by Rachel | Uncategorized
Yep, those are my feet, and this is my favorite summer vacation spot…my mom’s pool. Although it’s only two blocks away, I haven’t spent nearly enough time there this summer. I can’t complain, though: I have been lucky to work on several music-related projects that have been both challenging and extremely fulfilling, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the summer months.
Yesterday was a great day; I wrapped up one of the big projects that has required almost all of my time in the last couple of weeks. Now that it is “in the vault”, I am finally allowing myself to chill and enjoy my downtime. I am determined to fit in all of the activities that really embody this season for me, including laying by the aforementioned pool, reading magazines and various chick lit, shopping, and going for lazy bike rides around the neighborhood. I only have six days in which to do all of these things, but I have faith in myself :)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
If you’ve been here before, then you are sure to have read about the project I am hoping to bring to life. I’m using Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform, to raise $2,000 in order to professionally record and distribute a CD of songs for children with autism and other disabilities, free of cost. My life’s work is all about helping children through music, so making this happen would be a dream come true.
So far, in just over a month, I have raised $1,275. I am over 60% of the way to my goal, and I have until October 8 to meet it (otherwise I don’t get any of the funds already pledged). I still have 55 days left, and I’m really hoping to surpass the goal so that I can include more songs and distribute even more CDs.
After doing some research, I have chosen a recording studio and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Jim Callahan, the owner of Jupiter Studios in St. Louis, MO, has agreed to take on the project. And not only that, but because he believes in what I’m doing, he is willing to make it work within my budget.
The generosity of my readers, friends and family has amazed me to no end, and there’s just a little way to go. Only $725!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Whew! What a whirlwind this last week has been. I can’t believe that I haven’t posted in so long – I’ve missed my little blog. Let me tell you what I’ve been up to since the month began…
Zach and I attended the out-of-town wedding of our good friends, Doug and Jill. We got to see lots of old friends, and the entire weekend was a blast.
Our nephew, Mason, turned 1! We attended his birthday party, and I don’t think I’ve seen more toddler toys in one room than I did at this celebration. Mason is one spoiled little boy :)
We celebrated our one-year anniversary with an amazing weekend in St. Louis! Zach planned the entire trip, and each element was a surprise. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, where he proposed to me two years ago, and we visited the Botanical Gardens, the City Museum, and Forest Park along with several delicious meals. Oh, and our wedding cake still tasted great.
More Mason! We attended the little guy’s christening this past Sunday, and boy was he a good sport. Thank goodness he has a real affinity for water…he wasn’t bothered one bit by the ritual.
I’m pretty sure that my life is going to slow down a bit after the recent flurry of events; at least I hope so. Once I go back to school (next Thursday!) I will settle into a routine, and that includes regular blogging. Though I definitely have mixed emotions about the end of summer, I am looking forward to having a schedule on which I can depend. But for now, it’s time to get back to work! I need to take care of business so that I can enjoy the last carefree days of summer come Friday :)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
If you live in Springfield and happened to watch the news tonight, you’ve already seen this. But for my long-distance readers: you can see the story for yourselves HERE. I’m so proud to share the work I do with my community, especially since music therapy is not as established in Springfield as it is in other places. Any chance I get to spread the word about the positive effects of music, I gladly take it!
If you are new to Listen & Learn, thanks for visiting. Please let me know if you have any questions about music therapy or the songs I write by sending me an email. Also, be sure to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I was thrilled – overjoyed, actually – when my Kickstarter project reached $1,000 in donations. You can see it in my face, right? The pledges continued to roll in until I hit $1,200, where I’ve been for the last few days.
In order to give my Kickstarter quest a bit of a kick into gear, I’m offering a free song download of your choice to those of you who contribute to my cause (recording and distributing a CD especially for children with autism and other disabilities) between now and Friday. You have four days! Just be sure to shoot me an email with your song choice after you’ve made your pledge. Unlike the song download that is rewarded to those who donate if and when the project is completed, this one will be available as soon as I receive your email.
So GO HERE to make a pledge, or to read more about my project before you make your decision. Oh, and as always, thank you for your support!!!
Yep, those are my feet, and this is my favorite summer vacation spot…my mom’s pool. Although it’s only two blocks away, I haven’t spent nearly enough time there this summer. I can’t complain, though: I have been lucky to work on several music-related projects that have been both challenging and extremely fulfilling, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the summer months.
