Music and Mission Reflections from Samantha and Students

This past year I felt led to initiate a summer program for young adults that would encompass living an intentional life, enhancing their musical skills and deepening their spiritual journey. The following comments are from my co-staff, Samantha Elie, and several of the students. There are three parts…1. Samantha’s perspective 2. Student evaluations 3. Samantha’s continued adventures.         Enjoy them all and if you have the means to support Samantha on her continued adventures, that would be awesome.

1. Youth Leadership through Music

This summer I did something a little different: I poured my energy into enabling youth leaders through music, rather than plants. Music has been a love of mine for my entire life. I relished the opportunity to expand into this space again, especially in my professional context of empowering young people striving in leadership roles.

The project mission is for youth leaders to build the habit of acting with intention through music and outward into the rest of their lives. A group of seven students, ranging from ages 16 to 21, collated themselves into the band, Rapport. Members are all from conservative religious communities that span across the Pacific United States: Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.

One of my mentors invited me on as co-director for the pilot summer program. A primary reason why this mentor is so influential in my life was the early installation of intention and internal motivation to create the life I am dreaming of, as opposed to the reaction existence modeled before me. By supporting this project, my personal goal is to pay that intention forward by encouraging the next generation of young leaders to shift from reactive to active decision-making.

In my role as co-director, I led interpersonal and group dialogue, asked questions and offered perspective to individuals and the team, primarily encouraged and offered critiques when appropriate, was a listening ear and hugger when requested, ensured people were fed, sound was on point, drove the Big Red Bus (the roaming stage and gear-hauler), secured safety as the night staff, and am assisting in the planning of next year’s program.

This six-week project was split into two main components: it began with two preparatory weeks in Portland, OR, followed by four weeks on the road touring through Bend, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Spokane, WA, and Skagit Valley, WA. Each day was organized to follow the SPIRRS process, which highlights the Spiritual, Physical, and Intellectual/Emotional personal pools we get to invest in each day, then the Relationships, Resources, and Services we pour ourselves into. The students began most days with private reading, reflection, and journaling, then a trip to the gym to meet spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical needs. These practices “filled their cups” to allow for an afternoon of intense music devotion and teamwork. Every day was at least a 12-hour working day for students, and 24-hour working days for the two staff members.

In mid-June, we all gathered in Portland, OR to begin living and working together. Each student came prepared with 45 songs to share with the large group: 15 tracks “that folks 60-80 years old would value”, 15 with spiritual significance, and 15 contemporary pieces. Of these 45 tunes, each student selected one song for solo performance and a second for intimate duets. Students were split into two small groups and from this pool of roughly 315 songs, each team chose a handful to arrange and practice together.

During the opening two weeks, students devoted most of their energy to modulating self-care and learning how to listen to each other both in the team building context and musically. To encourage this, we focused on essential internal care skills. Phrases like: “put your mask on first”, “fill your cup”, “what are your gremlins asking for?”, “ask for what you need”, and “walk to the ‘center line’” became tropes that enabled everyone to serve the team from a fulfilled place. Specialists in voice and harmony, rhythm and guitar, and media promotion were brought in to expand student’s outward practical skills. The inaugural two weeks closed with the first concert, held in the front yard of the program leader, affectionately nicknamed “The Wizard”. His neighborhood and friends made a generous audience.

The tour began in Bend, OR. We arrived to the school that hosted us in their gym on Tuesday, the fourth of July, in the mid afternoon. During that first day in Bend, the students had a bit of time to practice before dinner, then after dinner, the choice to watch fireworks or continue to practice for the gigs later in the week. We put one of the students in charge of selecting a dinner location for the evening and unwittingly, they chose a river-side lodge serving $60 plates of elk ribs attached to a resort hotel. Upon reviewing the menu on site, students were dumbfounded — most of them had never been to a restaurant of this style and expense. It became a lesson in accepting and valuing nice things, a lesson in self-worth. Plates were cleaned over the corse of two-and-a-half hours, blowing through any time available for firework viewing.

Performances began gradually, allowing for plenty of additional practice time. On Wednesday, the students had a trial gig at a senior community center. If they did well that day, they could play during lunch on Thursday and Friday. They did fantastic, with old folks singing, dancing, requesting ACDC, and all. Thursday held returning faces at the senior center, not out of normal routine, but specifically to see Rapport. Friday there were two local news stations on site interviewing students and highlighting the event. Bend was the slow start and smashing success that reassured students that they were on the right path, despite the interpersonal challenges and hardship of transitioning from feather pillows to sleep on a gym floor.

The following week we moved to Walla Walla, WA, from a gym floor to that of a high school music room. The crack that inevitably forms in team dynamics happened this week, a month into the program. Some students were working themselves to the bone and not prioritizing their own self-care, while others were practicing the bare minimum amount to sort of skate by — this deficit was no longer tolerable and things got heated among students after one of the most lousy Jackson 5 covers I had ever witnessed. Students opted to cancel shows for the next two days so that the band collectively and individual members could get things together. “The Wizard” and I watched things unfold and helped to facilitate mending conversations from as distant positions as we could manage while still offering care. It was important that the students navigated these new waters with independent integrity if the tour was to continue over the next two and a half weeks.

One definition of leadership that I was taught is “leader of one, servant to others”. It was clear that at this point, the “one” had been forgotten in both camps. I was so proud of the independent care, compassion, and tenacity that students showcased over the subsequent two days. Those that had not been attentive to their own needs rested and focused on passion projects, while those who needed to put the hard hours into practicing music followed through until their vocal cords croaked and fingers were sore. Each of these acts allowed everyone to come back together and serve the whole at greater capacity. The next several days were fantastically packed with brewery gigs, a farm show, nursing home duets, busking on the street, and performing as the main act at a food cart festival.

Spokane, WA was our next stop. When we arrived at the church that was hosting us, we were welcomed by two very excited people and a fridge stocked with baked ziti and homemade veggie burgers. On the road so far, everyone had been grocery shopping and eating very simply, so fresh food made with love was a very welcome sight.

On that first night in Spokane, the students played for a men’s shelter — this was their first interaction with houseless people as a team. As nerves ran high, unsure of what types of exchanges to expect, I saw everyone sink into themselves. Staff encouraged immersion with community in every situation. At the senior center in Bend, students sat with elders and shared lunch and the same was expected here. To sit with people and share stories or bear witness to their experiences was a leading growth edge throughout the program and I believe was instrumental in getting students out of their sheltered shells into the “real world”. Students were to sit no more than two at a table, ideally surrounded by others, the elderly, houseless folks, pub goers, etc.. I sat and was joined by two students and one man who shared his love of blues guitar. I watched these students eke out of their shells when the common adoration of music became known. We are all human, we all have dreams, we all love. Dinner was followed by their performance. Any of the men living in the shelter were invited to attend. I ran sound from the stage that night and was able to observe differing levels of engagement from the audience firsthand. People sang the words that they knew, some moved a couple rows forward while others left the room, a number viewed the performance stone faced and a few buried their face in their hands with emotion.

After the music stopped, a student that shared words during the show was wrapped in conversation with at least three men, approaching one at a time. While the others packed up equipment, this student was encouraged multiple times to continue speaking by residents, even though they felt awkward. The student was insecure that they had nothing of value to say, especially to those whose life appeared much more difficult than what they had known, but their humanity shone through and touched a few men. This support reached a different place than our words as staff, parents, or teachers could and I am grateful for this diversified experience. I can see how it empowered the rest of their time on tour, especially as a band leader.

Later in the week the students were treated to a studio session, plenty of practice time, and held a kickin’ country performance at The Harvester Restaurant. Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash came out and they lifted off as a band, both accomplishing personal best-effort excellence and pleasing the crowd of farmers. For this show, new set leaders were selected and each rose to the occasion beautifully. Students that had not had the opportunity to sing took the mic while others rocked impromptu percussion. Everyone was listening and flexing with each other. It was a joy to mix sound and watch.

Our final week was spent back on the west side of the mountains, in Skagit Valley, WA. Students were offered reprieve from sleeping on the floor in a church recreation center that had a couch for everyone. We arrived late and the students had a full next several days.

Early the next morning, students were rallied and split into groups to invite houseless people from all stretches of Skagit County to the next day’s event, for which they were providing a day of music to accompany free showers and haircuts. The humanistic themes of the previous week paved the way for this task and the following event. Students were clearly instructed to make eye contact and ask names, using them in conversation in order to be authentic in their invitation. Despite the day’s hard work, there was little turnout at the event. The students were tenacious and completed three two-and-a-half hour sets in the rain all the same, mostly to an empty parking lot. They had a lot of room for experimentation and seemed to enjoy themselves more during these sets than many others. They were all dancing on stage and greatly improved their stage presence in the extra breathing room. I even received a rock n’ roll happy birthday song with solos and all. All and all, this was a fantastic way to set off the final week of touring.

The remainder of the week was filled with a performance at the rodeo grounds, hiking and music at Rosario beach, and a quiet vespers service. At Rosario beach, I was able to share some of my nature love with students. I wish there was time throughout the tour to be in natural spaces, while there was some, I believe that more would have facilitated peace and creativity. As I assist in planning next years program, I will be more insistent on this point. Rosario beach is attached to Deception Pass State Park. In the afternoon I stated that I was going for a hike and invited any students that wanted to join to accompany me. I cast the lures of berries and edible plants, and it worked! We headed off towards the bridge to Whidbey Island. Along the way I picked berries and fed them to surrounding students, who inquired further about leaves, roots, and fungus.

About half way through the adventure, we stopped at a beach along the trail. Myself and two other students began turning over rocks to look for crabs. One of the most serious and aloof students magically came out of their shell when handed a quarter-sized crustacean. Their face broke the mold and glowed, laughing as they tried to keep hands on the little critter that wriggled up their arms. They passed the small crab around, showing it off like a kindergartner at show-and-tell. Once they were done sharing this individual, they gently placed it back into the water, rolled up their pants, and went in as is as deep as they could to find the biggest crabs possible. When they found a large individual, they shrieked with joy, uncertain to pick it up. Whenever they held a crab, they marveled at the modeled coloration, size, and quickness. I saw a budding marine ecologist emerge out of the business major. My biggest dream for all of them (and a pillar of the program) is that they follow their passions, rather than the prescribed path. Eventually we continued to walk. Students admired views, the fresh sea air, and giant trees of the Pacific Northwest rainforest. We were called back to Rosario beach by dinner sandwiches and the evening’s gig.

Their final show mirrored where it all began, on “The Wizard’s” front lawn in Portland, OR. The sound cut out a few times as the power flickered, yet they enthusiastically played on, clearly enjoying the fleeting camaraderie. Each took a turn sharing a piece of their experience throughout the performance and this deeply resonated with the crowd of friends and neighbors. Applause was thunderous as the students showcased their growth over the last month.

That night was the breakup of Rapport. The students would never perform together in the same context again. Students, who used to primarily play music at church, are now engaging out of their comfort zones with houseless people, the elderly, pub-goers, professional music producers, and the general street-walking public. They are now courageously performing and creating music that speaks to their souls.

A couple students were beginning college in the coming fall, two continuing their undergraduate studies, one was off to the United States Marine Corps, and two had some high school to wrap up. Their lives were on different pages, but something in their leadership journey had led them to this place. In our final round-up, I asked what in their own story took them here: why did they decide to spend their summer with “The Wizard” and devoted to music? That closing conversation not only reinforced existing connections, but enlightened new ones that strengthened bonds moving forward.

The breakup was slow and painful for me. I love being on the road and had become quite attached to our miraculous team. Over the next three days, students departed from Portland. I split this time between saying goodbyes, sleeping, appreciating to non-student music, and digesting the project with “The Wizard”. We made plans and discussed adjustments for this following year’s program.

2. Student Responses

Micah Teehee…I am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Inner Anvil this summer. This letter focuses on aspects where I believe more intentionality could have been applied by myself, my bandmates, and the staff. While I critique multiple parties, I acknowledge the overall success of the trip and accept my share of responsibility.