Wonderful Being

I had a blast doing my show "Yes, No, Maybe So" on 10/19 at the Santa Monica Playhouse, and I had way more people in the audience...both in person and virtual...than I thought I would! Thank you all for your amazing support. Here's what's coming up next! For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

I’m excited to share my interview with soprano and educator Anne Slovin, whose thought-provoking social media posts inspire me daily! We sat down to discuss the ways her varied interests have impacted her career as a singer, her experience as a vocal performance major in college, and the ways her vocal injury has continued to shape her as a teacher and performer. For a summary, click here . For vi...

My solo show is TOMORROW NIGHT (10/19/21) at the Santa Monica Playhouse, where you can see it in person OR streaming live FOR FREE! Here's a word about my preparations AND about the interview I will release tomorrow with soprano and musicologist Anne Slovin. I hope to "see" you (or actually see you) at the theater or on the Internet! For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

I find it challenging to do the self-care necessary for an outstanding solo performance AND everything else in my life. Here's my plan for getting through my upcoming show on October 19, (2021). If you're a solo artist - or any other kind of performer - how do YOU take care of yourself while juggling jobs, life, and performance? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . For tickets to...

Many neurodivergent folks struggle with "black and white thinking," or deciding that a situation must be ALL GOOD or ALL BAD. I argue that labeling this type of thinking a "cognitive distortion" might actually be an ableist construct. Have YOU ever experienced an upside to literal "black and white" thinking? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . For tickets to my solo show - in pe...

I have a tough time getting myself to listen to new music. This is partially neurodivergence and partially that I'm just not sure where to find music I want to hear. Where do you get new music, and is there anything you'd especially recommend that I listen to? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . For tickets to my show on October 19, click here . 

I got some unsolicited advice from a well-meaning friend about the frequency of my posts. Here's my response. What's your take on content creation? Where are you showing up, even if you're not perfect? And how is that working out for you? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here .  Tickets to my show on 10/19 are here. Plopping is here.

Yesterday was a Jack O'Lantern Teeth day. I'll explain what that means before I give you an update on the projects I'm working on. What's your experience with days like this...and do YOU have a project you'd like to promote? Drop in the comments, and let's help each other out! Tickets to my solo show available here . For a transcript, click here . For video, click here .

I hate promoting my show, so I've asked one of my main characters to do it for me. Meet Professor Sarah P. Outrage, my Inner Social Justice Warrior, who has some important reasons why you should attend - in person or streaming - on October 19 at 7:30pm PT. Here is a ticket link . For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

There's a quote I keep seeing everywhere that I really dislike. HINT: It's from a Star Wars movie. I propose an alternate quote from a different fictitious source that more accurately summarizes my own viewpoint. What's YOUR opinion on this odious Yoda quote? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

What's a "stim?" It's how neurodivergent people cope with the overwhelm we experience from living in a neurotypical world. Here's what it looks like for me. If you're neurodivergent, what's YOUR preferred stim? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

I'm a classically trained percussionist - so why didn't I try harder for an orchestral career? Here's my answer to that question. What have YOU failed at...or at least, decided was not for you? For a transcript, click here . For a video, click here . 

Yes, I did make a Living on a Prayer parody. Don't worry - it's short. Thanks to everyone who's been tuning in, and if there's anything you'd especially like to hear me play, please send me your requests! For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

I wrote this song a few years ago based on an article by Alana Massey and another one by Reina Gattuso . Don't listen to it if you don't want to hear me say "dick" a whole bunch of times! If you're a woman who likes men, what's your take on dickonomics? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

My cousin Max has been an avid viewer ever since I started this vlog. He requested a Weird Al cover, so here is "I Love Rocky Road." Thank you, Max, for your amazing support! Anybody else have any requests? If so, send them my way! For a transcript, click here . For video, click here .

How am I practicing with two injured elbows? HINT - I have other limbs I can work with. Come hang out with me in the studio while I share my practice routine. What are YOU practicing these days? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here .  Here's the YouTube video that inspired this practice regimen. 

I was feeling so happy after my band rehearsal last Saturday. Then I woke up in the wee hours of Sunday morning with intense elbow pain. Yoga helped in this case, but sometimes it doesn't. If you're a musician struggling with a playing-related injury, you are not alone! What kinds of solutions have been helpful for YOU? For a transcript, click here . For a video, click here . 

I did it! I finally brought my drums in from the car! But as I celebrated, I noticed that I've got another maintenance project ahead of me...and this one is a real doozy. How do YOU tackle big, scary projects that require a lot of patience, organization, and planning? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

The disorganized drummer strikes again! I left my drums in the car for three weeks before rehearsing with my band on Saturday. Here's what happened. For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

Here's a teaser for my chair dance in my solo show, "Yes, No, Maybe So." While working on this dance with choreographer Pamela Najera, I discovered that being sexy is DIFFICULT! Is it as tough for men to be pleasing to women as it is for women to be pleasing to men? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here .  For tickets to see my show for FREE, in person or streaming from th...

When I was studying music in college, a conductor gave us some advice about being a musician in "the real world." I've spent years thinking about whether or not I agree with it; here's my verdict. What's the worst advice YOU'VE gotten from a teacher? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . To see my solo show for FREE - in person or streaming - on October 19 at 7:30pm PT, click here...

Despite years of musical training, I failed to write a song until I was in my mid-twenties, and after that, I still struggled to complete songs...until a friend gave me this advice. What helps YOU to finish songs (or other creative projects)? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here .  Here's Sasha Bayan's album and Sasha's website .

What better way to fix a crummy day than to come home, play some pandeiro, and sing a wistful song about the need to prove oneself to a mentor? Here's "Be Like You," a song from the EP I just can't seem to finish. How does the need to prove show up in your life? For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

Executive function is the ability to plan and organize, and as a neurodiverse person, I totally suck at it! I "vlog" from my car today to share with you a particularly embarrassing instance of drummer executive DYSfunction. Is this a struggle for you, too? Tell me about it...you're not alone! For a transcript, click here . For video, click here . 

I spent the summer of 2011 in Haiti, and it's an important place to me. Today I share some resources for educating yourself about how the U.S. has caused harm in Haiti as well as some steps to take action against the deportations. There's no excuse for what's been going on at our Southern border - let the Haitians in! For a transcript (and all of the links mentioned), click here . For video, click...