Ella Fitzgerald said, ”The only thing better than singing is more singing!” Use song to find wellness in ourselves, each other, and our world. In each episode, Patricia introduces a song that she trusts to help her navigate life. These songs provide a great soundtrack to your day — whether it’s comfort, presence, delight, grief-tending, or simply easing the way. Periodic interviews with song creators add color and understanding. Songs have helped Patricia heal, adapt, and grow, and she hopes these selections will become companions for you as well. Visit the website, abreathofsong.com, to learn more and suggest a song!
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Song: What A Gift
Music by: Angela Gabriel
Notes: What a gift it was to be in conversation with Angela Gabriel -- we talked about how to deal with having been "poked in the voice" -- and the sensation of healthy singing. -- What was "one of the most idea shattering things" Angela has ever done in her life, and how "that butterfly excitement" led her there. How she's gotten to a place where, "I don't shame myself anymore," and a slew of adulting tactics she practices. ("I have a lot of arrows in my quiver.") How community singing can show up in activist spaces, where "it is difficult, but it doesn't have to be somber." How she sets up her own space -- "I actively choose to make it colorful..." and how that helps with healing. "The tremble" when singing for someone who is dying. Percussion and how it that has made Angela's voice distinctive in community singing songs... SO many things I loved in our conversation, not to mention this song!
Songwriter Info: Angela is a performer, a teacher, a facilitator, and a lifelong learner. Her mission in life is to facilitate expressive creative, musical, and vocal experiences and to encourage folks of any age and background to replace judgement with curiosity and open themselves to their unique, creative flow.
Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Angela always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.
Song Learning Time Stamps:
Start time of teaching: 00:04:55
Start time of reprise: 01:22:01
Links:
Moira Smiley: Leather Britches: https://moirasmiley.com/downloads/leather-britches-2/
“The Truth” – Velma Frye: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/18-the-truth#/
Josh Habermann – Santa Fe Desert Chorale: https://desertchorale.org/about/our-people/#artistic_director
Susan Swaney – choir director in Bloomington UU church: https://www.uubloomington.org/about/our-ministers-and-staff/
Kate Munger – Women Singing In Circle retreat: https://www.lamafoundation.org/engage/events/women-singing/
Threshold Choirs: https://thresholdchoir.org/
Melanie DeMore: https://melaniedemore.com/
Becky Reardon: https://beckyreardonmusic.com/
Terri Garthwaite: https://terrygarthwaite.com/
Poor People’s Campaign: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/
Pam Blevins Hinkle – No Kings Song doesn't seem to be online yet, but her website is https://pamblevinshinkle.com/
Online group called “Lumos Transforms”: https://lumos-transforms.mn.co/
PetCanvas: https://mypetcanvas.com/
Mbira: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbira
Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington, IN: https://www.uubloomington.org/
Rhiannon’s All the Way In improvisation class: https://rhiannonmusic.com/2026-all-the-way-in
“I live my life in a river of grace…” Kate Munger: https://thresholdchoir.bandcamp.com/track/life-grace-trust
Yes – Fragile: https://www.yesworld.com/discography/fragile/
Willow Smith – Empathogen: https://willowsmith.com/products/empathogen-digital-download
Angela's website: www.angelagabriel.me
Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, blues minor, 2 layers and body percussion
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