For Jane, music wasnβt 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. βI met someone at the hospital who mentioned the music room,β Jane recalls. β
Sometimes, people would play the piano, and it lifted everyoneβs spirits. It made the place feel a little lighter.β Thatβs 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. βI was drawn to it right away. Life was tough, and I needed something to focus on, something to look forward to.β At first, Jane didnβt know what to expect. She joined the Music and Wellness class and started exploring two instruments: the guitar and the saxophone. βIβd never played an instrument before, so I was starting completely from scratch,β she says. The guitar posed a unique challenge. βBuilding callouses on my fingers was harder than I thought,β she laughs, βbut my teacher, Laura, was so kind and patient. She kept encouraging me, even when I struggled.β
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. βItβs my momβs favorite song, so learning it felt really special,β 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. βIt wasnβt just about learning music,β she explains. βIt was about building a sense of community. Sharing music brought us closer together.β
As someone who admires artists like Adele, Jane found herself resonating with songs that mirrored her own emotional journey. βI was born in London, so Adeleβs music really speaks to me,β she says. But it wasnβt just the music that mattered. It was the people. βStephanie and Laura, the teachers, were amazing. They created such a warm and welcoming environment. You could tell they genuinely cared.β
The lessons didnβt just provide an outlet for creativityβthey made a tangible difference in Janeβs mental well-being. βMusic gave me something to focus on during a really difficult time,β she reflects. βIt 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.β
Janeβs progress has been remarkable. Sheβs nearing her 10th saxophone lesson and has been practicing guitar on and off for a year. While the road hasnβt been easy, she feels grateful for the journey. βI never thought Iβd be able to learn an instrument, let alone two,β she says.
Without High Notes Avante, Jane knows this wouldnβt have been possible. βThe cost of living is high, and lessons wouldβve been out of reach for me,β she admits. βThis program made it accessible. Itβs been a gift, truly.β
As Jane reflects on the past year, she feels immense gratitudeβnot just for the music sheβs learned but for the connections sheβs made and the joy sheβs rediscovered. βItβs more than just lessons,β she says. βItβs about feeling supported, finding hope, and reconnecting with myself.β
For Jane, the melodies sheβs learning arenβt just songs. Theyβre stories of resilience, woven together by the people and program that helped her find harmony again.