Mindfulness & Trauma-Informed Music Lessons

I can't teach music theory or specific songs, but I can help you find your musical path mindfully. We explore thoughts as we play and offer trauma-informed support. Perfect for beginners unsure of which instrument to try. My unique melodies and songs have been used in yoga, meditation, and psychedelic ceremonies.

My Instruments Your Medicine

• Guitar 

• Ukulele 

• Dulcimer

• Charango

• Shrudi box

• Hang 

• Voice/ Scat and Improv  

• Kalimba
  
  

I feel very confident to work with you if you a blind!

Music  Exploration
This is perfect for people who want get an idea how each instrument is played, how it feels and what the cost of it would be. The session is crafted to your own need and should be discussed before start so we can set some goals for the session.

String instruments are fun to play for all ages. Not sure whether you want to start to play the Ukulele, Dulcimer or the Guitar? Try them all out and learn a little bit about my musical approach which doesn't require any music theory or previous experience of any kind. 

Exotic instruments such as the Shrudi box, Kalimba or Hang can be great for beginners or people who already have an string instrument and would like to try something new to their ears. No previous musical experience or theory required. 

Pan instruments  such as the Hang, Halo, Hapi or Space drum are my main instruments. The musical approach for each of these is the same. I will teach you how to play with muscle memory and find new patterns which can be beneficial for any pan instrument if you plan on getting one of them.

Try all my instruments!  

Here is what is available to you: 

• Guitar 

• 2 Ukuleles 

• Dulcimer 

• Shrudi box

• Hang 

• 3 Tibetan bowls  

• 2 different Kalimbas

• Juno Ds Synthesizer

• MPC LIVE

• Rc505 loop pedal 

• Strymon Big Sky reverb machine 

Outcomes 

• Getting a feeling for each instruments 

• Learning how to approach each instrument

• Removing barriers to start a new insrument 

• Understanding of sound waves

• Feeling inspiration to start music without notes

• Boundaries 

• Expression 

• Collaboration 

• Respect 

Cost

• 2  hours $ Sliding scale available

Listening With Our Whole Body

A Gentle Introduction to Music Through the Senses

Workshop Description

This workshop invites children to explore music in a safe, playful, and non-judgmental way. Instead of learning notes or needing to “play correctly,” children are encouraged to listen, feel, notice, and explore sound using their senses. No instruments are provided, I will only play and talk about an instrument, maybe do a guided sound journey with breathing exercise influenced by my mindfulness training. 

Using simple instruments, natural sounds, silence, and the body itself, we discover that music is not something we have to get right—it is something we can experience.

The workshop is guided with trauma-informed and mindfulness-based practices, meaning children are never forced to participate, perform, or explain themselves. Choice, safety, curiosity, and kindness are central. Children can join in actively, observe quietly, or take breaks as needed.

How We Explore Music

• Listening to sounds without naming or judging them

• Exploring sound through gentle movement and stillness

• Using everyday objects and simple instruments

• Noticing silence as part of music

• Paying attention to how sound feels in the body

There are no wrong sounds, no tests, and no expectations—only exploration.

Mindfulness & Trauma-Informed Approach

• Children are reminded they are always in control of their participation

• No loud or sudden sounds without preparation

• Emphasis on safety, predictability, and respect

• Encouraging awareness of the present moment through the senses

• Supporting emotional regulation through rhythm, breath, and grounding sounds
  
  

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, children may:

• 🌱 Feel safer and more relaxed around music and sound

• 🎧 Develop deeper listening skills using hearing, touch, and awareness

• 🌬️ Learn simple grounding tools using sound and breath

• 🎶 Experience music as something expressive, not performative

• 🧠 Increase body awareness and emotional regulation

• 💛 Build confidence through choice and self-expression

• 🤝 Practice respectful listening—to sounds and to one another

Why This Matters

For many children, especially those who have experienced stress or overwhelm, traditional music education can feel intimidating. This workshop offers an alternative: music as a space for safety, curiosity, and connection, rather than pressure or performance.

Listening With Our Whole Body

A Mindful and Gentle Music Experience for Older Adults

Program Description

This program offers residents a calm, welcoming space to explore music without pressure, performance, or the need for musical experience. Rather than focusing on songs, notes, or memory recall, the sessions invite participants to experience sound through listening, sensation, presence, and gentle curiosity.

Music is approached as something we can feel, notice, and respond to, using the body and senses—at each person’s own pace. Participation is always optional: residents may actively engage, quietly listen, or simply rest with the sounds.

The program is guided using trauma-informed and mindfulness-based principles, supporting emotional regulation, safety, and dignity—especially important for individuals living with cognitive change, grief, or chronic stress.

How We Explore Music

• Listening to sounds without needing to name or analyze them

• Feeling vibration through hands, breath, and posture

• Using simple instruments, natural sounds, and silence

• Gentle rhythm through tapping, humming, or breath

• Mindful listening as a form of relaxation and presence

• Honoring silence as part of the musical experience

No musical skill is required. There are no right or wrong sounds.

Trauma-Informed & Mindfulness-Based Approach

• Clear structure and gentle pacing

• No forced participation or spotlighting

• Respect for physical, emotional, and cognitive boundaries

• Predictable sessions with room for flexibility

• Emphasis on choice, safety, and respect

• Supportive of residents with memory loss, anxiety, or sensory sensitivity
  
  

Collaboration With Existing Programs

This program is designed to complement and integrate with existing offerings within the residence, such as:

• Recreational and leisure programming
  
  

• Wellness and mindfulness activities

• Art therapy or expressive arts groups

• Memory care and dementia-support programs

• Spiritual care or reflective groups

Sessions can be adapted in length, format, and intensity, and can be co-facilitated or aligned with current staff goals and resident needs. Communication and collaboration with activity coordinators, caregivers, and therapeutic staff are central to the program’s success.

Potential Outcomes

Residents may experience:

• 🌿 Increased calm and relaxation

• 🎧 Improved sensory awareness and present-moment engagement

• 💛 Emotional comfort without needing verbal expression

• 🫶 A sense of connection—to sound, to self, and to others

• 🌬️ Gentle support for nervous system regulation

• 🎶 Renewed relationship with music that feels safe and accessible
  
  

Why This Approach Matters

Many older adults carry life experiences, losses, or health changes that make traditional music programs feel overstimulating or emotionally demanding. This program offers a softer alternative—
music as presence, not performance—meeting residents where they are, moment by moment.

The Pocket Sketchbook Workshop is fun and easy to do with quick result, you only require paper and elastics for the binding. If possible cardboard would be required for people who want to do a hard cover version.

Outcome

• Sketchbook 

• Journal 

Cost

• $ Sliding scale available

My drawing workshop is for all ages who are interested in learning how to create fun characters, caricatures and comics. In this workshop we focus on simple stick figures.  Approx 60 min.

Outcome

• Participants learn how to do their personal stick figure super hero

• Learn a few basics about character design and expression  

• Learn how to express emotions through drawing 

• Will be able to express through stick figures  

• For older participants, childhood memories may come up

Cost

• $ Sliding scale available

Please watch the Youtube instructions video for the Pop Up and Flip Note video tutorial. This is a simple and easy workshop that can be used for any upcoming birthday, Christmas , Mothers and Fathers day. In this workshop we will utilize pen, sizer and scrap paper. Approx time 60 min 

Outcome

• Greeting card for any upcoming event

• Pop up card for any upcoming event

• Fine motor skills  

• Creative expression for friends and family

• Making someone else happy 

• FUN FUN FUN FUN

Cost

• $ sliding scale available

Therapeutic benefits of singing are release of stress, anxiety, cognition,  shyness, boosts self-esteem and immune system, overall health and well being. This works well for all ages, since it promotes team building, social bonding, releasing build up stress between people in the group. The exploration of sound and your voice is overall rewarding and just fun.

You can do all kinds of sounds with your mouth you won’t believe exist, but also use percussive or other instruments you have available. Or simply try to mimic instruments and percussive sounds such as drums, trumpet, guitar, shaker, synth etc.  

Overall this workshop will bring people together through laughter and promotes social bonding and release of stress and anxiety. This workshop is great for people with all kinds of diverse abilities, no music skills required.

Outcome: 

• Promotes personal growth 

• Promotes laughter 

• Boost of immune system, overall health

• Helps to overcome overthinking 

• Release of stress & anxiety

• Connecting the group or reconnecting a team   

• Overcome Shyness

• Boost of self-esteem

• A sense for rythm

• Creating interest in starting to play music 

Cost:

• 1.5h Group or Individual Workshop - sliding scale 

Regardless which string instrument you have, Guitar, Ukulele or Dulcimer, my approach is the same - Improvised without music theory. 

This workshop is for all ages and best suited for people who want to learn more about my approach. Interested in this workshop, click here! Approx time 60 min

Outcome

• Learn how to play the string instrument of your choice 

• Improvise and explore through play

• Find your voice through any string instrument

• Find a new passion and way to express your self 

• A great for self care

• Creating music will boost your immune system 

Cost

• $ Sliding scale available