My Journey to Becoming a Sacred Sound Healing Practitioner

As I reflect upon my life progression, I see that it has been a voyage of intertwining interests predominantly in fine arts, mystical healing arts, and sound. There’s no doubt that it was all divinely orchestrated. However, I take full responsibility for my part in this life story composition, by following what I loved and what peaked my curiosity and interest.  I have woven together key threads to create a magical tapestry. I have co-created this labor of love, my life as it is today.

When I was a child, I found music to be my soul's voice and play. As a baby, my innate joy-filled expression through humming while I ate became my signature happy soul song. I continued to express my soul’s enjoyment throughout my early childhood and was appropriately nicknamed “Birdie.” Singing and making up songs by myself and with my family became part of my daily dynamic. I played on pots and pans and created improvisations with sounds and rhythm. I was supported and encouraged by my parents, brother, and by the music that was routinely present in our household.

My mother taught piano lessons at our home after school. I was able to learn piano from her at an early age. She directed and sang in Barbershop Choruses and Quartets. My father played the trumpet in school as a kid and was a master at making up songs on the spot about random topics. Both of them were truly inspiring. My brother’s talent as a drummer and the weekend rock band rehearsals held in our basement helped further carve out my musical groove. I was on track and there was no turning back!

My high school band directors had a profound influence on my direction in life. One of the most significant highlights was our high school’s Composer’s Workshop and the rare opportunity to record our musical compositions at a local recording studio with a world-renowned percussionist. We performed with him in concert and sold our recordings in an effort to support our High School’s S.A.D.D. chapter (Students Against Drunk Driving).

Upon discovering my newfound interest in sound recording, I interned at that local recording studio and had the opportunity to learn about live sound engineering as well.  I soon realized that the lifestyle comprised of late-night recording sessions and regular evening gigs on the weekend was not for me. So I changed my tune and chose a career in music education, one which not only required a much more suitable work schedule, but I realized was more fitting for me in so many other ways.

While at the University studying music, specifically instrumental music education, I had the opportunity to learn to play and teach instruments from the string, wind, and percussion families. I also performed in a wide variety of musical groups throughout college: symphonic bands, classical saxophone quartets, and saxophone ensembles, pep band, and jazz combos.

I discovered my passion for African drum and dance and participated in both the dancing and drumming groups. I continued playing in musical ensembles post-college; the Pink Floyd Tribute Band was one of the most memorable. 

Shortly after acquiring my teaching degree in music, I was fortunate to obtain a teaching position at a local music store and also at a public city school district in the United States.

While teaching music in the public school system, I completed my Masters degree in Special Education and Music Education. Throughout my years working in that school district, I taught general music classes, instrumental lessons, a Music in Our Lives class, and directed both choral and instrumental groups.

I ended up teaching in the American public school system for over 15 years before I decided to leave and pursue other interests.

Although my primary focus throughout my years of schooling was music, I held a deep affinity for the fine arts and the mystical, for spirituality and healing arts, for natural remedies and alternative medicine. I expanded my knowledge in these areas through classes, seminars, and books.

In looking back, I unknowingly was preparing myself for what was next after teaching music in the U.S. 

My grandmother introduced me to yoga as a young kid and we would do postures together. I started practicing yoga, meditation, tai chi, qi gong, and martial arts more regularly in my early 20s. I was introduced to the power of the singing bowl in yoga classes which ignited my research on the therapeutic benefits and transformative effects of sound from ancient sacred instruments. I began meditating with the signing bowl in my home practice and incorporated mini sound baths into my lessons for my students. I became certified Usui Reiki practitioner and used energy work in my daily life.

It was actually through my partner, Valerie, that I ended up spending my summer vacation in Bali, Indonesia. After spending two months on this beautiful island, I decided I would work one more semester back home and take a leave of absence to see if I could live in Bali long term. Asia actually felt like home to me and the simple, easy, relaxed pace of island life was exactly what I needed. I took a leap of faith and decided to “retire” from my job as a public school music teacher in 2015.

What was next?  I wasn’t sure. I just knew I needed time to recharge and it would come to me eventually. I had created a sort of dream board/vision board before I left the U.S., on which I listed all of the areas of interest and possible ways it all fit together. I put it out there to the universe by tuning into what made my heart sing, and then let it go and allowed things to line up and come into view. In the meantime, I did what made me happy and explored my curiosity. I studied Reiki Tummo, Secrets of Natural Walking, and Matrix Energetics.

I created works of art from items collected on Trash Hero beach cleanups. I painted, meditated, read books about quantum physics and other topics of interest, and deeply enjoyed a much-needed break by the sea. Music, surprisingly, was the furthest thing from my mind and, for the first time in my life, not part of my daily pursuits. I felt the need to step away from it completely and focus on other interests.

It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I introduced music back into my life by attending a classical piano concert here in Ubud. A few months following that inspiring concert experience, sound healing popped back on my radar. I decided to devote myself wholeheartedly to developing my skills and knowledge base in the area of sound healing/vibrational therapies. I spent time training in India, Indonesia, and in the U.S.

I've had the privilege to study with gong masters and master sound healers from around the world.  In addition, I received extensive training in Theta Healing while in Bali, which I also infuse into my vibrational healing work. All of these modalities add a unique signature to my Sound Healing practice.

With the deepest gratitude, I thank you for taking the time to read about me and explore my offerings.

With Love,
Kate