I’m really excited to announce that I’ll be running a Singing Camp this summer!!

Tuition is $350. This one-week vocal intensive camp is geared towards helping 10-12 and 13-15 year olds find their voice and gain confidence through singing.  Singers will learn songs, study vocal technique, study performance strategies, and support one another in a safe, encouraging, and fun environment.  Additionally, small ensemble vocals, basic theory, ear training, microphone technique, and performance master classes will all be integrated.  Space is limited to 12 campers to guarantee a small student to teacher ratio.  All skill levels are welcomed and supported.  Auditions will be held prior to the camp to finalize song selections.

The camp takes place in our lovely corner of Bucks County’s Wycombe, PA located between Doylestown and Newtown.  Weather permitting, students will enjoy swimming pool time as part of camp — perfect for building strong lung capacity for singing!

M-F, 9am – 3pm

A SATURDAY CONCERT will showcase singers as they perform the songs they have been rehearsing all week.  The concert will be open to the public for everyone to hear!

June 24-29 = Session ONE for 13-15 Year Olds

July 8-13 = Session ONE for 10-12 Year Olds

July 15-20 = Session TBA

REGISTRATION is OPEN, so ENROLL NOW to save your spot!  All registration details are outlined in the Application available on my web site: www.christyjefferson.com/singingcamp.html

Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS! 

I’m 3 months + into the throws of Rock Star Mommy Hood, and our daughter, Harmony Rose, is my new center of gravity.  How do you top a blessing like that at the start of a new year?  You don’t.  But just the same, there are so many things that I’m grateful for as we turn over the fresh page of 2013.  In no particular order, here are a few of my many blessings:

1. Our health, our family, our friends.
2. My students!
3. The opportunity I had with my students to raise funds for orphans in El Salvador this past December.  My mission with my music has always been to make the world a better place, and this event was just the first of many more to come.  We skyped with the orphans during the event, and it afforded a connection to the cause for everyone there that I’ve never witnessed at a benefit event.
4. With the transition into motherhood, finances have really become stretched to limits.  But it always, somehow, comes together at the end of the month with some extra CD sales, extra lessons taught, a performance opportunity, or SOMETHING.  I’m very grateful for that.
5. We didn’t exchange gifts this year (in light of number 4), but a couple of secret Santas out there still made it a very special first Christmas for little Harmony.  Christmas morning, a beautiful hand made stocking and Santa Hat framed an adorable large wooden giraffe next to the Christmas tree.  The stocking was filled with little gifts for our little Peanut.  One of the favorites was a special hand made blanket that featured pink and brown elephants and a border much like a my favorite ‘blankie’ growing up.  Both of our families sent along gifts for our little angel, even though we said we weren’t able to exchange this year, and it really meant so much to us.
6. And Santa enlisted someone out there to send us an anonymous visa gift card to spoil Harmony for Christmas.  Whoever you are (or maybe there were more than one of you who went in together), Thank You so much!
7. Our local library has a beautiful children’s space that I just discovered today!  I know Harmony and I will spend many inspiring hours there!!  :)  What an awesome free local resource.
8. Stews: the cost effective, quick, and delicious way to eat a healthy, balanced, organic evening meal!  (I know the list is feeling a little random right now — welcome to my life.)
9. Harmony’s Smile!
10. The opportunity to play a house concert on Jan 12th — my favorite kind of gig!  My performances are few and far between these days, so if you miss hearing me play, I’ll be doing all your favorite Christy songs a week from Saturday night in Warrington, PA… tickets are just $20.
11. You!  Thank you for caring enough to read my blog!

I became a Certified Reiki Master / Teacher last September.  It’s been a wonderful journey for me that continues to be a source of unfolding joy.  (I wrote a little about my personal Reiki Story on my web site, incase you’re curious, click HERE.)  Since then, I have taught a number of small private Reiki Classes (1-2 people per class) and completed the groundwork that I felt I should complete before taking the next step, and here I go…

I’m teaching my first ‘Open to the Public’ Reiki I Class next week!  Wha-who!!

Here are the details…

What: Reiki I Certification

When: Taught over Two Sessions:

Wed., July 18th, 11am – 4pm &

Wed., July 25th, 11am – 4pm

Where: Wycombe, PA (between Doylestown, PA & Newtown, PA)

Who: There are 3 folks registered already with room for just a couple more.

Cost: $150 per person, paid at time of registration

If you know someone who you think might be interested, would you please pass along the information to them?  If you’re interested, I’d love to talk to you about it!!  610-462-2813  christyj@me.com

Incase you’re scratching your head and wondering “What is REIKI?”…

Reiki is an ancient Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  It is a beautiful compliment to modern medicine, and it also stands on its own.  An increasing number of professionals in the wellness community — nurses, massage therapists, yogis, etc. — are adding Reiki to their toolboxes for helping others.  And the use of Reiki is not limited to these circles.  Many people from all walks of life who seek healing, balance, peace, and calm find their way to Reiki and adopt it into their lives to help themselves, their family, strangers, their friends, and even pets.  I have oodles more information about Reiki and Reiki I Certifications on my web site: www.christyjefferson.com

So that’s the scoop.  Maybe you’re intrigued.  And maybe not.  (I know it’s not for everyone.)  :)  But either way, thanks for loving me enough to read to the bottom!  Lol!

Warm smiles and Love all around!

Christy… and my Side Kick(er), Peanut the future Ninja!!

Photo courtesy of Shelly Jefferson Morton, my amazingly talented sister!  Check out more of her awesome photography at: www.kamiakcreek.wordpress.com

10. The major astronomical event of Venus passing between Earth and the Sun tonight… On June 5th!! Oh yea. Sha-zam!

9. Daytime lesson with a wonderful friend / student whose little girl I got to meet for the first time! Plus they surprised me with a sweet little birthday somethin-somethin.

8. Spa grade exfoliation treatment for my nose, and a purr massage, compliments of our kitty Onyx.

7. All those Facebook birthday wishes! I heard from people I love on both sides of the equator.

6. Birthday serenades! One via voicemail from Ray of Sunshine!! Love it! And one in real time from that hot shot kid brother of mine!!

5. The cards in the mail (from Fairy themed to lottery ticket endowed), phone calls, and texts from family and close friends.

4. My daily time spent singing to Peanut.

3. Picking up our baby crib at Babies R Us! Thanks, Mom! AND, Finishing our baby registry at Babies R Us. I was there for two and a half hours! A moment to vent… I’m so happy to be done this task!! Registering is completely overwhelming and exhausting, and requires an insane amount of energy and research. You know times are a-changing when butt paste thrills you!!

2. Right at this moment, it’s the first time I can feel the little Wiggler’s kicks externally with my hand! Holy mackerel! The kid was paying attention in kickboxing class before I had to throw in the gloves!!

And the number one birthday highlight is…..

1. Will gave me a dozen roses, and then we enjoyed OWowCow birthday cake leftovers. (The birthday cake was even our special flavor… Espresso, caramel, Indonesian Vanilla… Yummy, yummy!)

And a bonus… Grammy’s gonna make corn fritters for my birthday dinner with her, Will, n Mon this weekend or next!! Oh, yea! Wait till peanut gets a load of these morsels!

I love kickboxing! I love my friends in the class and kicking and punching a heavy bag. I love the view of the field and Bucks-County-blue sky out the window. But alas, I discovered some weeks back that my heart rate gets super high in this class; much higher than the 140 limit they set for pregers ladies these days. Of course, I immediately quit and called my OB, hormonally in tears, demanding a suitable alternative exercise that could take the place of what I was giving up.

The kind nurse reassured me that the MOST SAFE thing I could do for myself and my baby was to walk! Go for walks every day, she said!! So I tied my sneakers and left the house resolving that this would be the beginning of my safe new exercise regimen… and I got bit by a dog! Yea, you heard right. The neighbor’s dog ran out into the road barking fiercely at me, jumped up, and bit my arm.

It’s ok to laugh, because no permanent damage was done. But come on, really? Really?

So, now I walk with dog mace and despite my love of dogs, if I don’t know your dog’s name (and I do know most of the dogs by name on our street), and your dog comes out into the road barking at me, I’m afraid your dog isn’t going to get the benefit of the doubt.

The world has been warned!!

I enjoyed a long over due lunch date with a great friend, Krista Parrish, over the weekend.  She let me preview a song on her new album, and it was (like Krista herself), totally inspiring.

I’m so grateful for my girl friends in the music industry who believe in strength in numbers rather than coming from a place of competition.  It’s been one of my greatest sources of joy on this journey — teaming up with other strong talented women to collaborate on bookings (Krista and I teamed up to be featured on 6 ABC’s Tuned In music series which was filmed live at the Tin Angel some years back), live gigs, recorded albums, radio shows, and other opportunities… the list goes on.

I recently saw another great friend, Jolene, who I used to play with live regularly years ago.  One of my favorite memories with Jolene was the trip that she and I took with another friend to Nashville, TN, and we sang our way out of a speeding ticket.  The pictures above are Jolene and I jamming in her garage a week or so ago (you can see my baby bump, and that is a non-alcoholic Ginger Beer, just for the record)… she always lets me play her mandolin!  :)  THAT’s a Friend!  And there is nothing like playing music and doing harmonies with Jolene.  She backed me for a gig at the Tin Angel years ago that was recorded by the sound man at the venue and given to me as an unexpected ready to release live CD: “Live in Philly”.  I won an international song contest with one of the song off that album, “Comin Round”, and Jolene and I took another road trip together to upstate NY to perform the winning track at a festival.

Of course, it was never just that easy.  There was always something to overcome… an instrument theft that led to my writing that winning song; or loosing my voice and getting it back just in time for that that gig in upstate NY; or being pulled over for speeding, and serenading the officer.  Having other beautiful souls to share this journey with is what makes it joyful, empowering, and priceless.

So, here’s to Girl Power!  Cheers!  Christy

Greetings friends and music lovers!  I hope we are all able to play hookie from our lives to steal some amazing sunshine this week!  I won’t tell if you don’t.  ;)

So… I’ve been flying low on the radar… for good reasons:

1.  My private music studio has absolutely taken off, and I positively LOVE it!!  I do still have space for some new students, so if you know someone who loves music, then I would love to work with him / her!  I teach voice, guitar, and piano.  More info at: www.christyjefferson.com

2.  The truth is that I still need time off from gigging.  I’m not sure how long I need to lay low, but I’m honoring it… well… for the most part.  I do have a gig coming up next month in New Hampshire.  (What can I say, I’m gonna drive 5 minutes further north and score some Maine Lobster while I’m there!  How could that NOT inspire me to play?!?)  So, if you feel like driving 9 hours north and pretending to be a college student, then I’ll see you there!

3.  And — I’m getting butterflies I’m so excited to share this bit — I’m pregnant!!  My husband and I are expecting a little bundle of love in September, and we could not be happier about the pending new addition. (Anyone with baby stuff, clothes, etc they wanna pass on?)

To honor this amazing spring like weather we’re having, I got permission from my friend, Dawn Scheppach, to share an article that she wrote about cultivating Harmony.  (Cool, huh?)  I was tickled by all the ‘Harmony’ in her article (musician and all), and the insight of her words really resonated with me.  I feel inspired to tackle my spring cleaning now, and maybe you will, too.  I’ve also experienced Dawn’s services first hand, so if the article inspires you to seek out her help, I’d be happy to share my experience with her with you, which amounts to a glowing referral.  I feel so domestic… pregnant and sharing a Better Home ‘esque article in my newsletter with you.  LOL!  Life is good!

Love to all,
Christy Jefferson

Cultivating Harmony in the Home Creates Harmony Inside Each of Us.  

by Dawn Scheppach of Homes in Harmony©

Dawn Scheppach has a track record of Cultivating Harmony on scales big and small!  From Creating Kutztown’s Recycling Program (which became the model of recycling programs for the PA DER), to beekeeping, to the work she is doing through her current business, Homes in Harmony©, Dawn knows that cultivating a harmonious living and working environment results in a harmonious INNER space.  She is on a mission to educate and share that inner joy with you and me, just in time for Spring!

What is harmony?  Harmony is “a consistent, orderly, pleasing arrangement of parts,” according to dictionary.com.  How do you cultivate a “consistent, orderly, pleasing arrangement of parts” in the home?  And how does that outer harmony perpetuate inner harmony — that warm fuzzy feeling inside that whispers of balance, makes you sigh out loud, and leaves you grinning ear to ear?

To achieve the deep level of harmony that Homes in Harmony© provides to clients, the “parts” that need to be addressed are often the nitty gritty details that we never get around to making a priority in our busy lives.  It’s easy to underestimate the power of these small “parts”, but the truth is that inefficient systems in our homes (or workplace) left to their own devices cumulatively cost us enormous amounts of time and energy, while creating chaos.  This chaos is the antithesis to the harmony that we seek.  Involving each family member in the operation, maintenance and sensible care of ourselves and our homes will create and establish efficient, effective and enduring systems of Home Harmony.

How Does it Work?  A Harmonious Home Means Learning Self-Care.

As an example, lets look at one family who used to have a family room filled with “building block structures” covering the entire floor space — there was no way an adult could move through the room.

Homes in Harmony© teaches both adults and children how to take care of themselves, while instilling skills to handle daily life tasks.  The children needed to learn the self care of picking up after themselves when they were done playing.  In learning self care, an individual has more responsibility, self-confidence, and experiences more pleasure in daily life.  Lets see how it worked for the children:

Cooperative Family Involvement in Systems that Make Sense: 

• The children now have the responsibility of sorting and putting away their building toys once a week.
• The play occurring in the family room is now more creative and occupies less space.
• When they have friends over, the children invite their friends to help clean the area before they go home – they have learned the Harmony of sharing, of asking, and assuming responsibility.

No More Clutter, Big Attitude Shifts, Happy Children and Mom

This practical task of picking up toys is no longer viewed as a “chore” but as a joyful and proud accomplishment.  The children have learned empowering skills and utilize them.  Mom can count on the children to help sustain the Harmony in their Home.

The children are happy: their friends come over and the children play, Mom cooks extra food, and then the children and their friends pitch in to clean up the toys… and help with the lunch dishes.  This makes Mom happy!

When efficient systems of running your household are in place, each person is simultaneously contributing to the well-being of the others: Mom to children, and children to Mom.

Harmonious Home = Happy Family

Harmony has been increased in this home, because there has been shared joy and organized sustainability.  The simple act of addressing small systems that were not working to support “a consistent, orderly, pleasing arrangement of parts” in the home, replaced chaos with calm and joy.  In the words of my client, “…expecting (children’s) participation in the functioning of the household gave them a sense of competency and confidence, and freed my time for what I enjoy and do well.”  THIS is how Harmony in the Home creates Harmony within each individual, and within a family as a whole.

Spring is just around the corner, along with the domestic changes that come with the seasonal transitions — from spring cleaning, to summer break, to vacation, to summer camp.  Let Dawn help you with the change of rhythm in your home and family.  To schedule a consultation, please call 215-284-1459.  Homes in Harmony© specializes in Organizing & Cleaning, Instruction of Home Management, Creating Home Management Systems, and Other Foundational Skills — at rates for the working person’s wallet.  www.dawnscheppach.wordpress.com.  Referrals are available upon request.    

Life has been so exquisite the past few months.  I’m having so much fun doing unique projects with each of my music students!  And I must tell you an amazing unbelievable story about MY HARMONIUM soon, though not just yet.  Today was potent with magic on both of those accounts.  But also because I taught my first Reiki I Class!  It was really fantastic and inspiring.  It was an intimate private class for a dear friend of mine and her wonderful son who has special needs.  To accommodate the unique situation, we are breaking their Reiki I Class up into several sessions, and I am going to their home.  So I get to dance with bliss again tomorrow starting with an 8 AM chanting session / rehearsal (for a Kirtan that I’m leading on the solstice, 12/21) with my Harmonium and my friend Amber, and then continuing with a 9:30 AM Reiki I (Part II) class, and then concluding with some voice & music lessons!  Live is GOOD!!