Music has been the one place in my life where I’ve always had permission to tell the truth. It gave me language for feelings I didn’t know how to name, and it gave me a way to turn pain, joy, faith, and confusion into something I could share instead of carrying alone.
It’s also shaped the biggest decisions I’ve ever made. I left a stable corporate path, moved to Norway to study music production, and poured my time and money into learning how to create the sound in my head. That choice wasn’t comfortable, but it taught me agency. Every milestone since, being on The Voice, winning the American Songwriter contest, performing at SXSW, has been a reminder that dreams get closer when you keep choosing the uncomfortable path.
But the impact that matters most to me is paying it forward. One of my favorite moments was bringing my high school choir to sing with me, because it felt like closing a loop and opening a door at the same time. I want young people to have access to music early, not only as a skill, but as a place to belong, to be heard, and to build confidence. That’s why I care about restoring music education. It changes lives, and I want to be part of making sure more students get that chance.
