Student Spotlight: Jody Brassfield
(By Sara McWilliams)
Jody Brassfield describes coming back to singing as a process.
“I did choir in high school and college, and I loved it soooo much: loved it, loved it, loved it. And then, you know, life kind of happens and you let go of some of those things that actually sustain you.”
She had been looking for a choir for a number of years and came to Resound NW by way of a Song Studio class. Then she took the SoulSinging class and began taking some lessons with a friend Kate, also studying at Resound NW. They ended up taking private lessons with Daniel Buchanan, which she has done now for over two years.
“Daniel is so incredible: phenomenal.”
Jody sometimes struggles with performance anxiety, but the need to sing is too strong to be denied. She missed singing so much that coming back to it felt like a calling and part of her spirituality. “I just remember how good it felt: I just love to sing!”
“It’s not easy, but a big accomplishment for me has been regularly getting up in front of other people to sing [in Song Studio class], either by myself or with Kate and Dan. Before, I’d only ever sang in choirs, and I could never, ever have imagined...I mean, two years ago I would have thought you were insane if you said that I would be regularly singing in front of other people either by myself or with, you know, one other person. Because I would have thought, ‘I can’t.’ I couldn’t imagine a point in my life where I would be able to do that or want to do that or enjoy doing that.”
For Jody, Song Studio classes and lessons have been therapeutic, both as a participant and a witness. Sometimes seeing what happens for people at all different levels in Song Studio has left her speechless and choked up. She feels like watching other people give and receive positive support or having a breakthrough moment is an amazing experience.
Jody loves singing country, folk, and soulful music, but appreciates being challenged by Dan in lessons. “It’s cool to try something completely out of your comfort zone!”
For Jody, the desire to connect, share of herself, and put her soul out there for others is absolutely critical. She connects through singing: “It’s how life flows through me. Working with Dan, I think he’s very in tune with that: being sort of at the root of why we sing. It’s about expressing your spirit.”
“I did choir in high school and college, and I loved it soooo much: loved it, loved it, loved it. And then, you know, life kind of happens and you let go of some of those things that actually sustain you.”
She had been looking for a choir for a number of years and came to Resound NW by way of a Song Studio class. Then she took the SoulSinging class and began taking some lessons with a friend Kate, also studying at Resound NW. They ended up taking private lessons with Daniel Buchanan, which she has done now for over two years.
“Daniel is so incredible: phenomenal.”
Jody sometimes struggles with performance anxiety, but the need to sing is too strong to be denied. She missed singing so much that coming back to it felt like a calling and part of her spirituality. “I just remember how good it felt: I just love to sing!”
“It’s not easy, but a big accomplishment for me has been regularly getting up in front of other people to sing [in Song Studio class], either by myself or with Kate and Dan. Before, I’d only ever sang in choirs, and I could never, ever have imagined...I mean, two years ago I would have thought you were insane if you said that I would be regularly singing in front of other people either by myself or with, you know, one other person. Because I would have thought, ‘I can’t.’ I couldn’t imagine a point in my life where I would be able to do that or want to do that or enjoy doing that.”
For Jody, Song Studio classes and lessons have been therapeutic, both as a participant and a witness. Sometimes seeing what happens for people at all different levels in Song Studio has left her speechless and choked up. She feels like watching other people give and receive positive support or having a breakthrough moment is an amazing experience.
Jody loves singing country, folk, and soulful music, but appreciates being challenged by Dan in lessons. “It’s cool to try something completely out of your comfort zone!”
For Jody, the desire to connect, share of herself, and put her soul out there for others is absolutely critical. She connects through singing: “It’s how life flows through me. Working with Dan, I think he’s very in tune with that: being sort of at the root of why we sing. It’s about expressing your spirit.”
Listen to Jody sing "Nothing But The Water" with Kate Bushman (cover song by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals):