I’ve been singing my whole life. Both of my parents were beautiful singers and taught me a lot about harmony. I started performing professionally at 8 years old, but had tremendous stage fright. One day, when meditating in a field, I felt a deep realization that we all have some sort of way that we can serve the world. I understood, in that moment, that I had to let go of the stage fright and allow my voice to serve. Thanks to that conscious insight, I have written, recorded, and self-released multiple albums, played thousands of shows and have spoken at hundreds of conferences.

When it is not easy to stay inspired, creative, or even motivated to do anything, I practice going back to the sense of openness that I felt in that field. This way, the practice of presence becomes a staple of my life!

My Music Projects

Zia’s Garden: Mind-Body-Soul Lessons for Children (and the Child Within) @ziasgarden

Blackbird Morning (with my husband) @blackbirdmorning

Danielle DeCosmo @danielledecosmo

I was a music teacher and vocal coach straight out of college. I started noticing that my students would come, sing a bit, and then tell me about their troubles. One day, a student said, “I’m sorry I talk so much, it’s just that this feels like therapy.” It hit me at that moment that music is therapy for everyone, not just me! I started researching music as therapy and happened upon an advertisement for a summer intensive in Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, starting the next week! So, I signed up. And it changed the trajectory of my life. I volunteered for Shands/UF Health for 6 months and they hired me. It is now 16 years working with hospital patients and I accumulated a few certificates to complement music and reach as many patients as possible.

I love a good garden, a cup of tea, and my sweet boys around me. I started gardening out of desperation to improve the sandlot that was my backyard. It has been 11 years of continuous composting, amending, and trail and error, and it is just now getting good! Recently, I started beekeeping, because you know, I’m not busy enough as a mom. :/ Like gardening, it has not come easy and the bees need more interventions than I expected. I just wanted local honey for my allergies and my endless cups of tea! I wanted to sit next to the hive, with a cup of tea, and feel the hum (that Schumann Frequency). However, as with any challenge, a lesson can be found. For me, that lesson is that all the little moments of nurturing and growing eventually add up. And any moment of joy is only attained by having the presence of mind to notice.