90% of funds will allow the completion and release of my debut album with PARMA Recordings with 10% donation to the IJM Foundation. 

The Singing Horn is my debut album and the manifestation of my evolution as an artist. This was a journey of self discovery, independence, perseverance, and ultimately liberation. I have overcome an auto accident that almost took my life and career, rejection, family trauma, and the immense challenges of recovery in a restrictive professional classical music environment that makes us believe there is only one way of being… and performing. This album is my voice and vision rejecting those ideas and making classical style crossover into other genres, with emphasis on the music of my childhood; folk music of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. This project embraces all that I am as a classically trained symphonic hornist, folk vocalist, pianist, arranger, auto harpist, and novice bodhran player. It has an adventurous spirit that aims to embrace every listener and inspire them to embrace their own story, identity, and release stigmas and perceptions that keep us from connecting. 

You will hear the folk traditional melodies that helped shape my musical ear and soul, alongside and fused with, classical works that stole my heart and paved the path of my career with the Grand Rapids Symphony. There will be new arrangments, original songs, and the complete works of 15 Minutes of Fame – 15 one minute works commissioned solely for me from composers from around the world. What was so special about this is how these composers, who’d never met, could take one unifying factor in me as the artist, and create such a beautiful almost truly complete work that compliments each other so well. It illustrates to me what is so powerful about music and art, and what I feel like this album hopes to achieve; a way of unifying us through our own stories and how music makes us FEEL.

Click Here for media samples of what you’re supporting!

This has been a project in progress for over 6 years that has been stalled many times due to family losses and emergencies, financial hardship, covid, my accident and recovery…. in short, a whole lot of life. I am approaching the 6th anniversary of this accident on May 5 2024 (Blog posts detailing this recovery can be found below in previous entries) and having my first child by the end of May which is why this is the time to take this to the FINISH LINE. I have reached the limit of my finances and grant resources/opportunities and have decided to make this project more than just mine. Through your support, you can be an integral part of my journey and this album could be also, YOURS. 

While a crowdfund is completely outside of my comfort zone, I have learned how boundless love is, and the support of those around me has kept me going in so many ways. So it has been brought to my attention, maybe I should allow that support now, to help me achieve this monumental professional, personal, and altruistic goal. 

What Your Contributions Support:

$6,000 covers the mastering, distribution, promotion, marketing, and release by PARMA recordings

$2,000 covers the very important compensation of my amazing collaborating musicians and recording engineer that have stayed with me the whole way through this emotionally and physically demanding and exhilarating journey. 

$2,000 covers fees and taxes associated with the processing of funds through The Field.org

***** 10% of all contributions will result in a donation to IJM, the International Justice Mission – an organization that fights to eradicate all modern day slavery and human traffiicking worldwide. 

This album and subsequent journey for me has empowered and liberated me. It has showed me my strength, fortitude, resilience, and ability to love boundlessly amidst trauma, and challenge. IJM does this for so many, and after working with XPROPELR on their recording project “Dreaming Freedom” (A song written and produced to create awareness and foster support for IJM’s mission), I wanted my album and first commercial statement as an artist to truly embody the ideals of liberation and empowerment. Therefore, a minimum of 10% of all contributions will go toward IJM regardless of reaching or exceeding the crowdfunding goal.

See Below for Corporate Giving Tiers.

Angel Matchers: Those wishing to pledge matching funds only to the overall IJM 10% contribution from the campaign, all going directly to The International Justice Mission.  Recognition on all social outlets with post and tag, VIP guest invite to album release event TBA upon completion.   Level 1 – “Producer” $1000-A signed copy of the finished album, Official Producer Credit on album jacket and program notes, Recognition on all social outlets with post and tag, VIP guest to album release event TBA upon completion.   Level 2 – “Soloist” $1500-Level 1 benefits + 2 complimentary tickets to concerts of your choosing by The Grand Rapids Symphony during the ’24-’25 Season. Level 3- “RockStar” $2500– Level 1 and 2 Benefits + private performance for up to 10 guests Level 4- “Hero” $5000– Level 1 and 2 Benefits + exclusive performance at event and location of your choosing.

Suggested Individual Contribution Levels: Each tier Builds so all levels will receive the non monetary Shout-outs of previous tiers. The Field.org prohibits any goods and services in exchange for contributions which I fully support. So I am thinking of creative ways to say thank you to you in a public way! 

$25 – Digital Album download minimum 2 weeks before international release on streaming platforms + bonus sneak peak of original demo (not to be released)

$50 – Social Media shoutout thank you and tag

$100 – Contributor Credit on Album notes

$250 – Vocal Participant on original single (Think of one word that embodies YOUR story and record it for upload to be used in a new song that supports IJM)

$500 – Cover Song requests! (This will be FUN) – Send me your cover ideas for a special musical shout out post on Socials with tag. 

$1000 – Producer Credit and exclusive invitation to private recording and editing session.

I want to create something beautiful and powerful that makes a positive difference for others with this project. Being vulnerable and reaching out to you for help, is the most terrifying thing I have ever done….(and I’ve almost died)….. but it is worth it if we can make something beautiful TOGETHER.