Since the dawn of humanity, even when food was scarce and seeking shelter was a constant effort, humans made time for music, art, dance, and storytelling. Creative expression is a necessary part of our wellbeing, yet our modern day does not seem to have the same appreciation for art and music that is purely rooted in self-expression and community building as our ancestors did. It is my passion and calling to share the creative arts with the intention of rediscovering who we are, why we are here, and making meaning out of our experiences, joys, and struggles.
Through this program, each week we will engage with music and art in a variety of ways, such as group songwriting, poetry writing, sharing meaningful songs with each other, group drumming (if in person), drawing, and sharing with the group whatever is emerging. Though engaging with creative outlets may inherently lead to skill building, the goals of these groups will be to explore and process emotions, build community connections, and explore the relationship between creativity, spirituality, and our inner artist, inner child, and creative selves.
Who will this program benefit? This program is for anyone who has an interest in exploring new or familiar ways to express themselves creatively. This program is for anyone who is seeking a space to connect with others, to know that they are not alone in their experiences, and to be witnessed in the range of human emotions we carry through creative outlets. No prior experience with music or art is necessary, but is of course welcome and invited.
Prerequisites: None, anyone is welcome regardless of musical or artistic experience or “talents.”
Required / Suggested Reading: No required reading, but participants should have access to some kind of drawing material such as colored pencils, markers, crayons, pens, and paper.
Start / End Date: Jan 22 - Feb 19
Number of Classes: 5
Number of Participants: minimum 4 / maximum 10
Day/Time: Mondays, 2:00-3:00pm ET
Cost: $25 per individual session, or $100 for the full term
Location: Zoom; option for in-person for the last class
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About Vanessa: Vanessa Hale (they/them) is a board-certified music therapist, voice teacher, and singer from Brookline, NH. They are a nature lover, yogi, and musician who follows their passion and soul-calling to share the creative arts in a way that prioritizes expressing the heart rather than attaining an objectively “beautiful” outcome. Vanessa believes in the power of music as an ancient tool to build community, express and be witnessed in our pain and grief, and celebrate the joys of living.
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