter."

Scrabble board with six tiles showing musical notes. Tiles on bonus squares labeled "Double Letter," "Double Word," and "Triple Letter."

Wordscapes

Words can be ssooooooo evocative. When I read poetry, inspirational writing or autobiographies, it’s as though I can hear the writer’s voice in my head.

Oct 10, 20253 min read

Black 3D musical notes scattered on a gray surface, creating a harmonious and artistic pattern.

Black 3D musical notes scattered on a gray surface, creating a harmonious and artistic pattern.

Notes

Notes are reminders, cues, pieces of information to be recalled, requests, instructions, messages, secret messages, messages of love…

Oct 3, 20253 min read

Cute blue elephant holding a smiling theater mask with its trunk against a vibrant orange, textured background. Playful and whimsical mood.

Cute blue elephant holding a smiling theater mask with its trunk against a vibrant orange, textured background. Playful and whimsical mood.

Unmasking the Elephant

Smile little elephant! You are pleasing and cute! Awkwardness and flaws A smile dilutes.

Sep 26, 20251 min read

Yellow flowers in foreground with lush green forest and distant mountains under a blue sky. Peaceful, natural setting.

Yellow flowers in foreground with lush green forest and distant mountains under a blue sky. Peaceful, natural setting.

Tuning In

A group of about 15 of us gathered in the beautiful concert hall at Wildacres Retreat in Little Switzerland. I ask everyone to come into a circle and begin to sing gently on the vowel “ooh”.

Sep 26, 20253 min read

Trees in the foreground with a view of green mountains and cloudy sky in the background, seen from a wooden deck railing. Calm, natural setting.

Trees in the foreground with a view of green mountains and cloudy sky in the background, seen from a wooden deck railing. Calm, natural setting.

Musical Self Care

As I was preparing to give a client a sound bath she asked me whether giving sound baths helped me. Without a pause, I blurted “absolutely”.

Sep 19, 20254 min read

People enjoy dancing in a spacious room with red curtains. They smile and move energetically, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.

People enjoy dancing in a spacious room with red curtains. They smile and move energetically, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.

Living Music & Cultivating Universal Design for Music Learning

We just completed the second week of classes at Concordia University. I am teaching individual voice lessons, Private Study, to a wonderfully varied group of students.

Sep 12, 20254 min read

Home studio with computer, keyboard, guitar, and headphones on wooden desks. Red patterned rug, wall art, and notes create a cozy mood.

Home studio with computer, keyboard, guitar, and headphones on wooden desks. Red patterned rug, wall art, and notes create a cozy mood.

A Powerful Reminder

It’s March 2020, I’m sitting alone in my home in a strange state of shock. I’m not allowed to go out, and even if I could go out, there’s nowhere for me to go.

Sep 5, 20253 min read

Scenic view of a forested valley with a river running through it, small village below, and cloudy blue skies above. A rainbow is faintly visible.

Scenic view of a forested valley with a river running through it, small village below, and cloudy blue skies above. A rainbow is faintly visible.

It’s All Right There in Front of Us…

I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places in Europe, South East Asia, the US, and across Canada. It’s wonderful to experience new places and learn about how people perceive, create and live in the world around them.

Aug 29, 20253 min read

Group of people joyfully posing with arms outstretched in a music room with drums, keyboard, and framed artwork on walls.

Group of people joyfully posing with arms outstretched in a music room with drums, keyboard, and framed artwork on walls.

Transitions

As I move from summer to fall, I’m doing all I can to savor every last bit of warm sunshine and blue skies with a heart that is happy, wistful and excited.

Aug 21, 20253 min read

Large group of smiling people holding musical instruments in a wooden hall. Joyful atmosphere with lively poses.

Large group of smiling people holding musical instruments in a wooden hall. Joyful atmosphere with lively poses.

Midsummer - Midlife

Slow down! Why is that so hard to do? To Just be? Is it fear of letting go? Is it fear of loss?

Aug 8, 20253 min read

Person playing a singing bowl in a room with a window and ornate moldings. Various instruments and items are placed on the floor.

Person playing a singing bowl in a room with a window and ornate moldings. Various instruments and items are placed on the floor.

Hope

At this same time last year I was running between work, caring for my mom, and going to the hospital to be with my brother who died of Stage IV cancer. He passed on September 2, 2024, and since then my life has been a whirlwind of change.

Jun 13, 20253 min read

Colorful swirls of orange, blue, and yellow surround a black musical staff with notes, creating a vibrant, energetic mood.

Colorful swirls of orange, blue, and yellow surround a black musical staff with notes, creating a vibrant, energetic mood.

On Harmony

Singing harmony can be intimidating, even overwhelming for some. The only way to get good at it is by diving in and doing it - especially in an encouraging environment where “wrong notes” open pathways to learning.

Jun 6, 20253 min read

People dance energetically with colorful scarves in a room with wooden floors and red curtains. Bright windows and chairs in the background.

People dance energetically with colorful scarves in a room with wooden floors and red curtains. Bright windows and chairs in the background.

A Little Play Goes a Long Way

I started out musically as an improviser, in fact we all do, and in our own way. As a child I made up songs and put on shows for my family. My parents thought I was cute and funny. It was when I sought guidance from my mother, and then my uncle who was a professional singer that my self doubts started to shut me down.

May 30, 20258 min read

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