We recently connected with Catherine Sipher and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Catherine , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
This past year, I published two projects close to my heart.
In September 2024, I published my first poetry memoir called Barely a Whisper: Poems From the Heart of a Woman Re-becoming.
The lines of these poems were composed in the in-betweens of life…. inside the chrysalis. You know, that part in the butterfly lifecycle when the caterpillar turns into goo – when the caterpillar is no longer and the butterfly hasn’t yet formed.
It was a messy time, for sure, a time-
in between dreams and reality,
in between knowing, unknowing, and learning to know anew,
in between tears, grief, confusion, and fear,
in between household tasks,
in between mothering precious little ones,
in between building a business,
in between figuring out who I am.
The most amazing part, to me, about this transformation, is that the butterfly/caterpillar knows what to do. It is written into its DNA. The caterpillar’s hero (so to say) is not the butterfly (its future self) or any outside component. This creature’s hero is found inside, built into the very fibers of its being.
So it is for me. So it is for you.
Our hero is found inside… when we give it space to get messy and space to be heard.
This collection was written while I was in the chrysalis of life on several fronts.
Sharing this collection of raw and relatable poems exploring themes of self-discovery, self-love, self-acceptance, and the unwavering strength found within us all, pushed me to the edges of what I thought I was capable of doing. Yet, I felt an urgency to write and share this collection as a way to remind others that they are not alone on their journey of self-discovery, that their hero lies within, and that they can live beyond their whispers.
Publishing this collection with great success (It was a #1 Best Seller in Newly Released Religious and Spiritual Poetry) encouraged me to devote more time to writing and sharing my memoir vignettes and poems and to help others turn their whispers into a roar through the power of journaling.
In July 2024, I published a practice journal for adult music learners called Notes to Self: A Guided Mindful Practice Journal.
Music was my first love. From the age of 8, I knew I wanted to become a piano teacher. By age 16, I was studying three instruments and teaching piano to neighborhood children. I went on to study music in college and later had an in-home piano studio. After a time raising and homeschooling my six children, in April 2020, I returned to teaching full-time and re-exploring the power music had to heal my heart through my own practice sessions.
The only trouble was, I was a newly divorced mother to six rebuilding my life and building a business. I had no time to practice, yet it was calling me. I started slowly by setting a goal to practice ten minutes each day. By being intentional about my practice time and utilizing effective practice techniques I learned in college, I saw steady progress. I increasingly began to talk to my students about the power of intentional, mindful, focused practice sessions. In our conversations, I noticed one crucial element to my student’s musical growth – the need for celebration. I started opening each piano lesson with the question, “What are you celebrating about your piano progress this week?” With that little bit of encouragement, I noticed my students were more motivated to practice and were consistently growing as musicians.
So, I decided to develop a tool to help my students bring intentionality and celebration to each practice session. This journal is the result of that effort.
The “Notes to Self: A Guided Mindful Practice Journal” was carefully designed to approach practicing in a mindful way that leads to self-celebration and joy in the journey.
Seeing my students (and others) utilize this tool makes my heart soar. Seeing a vision I had come to life and musicians using my tool with great success has been very rewarding.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As a remote piano teacher, I provide online piano lessons to youth and adults, ages 5 and above. I offer a variety of lesson lengths and frequencies to best fit the student’s needs. Lessons are specifically tailored to each individual student. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, virtual lessons allow you to learn at your own pace with personalized instruction. Take piano lessons from the comfort of your own home and avoid the hassle of commuting to a physical location. My online piano students learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced techniques with the individualized music education that I provide, regardless of whether they aspire to be the next Beethoven or Elton John. I offer online recitals, monthly group performance classes, monthly music appreciation lessons, access to a music assignment app and practice tool and so much more! www.blossompianostudio.com
As a poet/author, I write and share my work on Substack through the publication “From a Whisper to a Roar Community.” catherinesipher.substack.com
I also offer writing circles and workshops designed to support individuals in their journaling journeys. Journaling is a way of slowing down, checking in, and tapping into our inner being that so easily gets lost in the hustle of the day. The From a Whisper to a Roar Writing Circle is a time to gather online, discuss journaling as a tool for self-discovery, write in silence together, and reflect on the process. I provide a writing prompt or two for inspiration (take it or leave it). There is no expectation that anyone will share their writing with the group – in fact, we don’t share our writing! This group is about writing to heal, not about becoming writers! This is an opportunity to carve time out of our busy schedules, to sit in silence undistracted, connect inwardly through the gift of writing, and reflect with the group about the power of writing in each of our lives.
I also offer Monthly Writing Prompt Journeys designed to help individuals discover, understand, and release their inner hero, the one waiting to break free from the shadows. Through each month’s themes and prompts, users discover valuable insights about themselves – their dreams, passions, interests, and perhaps a little healing. Individuals can journal in the guide or in their own notebooks. Each downloadable guide contains a bonus one-page summary of all the writing prompts included in the guide. www.catherinesipher.com
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Connecting soul to soul through my art is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.
Creating art, for me either through words or music, is a personal endeavor. When my efforts are not only received, but have touched someone’s heart, moved their emotions, caused them to think about themselves and the world differently, or inspired them to take action or make their own art.– that is the best feeling. We create art because our souls demand it. We share art because our stories must be told. We experience art because our souls yearn to make sense of the human experience and connect with others doing the same.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My creative journey is currently driven by my deep desire to normalize transformation. We do not have to remain the same person we once were if we don’t want to. We can blossom and grow, especially when we slow down long enough to hear the whispers of our inner voice. At least, that’s what happened to me. What began as a few questions and observations in my journal became the changed and beautiful life I’m living now. My quest in my art, as a writer and a musician/piano teacher, is to continue that exploration, to share that journey with others, to help others feel less alone in the unfolding of their story, and to inspire others to take the reigns of their life and turn their whispers into a roar. I use my art and teaching skills to guide individuals in their growth journeys because each one of us matters. Our stories deserve to be lived and told.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blossompianostudio.com and www.catherinesipher.com
- Instagram: @blossompianostudioma and @catherinesipher
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blossompianostudioma and https://www.facebook.com/catherine.sipher
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blossompianostudioma
- Other: https://catherinesipher.substack.com
Image Credits
Photography by Lindsay Hite