Soaring Together
Ryan Judd
April 15, 2021
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Who is Ryan Judd the artist? How does Ryan Judd the private citizen differ from Ryan Judd the creative mastermind?
Wow, I don’t think I can really compartmentalize the artist within me. My music is influenced by so many different facets of my life that I really look at it from a more holistic point of view. My work as a music therapist influences my work as an artist. My role as a father, friend, son, and husband, all play into my art and give me the inspiration to compose meaningful works of art. The experiences that “private citizen” Judd has had, feed the soul of the artist within me. |
Photo: courtesy of the artists |
How do you tackle a day’s tedious part of any workload with the help of music?
Ha! Well, although answering these insightful questions is anything but tedious, I’m listening to some Chillhop to keep the energy and focus up. I lean toward Lofi, Chillhop, and Electronica music, especially when I’m doing something that isn’t particularly captivating.
Music helps keep me feeling more alive and engaged.
Who plays an essential role in your own life inspiring you to create and perform?
Well, that would go back to the loved ones in my life. Whether that’s one of my boys, my Mom, a childhood friend, or a young child with cancer who I had the honor of working with - they all have enriched me and given me many deep emotions to work through.
It's the music that helps me relive and embrace the deepest of memories, both joyful and sorrowful. I tend to dive more into sad memories since these often get stuck and call for an acknowledgment and expression. For me, music brings me back again and again to those times and feelings so I can process them.
Obviously, the pandemic fatigue has affected us all. How have you dealt with it?
Oh yeah, it’s been a hell of a year, but whenever I find myself complaining, I always bring it back to gratitude.
When I think how crazy it is to have my 3 and 6 year old sons home all day every day, I think about the single mom living in a 1-bedroom apartment with 2 kids.
When I get bummed about not being able to hang out with friends, I think about the brilliant technology that allows us to easily connect in different ways.
Also, I feel so fortunate to have the sales and streaming royalties from my music take a huge jump over the past 12 months. Since many of my listeners use my music for relaxation, sleep, meditation, and yoga, I have seen a big bump in people checking my stuff out and using it to enhance their lives.
Why is music therapy an effective way of finding a much-needed balance for any overworked mind and body?
My specialty as a music therapist is working with individuals with special needs, and many of them are bombarded with sensory input, anxiety and daily challenges. The beautiful thing about our sessions is that they get to experience a break from all of this strife by immersing themselves in the music. Music also allows my clients to work on speech, communication, motor skill, social skill and anxiety reduction goals without it feeling like work to them. Music keeps it fun, motivating and engaging, and these sessions enhance the well-being of my clients as well as myself.
Where do you escape to reboot?
My meditation cushion. For instance, the other morning, I woke up in a funk. I’m not sure what was going on, but I definitely wasn’t fired up about getting my day going. I snuck downstairs while the rest of the family was still snoozing and sat down for my morning meditation.
By working with some of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, I was able to find my light again and when the kids came down, I was ready to be present and to have to fun.
Do you enjoy other forms of art? Who are some artists who have helped you stay motivated in recent months?
What I enjoy most is the art of nature. I’m blessed to be surrounded by forests, fields, and wildlife. Getting outdoors, taking a slow look around, and trying to experience it as if it were the last time I could, always sets me right.
I would say the universal artist, Mama Nature, is who I find myself turning to again and again.
We have an ongoing campaign titled #BeatTheBlues on ways to prioritize mental health. What does Ryan Judd - the music therapy guru do to #BeatTheBlues?
It’s pretty obvious that I would say music, right? But instead of pushing away from the blues, I move towards it. Just this morning, my heart was heavy and it was stifling the beauty that surrounded me. I put on some somber, evocative music, tapped into my heart and let the tears roll.
Music is a warm, forgiving, non-judgmental blanket of sound that allows us to go to those uncomfortable spaces and explore what’s there.
Now, I’m not saying that this is the cure all for clinical depression or trauma. That is on a much deeper level and it calls for help from a therapist or support group. However, when it comes to just feeling blue, this approach can be a very effective way to explore the roots of a feeling, and to release the hold it has on us.
Are there any special projects that you are looking forward to sharing with the world in the coming weeks or months?
Oh yeah, I’ve got a lot of cool projects happening. I’m really excited about putting out some new guided meditations for children. I love writing these and using my calming music as the background. It’s so rewarding to know that children who are struggling with anxiety, stress, self-doubts, or other challenges are benefiting from these. It’s the type of project that artistically blends my meditation practice with my love of music, and passion for helping others.
What made you smile today?
Talking with my close friend, Jon Modell, about a new music project that we are collaborating on. I strive to surround myself with people who are smarter and more experienced than me, and that is certainly the case with this dude. I just go into sponge mode and try to not miss anything.
To enjoy more of Ryan Judd's music, visit his website here.
Ha! Well, although answering these insightful questions is anything but tedious, I’m listening to some Chillhop to keep the energy and focus up. I lean toward Lofi, Chillhop, and Electronica music, especially when I’m doing something that isn’t particularly captivating.
Music helps keep me feeling more alive and engaged.
Who plays an essential role in your own life inspiring you to create and perform?
Well, that would go back to the loved ones in my life. Whether that’s one of my boys, my Mom, a childhood friend, or a young child with cancer who I had the honor of working with - they all have enriched me and given me many deep emotions to work through.
It's the music that helps me relive and embrace the deepest of memories, both joyful and sorrowful. I tend to dive more into sad memories since these often get stuck and call for an acknowledgment and expression. For me, music brings me back again and again to those times and feelings so I can process them.
Obviously, the pandemic fatigue has affected us all. How have you dealt with it?
Oh yeah, it’s been a hell of a year, but whenever I find myself complaining, I always bring it back to gratitude.
When I think how crazy it is to have my 3 and 6 year old sons home all day every day, I think about the single mom living in a 1-bedroom apartment with 2 kids.
When I get bummed about not being able to hang out with friends, I think about the brilliant technology that allows us to easily connect in different ways.
Also, I feel so fortunate to have the sales and streaming royalties from my music take a huge jump over the past 12 months. Since many of my listeners use my music for relaxation, sleep, meditation, and yoga, I have seen a big bump in people checking my stuff out and using it to enhance their lives.
Why is music therapy an effective way of finding a much-needed balance for any overworked mind and body?
My specialty as a music therapist is working with individuals with special needs, and many of them are bombarded with sensory input, anxiety and daily challenges. The beautiful thing about our sessions is that they get to experience a break from all of this strife by immersing themselves in the music. Music also allows my clients to work on speech, communication, motor skill, social skill and anxiety reduction goals without it feeling like work to them. Music keeps it fun, motivating and engaging, and these sessions enhance the well-being of my clients as well as myself.
Where do you escape to reboot?
My meditation cushion. For instance, the other morning, I woke up in a funk. I’m not sure what was going on, but I definitely wasn’t fired up about getting my day going. I snuck downstairs while the rest of the family was still snoozing and sat down for my morning meditation.
By working with some of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, I was able to find my light again and when the kids came down, I was ready to be present and to have to fun.
Do you enjoy other forms of art? Who are some artists who have helped you stay motivated in recent months?
What I enjoy most is the art of nature. I’m blessed to be surrounded by forests, fields, and wildlife. Getting outdoors, taking a slow look around, and trying to experience it as if it were the last time I could, always sets me right.
I would say the universal artist, Mama Nature, is who I find myself turning to again and again.
We have an ongoing campaign titled #BeatTheBlues on ways to prioritize mental health. What does Ryan Judd - the music therapy guru do to #BeatTheBlues?
It’s pretty obvious that I would say music, right? But instead of pushing away from the blues, I move towards it. Just this morning, my heart was heavy and it was stifling the beauty that surrounded me. I put on some somber, evocative music, tapped into my heart and let the tears roll.
Music is a warm, forgiving, non-judgmental blanket of sound that allows us to go to those uncomfortable spaces and explore what’s there.
Now, I’m not saying that this is the cure all for clinical depression or trauma. That is on a much deeper level and it calls for help from a therapist or support group. However, when it comes to just feeling blue, this approach can be a very effective way to explore the roots of a feeling, and to release the hold it has on us.
Are there any special projects that you are looking forward to sharing with the world in the coming weeks or months?
Oh yeah, I’ve got a lot of cool projects happening. I’m really excited about putting out some new guided meditations for children. I love writing these and using my calming music as the background. It’s so rewarding to know that children who are struggling with anxiety, stress, self-doubts, or other challenges are benefiting from these. It’s the type of project that artistically blends my meditation practice with my love of music, and passion for helping others.
What made you smile today?
Talking with my close friend, Jon Modell, about a new music project that we are collaborating on. I strive to surround myself with people who are smarter and more experienced than me, and that is certainly the case with this dude. I just go into sponge mode and try to not miss anything.
To enjoy more of Ryan Judd's music, visit his website here.
