Juneberry Music

I've been yearning for a way to be with my grief for the USA and our world without falling into fear. You too? Here's what's working for me...

Batya Levine's song, "Breathe" drops me right into presence and trust. Patty Piotrowski's artwork helps me be here and loose in the whirlwind -- the combo helps me let go of how I think things "should be," show up for the world as it is, and find delight. I'm surprised by how good right now can feel.

Join me in singing this transformative song at https://www.abreathofsong.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

Batya Levine Music

This week's song is Breathe by Batya Levine (Batya Levine Music).

Batya Levine uses song as a tool for cultivating healing and resilience in their work as a communal song leader, shaliach tzibur (Jewish prayer leader) and cultural organizer. Batya is a co-founder and Director of Programs at Let My People Sing!, and they compose original music made of Ashkenazi yearning, q***r heart-medicine, and emunah (faith).

Let's keep nourishing ourselves, building our energy, digging a little deeper for that resilience and joyful power --- this is such a great and easy way to do that!

Sisters in Harmony Global with Patricia Norton & Moira Smiley Women's Singing Circles on Zoom - Facilitated by Heather Houston

Becky Graber found this song through the practice of tai chi -- "Heaven above, earth below, and I, the path between." In our relaxed conversation, we explore that sense of where a person is in one moment, how it feels to shed old identities and make space for something new, how Becky's sense of fully being herself when directing has sustained her through 28 years of work -- and how she has changed during that time.

Becky teaches me the song and there's some exploration -- bring your voice to us and join in at https://www.abreathofsong.com or search A Breath of Song wherever you listen to podcasts!

Art by Patty Piotrowski

Last week we learned Becky Graber's song Fly Away... now get ready for another of Becky's wonderful songs, plus our very first live-in-person (not Zoom) in-the-marigold-yellow-basement-studio songwriter conversation! Come back Wednesday to hear it!

Right in the middle of all the intensity of election time, coming into winter in the northern hemisphere, when it feels dire, it is crucial to give ourselves breaks for long-haul, sustained presence with what is. Come, fly away, just for a moment, to let there be ease and lift....Becky Graber's song takes us there through our own voices.

Listen at https://abreathofsong.com or find A Breath of Song on Apple, Spotify... wherever you find your podcasts!

Art by Patty Piotrowski

Get ready to take flight with A Breath of Song on Wednesday, when we learn Fly Away by Becky Graber!

Becky has lived her life professionally centered around music and storytelling, teaching and performing, and a heart-drive towards healing and coming to centered generosity. She is the founder and director of the Brattleboro (VT) Women's Chorus.

Are you close to Brattleboro, VT? Close enough to treat yourself to a really good time with Elise Witt? I thought so!

Learn more & register here: https://elisewitt.com/web/calendar/brattleboro-vt-102524/

It's the final day of Listener's Choice week!

Anita's third song choice is Episode 109: "This Is It" by Maggie Wheeler. Listen here: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/109-this-is-it

Anita says, "Thankfulness for that which is just now. It has a snappy rhythm to sing with and an awareness about enjoying this moment we have exactly now."

"Taknemmelighed over det der er lige nu. Den har en god rytme at synge med på og en opmærksomhed på at nyde dette øjeblik vi har lige nu."

Art by Patty Piotrowski

Anita's second pick for Listener's Choice Week is Episode 108: "Can I Stand Here For You?" by Kate Munger. Listen here: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/108-can-i-stand-here-for-you

Anita says, "It is wonderful and fantastic that we are here in this world together with other people and we always can choose to do something good for our fellow-people."

"Det vidunderlig og fantastiske i at vi er her i denne verden sammen med andre mennesker og vi altid kan vælge at gøre noget godt for vores medmennesker♥️"

Art by Patty Piotrowski

Happy Monday and welcome to another A Breath of Song Listener's Choice week! This week's featured listener is Anita from Haderslev, Denmark.

Her first choice is Episode 96: "Beautiful Rain" by unknown (2nd section by Patricia Norton). Listen here: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/96-beautiful-rain-with-singer-rebecca-csuy

Anita says, "Because it speaks of happiness with rainy weather. We have a need for the rain, even though we get wet and cold. I sing this almost every time it rains – and that happens often in Denmark ☔️"

"Fordi det fortæller glæden ved regnvejr. Vi har brug for regnen selvom vi bliver våde og kolde. Jeg synger den næsten hver gang det regner - og det gør det tit i Danmark ☔️"

Art by Patty Piotrowski

Patty Piotrowski's art captures the hard work of hiking up a rocky trail in the dark dawn-time -- then turning to realize the pink sky was glowing behind all along.

Lisa Piccirillo lost her own creative voice for a time, meeting obligations, doing what needed to be done -- until, in the middle of a waitressing shift, she received a vision of a woman, aglow -- and the word, "Radiate." Lisa doodled a picture, and began to move into her own shining light, creating an album with this song at its center. We learn the chorus and step into an epic moment of singing belief -- "When I see me, I am standing in my light..."

Sing with us at https://abreathofsong.com!

Coming this Wednesday on A Breath of Song: the title song from Vermont artist Lisa Piccirillo's brand new album, RADIATE!

Lisa almost gave up on songwriting, but the muse wouldn’t let her. The inspiration for her latest record came to her as a vision: the silhouette of a woman, backlit by the sun, alongside the word RADIATE. Fueled by this idea and the desire to reclaim her creative identity, Lisa devoted herself to daily songwriting sessions at sunrise and the new record was born.

lisa piccirillo

Ready to use song to gather up some joyful power? I am -- I want to bring my rooted power -- be with the turning wheel, make good trouble, believe that we are made for exactly these times -- and celebrate the difference!

This ribbon of song is Episode #162 at abreathofsong.com... and not only can you sing it with me there, but you can join other folk who use song to dig into their power this Sunday, 4 p.m. Eastern -- get your zoom link here: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/119054371687237222/share

Singing songs by Molly Hartwell, Lisa G Littlebird , Elizabeth Melvin , Angela Gabriel, Christine Kick

Love this practice, love the people who are doing it, love the sense in the room as we gather, love the combined voices....

It's almost time for... drumroll please... the third Ribbon of Song! This Wednesday we'll explore five songs that flow together and follow a certain theme... check back to find out what it is!

Want to revisit the first and second Ribbons while you wait?
https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/152-ribbon-1-heartflow
https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/157-ribbon-2-flex

And mark your calendars for this Sunday at 4 pm Eastern - we'll have another Ribbon Sing on Zoom for anyone who wants to join!

Patty said it was the phrase "a sail, it is an open door that bids the song to enter" that drew her into this song of Jan Harmon's, and resulted in this painting. How does this song sweep you up? The wind, the harbor? The sail? The thought of a good friend?

Join me singing at abreathofsong.com, or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Art by Patty Piotrowski.

For this week's song, we're going back to 1985... join us on Wednesday to learn Good Friend by Jan Harmon.

Jan Harmon (1940-1993) was a published poet, a writer of short stories and biographical non-fiction, as well as a prolific composer of choral music, topical songs, ballads, rounds, musicals, and instrumental pieces. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan and lived in many places from southern California to Maine.