For Jane, music wasnât always part of the plan. A year ago, she found herself in a hospital, recovering from depression and struggling to find direction. It was there, in an unexpected moment, that music began to work its way into her life. âI met someone at the hospital who mentioned the music room,â Jane recalls. â
Sometimes, people would play the piano, and it lifted everyoneâs spirits. It made the place feel a little lighter.â Thatâs when she heard about High Notes Avante and our free music lessons for individuals touched by mental health challenges.
After her discharge, Jane sought something to hold on to, a reason to look ahead. âI was drawn to it right away. Life was tough, and I needed something to focus on, something to look forward to.â At first, Jane didnât know what to expect. She joined the Music and Wellness class and started exploring two instruments: the guitar and the saxophone. âIâd never played an instrument before, so I was starting completely from scratch,â she says. The guitar posed a unique challenge. âBuilding callouses on my fingers was harder than I thought,â she laughs, âbut my teacher, Laura, was so kind and patient. She kept encouraging me, even when I struggled.â
The saxophone, however, felt different. It came more naturally to Jane, and she quickly fell in love with its sound. Her favorite piece so far? What a Wonderful World. âItâs my momâs favorite song, so learning it felt really special,â she shares.
The Music and Wellness class became one of her favorite experiences. The format was simple: each week, participants shared songs or pieces that held meaning for them. For Jane, these moments helped foster connection and belonging. âIt wasnât just about learning music,â she explains. âIt was about building a sense of community. Sharing music brought us closer together.â
As someone who admires artists like Adele, Jane found herself resonating with songs that mirrored her own emotional journey. âI was born in London, so Adeleâs music really speaks to me,â she says. But it wasnât just the music that mattered. It was the people. âStephanie and Laura, the teachers, were amazing. They created such a warm and welcoming environment. You could tell they genuinely cared.â
The lessons didnât just provide an outlet for creativityâthey made a tangible difference in Janeâs mental well-being. âMusic gave me something to focus on during a really difficult time,â she reflects. âIt improved my memory, my mood, and even my outlook on life. I always looked forward to the lessons because they brought some structure and positivity to my week.â
Janeâs progress has been remarkable. Sheâs nearing her 10th saxophone lesson and has been practicing guitar on and off for a year. While the road hasnât been easy, she feels grateful for the journey. âI never thought Iâd be able to learn an instrument, let alone two,â she says.
Without High Notes Avante, Jane knows this wouldnât have been possible. âThe cost of living is high, and lessons wouldâve been out of reach for me,â she admits. âThis program made it accessible. Itâs been a gift, truly.â
As Jane reflects on the past year, she feels immense gratitudeânot just for the music sheâs learned but for the connections sheâs made and the joy sheâs rediscovered. âItâs more than just lessons,â she says. âItâs about feeling supported, finding hope, and reconnecting with myself.â
For Jane, the melodies sheâs learning arenât just songs. Theyâre stories of resilience, woven together by the people and program that helped her find harmony again.