Latest News Sharing my original Open Verse Poetry and Photography via Substack
No Time Like the Present
"Take Your Broken Heart, Make it Into Art" - Carrie Fisher
Writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It helps me to understand myself and the world around me. For many years I have used writing as a tool to express everything from love and heartache, to injustices throughout the world. As a songwriter I have written, recorded and performed my original material, and helped other singer/songwriters bring their stories to life. I’m passionate about writing and storytelling. I hope to write my memoir someday. I already have a title and a photo for the cover that I will share at some point.
My love of the written word began before I started Kindergarten thanks to my beloved Mother who taught me how to read. I still have most of my childhood books. As an adult I mostly enjoy non-fiction. I am not a “light” reader. I appreciate poetry, biographies, self-help, travel, as well as books on spirituality and other non fiction works.
In April of 2025 I went to Dominican College in San Rafael to hear Maria Shriver talk about her latest book “I Am Maria” My reflections and poems of heartbreak, healing and finding your way home. She was interviewed by Anne Lamott, one of my favorite authors. Anne is such a straight shooter, incredibly insightful and hilarious. As you can imagine Anne and Maria were a dynamic pairing. Maria’s life and her extended family’s legacy has been written about for years. I found Maria’s poetry fascinating and brave, sharing the private side of her life in such a vulnerable, honest and poetic way. At the end of the event Maria encouraged all of us to write and share our stories. A seed was planted in me.
For the past six months I’ve been intentionally writing what’s in my heart and on my mind with almost no editing. It’s a style of writing called “open verse poetry” described as “poetry that doesn’t adhere to fixed rules of meter, rhyme, or stanza structure.” Prominent poets Walt Whitman, T.S. Eliot, Gertrude Stein, E.E.Cummings, Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, Charles Bukowski, Mary Oliver, Maya Angelou and Patti Smith have all written open verse poetry.
Throughout history art in all its glorious forms has helped humans get through difficult times. As Carrie Fisher famously said “Take your broken heart, make it into art.” That’s what I am attempting to do with my writing.
Substack offers free and paid subscription options. For now my account is free. Perhaps that will change in the future, but for now, I’m happy to share what I’ve written in hopes that it moves you in some way, or inspires you to share whatever art you are creating.
Pleas click subscribe to follow my account. I am new to this platform and will be posting my first piece on Monday, February 9, 2026 and weekly thereafter.
Thank you for being here and for bearing witness. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
xo
Lynn
Check back early January 2026
VOICEMAIL NEWSLETTER 12/31/23
2023 Wrap UP
As we come to the close of 2023 I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for a wonderful year! There were so many bright moments making 2023 extra special. Here are a few highlights.
In April of this year we had our second Spring Fling with Strings for the Narada Michael Walden Foundation at the Throckmorton theater featuring several of my students performing with a pro band including Narada on drums and a symphony orchestra. I had the pleasure of working with my students & the other singers to prepare them for ensemble singing/performing, as well as their featured solo performances. Bravo to all the performers!
Spring Fling video https://youtu.be/EZdVZvtOtmU?si=l342cJB93JCmTmnN
The Narada Michael Walden Foundation's 26th annual Holiday Jam featuring the great Lisa Fischer (Rolling Stones, Tina Turner), was held on Dec. 16 at 142 Throckmorton in Mill Valley, featuring several of my incredibly talented students. Congratulations to Makena McComb and Kat Stone on their Best Duet award! This high energy, heartfelt holiday show features many talented kids throughout the Bay Area.
Full show here https://youtu.be/Sj7IniBtuus?si=s8HxfoLOSsU3LS0w. To learn more about the foundation and how you can help, please visit www.naradamichaelwaldenfoundation.org
This year a portion of the proceeds and your generous donations will help the children of Lahaina, Maui.
Anna Harrell, Charly Kerr and Bella Kraus put on a stellar concert during Sweetwater's Sunday Brunch in March. They performed their outstanding original songs to a full house. The girls also performed at a fabulous house concert in Berkeley hosted by producer Jim Greer.
Singer/Songwriter Anna Harrell played the Sweetwater stage at the Mill Valley Music Festival, and released a beautiful, original song for the PNOC Foundation titled "Night Light" you can listen and donate to PNOC by purchasing this beautiful song written by Anna and produced by Jim Greer.
https://nightlight-losenochild.bandcamp.com/track/night-light-by-anna-harrell. Thank you!
My long time student Charly Kerr released her beautiful, original song “Oranges” masterfully produced by Renee Harcourt (Blame Sally, Dear John, Love Renee) in June of this year. Charly is currently wrapping up production on her next single “Bluebird” also produced by Renee. Release date to be announced soon!
Congratulations to my student Kat Stone for releasing her original song "Neon Sign" produced by Jim Greer and is wrapping up her next hot single “Up In Flames” in 2024.
You can listen to Charly & Kat's music on all streaming platforms.
I had the absolute pleasure of co-writing songs and producing vocals with my adult student, the incomparable Carmen Maria with producer Jim Greer. I can't wait to share it with you in the new year. Carmen Maria is a multi talented artist, actress, pro ice skater and entrepreneur. This project was one of my favorites of the year. More to come soon!
My long time student Dylan Webb recorded a live performance with their Father Paul Webb for "Jam in the Van" in Las Vegas in May. This clip features an original song titled "Made of Clay" written for Dylan by pro singer/songwriter Holly Davidson: https://youtu.be/fDEeOciFWto?si=6IhEdcOAPfJW6vBb Dylan has a killer voice and stage presence, and has been performing weekly for the past couple of years in Bend Oregon at a popular wine bar developing a strong, loyal following.
I had the pleasure of singing at their 18th Birthday in Bend which featured Dylan, Paul, and many outstanding local musicians. Dylan will be recording and releasing music in the new year. Stay tuned!
Another long time student Lexi Donovan blew me away with their riveting, powerful performance in Tam High's phenomenal production of War of the Roses. My hats off to Lexi and the entire cast for one of the best plays I have ever attended. Special shout out to my former student Jack Hochschild for his outstanding performances in War of the Roses and in Marin Theater Company's production of Dunsmuir.
Special shout out to my friend of many years, an incredible bass player, songwriter and educator, Angeline Saris for hiring me to coach the singers in her Foundations of Music Performance class at Marin Academy. I've been a guest teacher at MA for the past 3 years. Thank you Angeline!
Check out Angeline's original song and music video "Come Undone" Angie's bass solo is fire!
https://youtu.be/lLyyNsIaY5g?si=R8CegkijcZS8ZH7D
I love working with all of you and look forward to continuing to teach, mentor and create opportunities for my students to record and perform in the new year.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed new year.
With love and gratitude,
Lynn
Welcome Spring
with Michaela trekking the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal 2001
On top of the world Nepal 2001
Blessed before the 17,599 ft pass
2021 NEW BEGINNINGS
3/30/21
As I sit at my desk in my home office in Marin County, CA, the trees are sprouting new buds as the flowers make their Spring debut. Spring wakes us up from our Winter slumber. As the days become longer and we begin to take steps to return to "life as we knew it," I am aware that in order for us to resume our "normal" lives out of quarantine we must be willing to take an honest look at how we are going to re-enter society.
I had heard the term "re-entry" over the years from friends who had visited India and Nepal, as well as those who attended Burning Man. My re entry experience came in 2001 when I trekked the Annapurna Circuit with my bf Michaela Wung. We spent six life changing weeks in Nepal. It was my first trip to that part of the world. It was one of the most transformational experiences of my life along with moving from Maine to California 28 years ago, the unexpected passing of my beloved Mother, participating in a Year To Live practice based on Steven Levine's work with hospice patients, going through Breast Cancer twice, and raising a child.
Coming home after six weeks in Nepal I became acutely aware of how different life was in the U.S. vs Nepal. In Nepal life was simpler, especially on the trek. Hard as hell, but simpler. No trappings, only you and the ground beneath your feet and the majestic beauty of the Himalayas. The three weeks we spent trekking revealed so much to me, not the least of which how strong I was physically and mentally, and how many things I wanted to let go of once I returned to California. As I share this with you I can remember how it felt to liberate myself from all the stuff I had been burdened with in my then 38 years, especially other people's expectations. Can I get an Amen!
Change is not inherently easy for any of us. We tend to resist change and embrace the familiar. 2020 was a year that forced change on the world. A change that none of us could have predicted. Have you looked at photos from the end of 2019 or January 0f 2020? We were unaware of what we were about to experience. Sometimes change is forced upon us and sometimes it manifests by our intentions or by necessity. However it manifests we are given the opportunity to grow.
Now is the time to assess the things that no longer serve us. To let go of the baggage we have been dragging behind us for too long and to sit quietly and listen to our most sacred inner voice, the voice that has the answers to what matters most to us. It takes courage to listen to that voice. I hope that each of us will not rush back into the world coming out of our quarantine, and instead take time to do so intentionally and with humility and grace. I hope too that each of us will seek out ways in which we can be more authentic in our lives and how we can be of service. I know these are the questions I have been sitting with. How can I use my life in addition to my teaching voice and performing to help create a better world?
I would love to hear from you. What has the past year revealed to you? How do you plan to be of service for the greater good?
Life is a precious gift. May we appreciate every breath.
With love,
Lynn