I conducted two interviews during the course of this project. Below are some key snippets from them that guided me on the path of discovery.
“Singing is the most naked art form”
“I am going to feel something from start to finish”
“Alchemize their pain into something useful”
“I need to stay holistacally well to carry the charge of these emotional connections- that’s my job”
“I’m in a pocket of pain and I am not running away from it”
“I am finding the version of me that I can live with”
“A scream is a song”
Above are moments from a conversation with Lauren McQuistin, Scottish soprano opera singer living in London. Lauren is also a trauma informed vocal coach who works with people to find their authentic voices after experiencing trauma. Her research has led her to uncovering the “Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Singers” . She runs a popular instagram page devoted to the realities (not always picture perfect) of recovery as Brutal Recovery. This is how I discovered her scholarship and tireless advocacy for people of all skill levels and experience to find their voices.
My second interview was with a noted poet of Haikus in Seattle, Jonathan Went. Sadly the file was almost inaudible due to the noisey space we chose for our interview. Below is the audio file, for the record.
MERE death 