The Music Starts With YOU
What I Do
Through the curation of heartbeat recordings, HeartSync Music works to provide a unique and personalized service that combines the recording of yours and/or your loved ones’ heartbeats incorporated into chosen or original music to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake and therapeutic music experience. This legacy project could be for you or your loved one if you want to preserve a special memory, share a message with loved ones, or feel close to someone near or far. This can be used in all stages of life—from new parents who want to capture their child’s heartbeat to families who want to commemorate lasting moments together at end of life and any life season in between. Rhythm is a core element of music. We all carry a unique rhythm within ourselves through the beat of our heart. HeartSync Music will walk with you to turn your unique rhythm into a meaningful and lasting legacy. A heartbeat recording represents who we are, who our loved ones are and how important they are to us - the music starts with YOU.
What is a Heartbeat Recording?
Heartbeat recordings, also known as Amplified Cardio Pulmonary Recordings (ACPR), are an individualized legacy project that uses an actual recording of you and/or your loved ones’ heartbeat synced artistically into special music. It starts with a board-certified music therapist recording the subject’s heartbeat into a music recording program using a specialized stethoscope (seen in the picture). The music therapist will then work with you and your loved ones throughout the rest of the project to decide on special music to integrate the heartbeat with, or perhaps write or improvise music to express thoughts and emotions. In the end, you are provided with a recording of your project that you can listen to anywhere as well as a separate recording of the heartbeat itself. Music is very closely tied to our memories and our identities. Through all of the extraordinary and ordinary moments in life, the music stays with us. Your music, integrated with the music from the very core of us- our heartbeat- makes for a timeless and invaluable, family-centered legacy.
What does the project sound like?
Each heartbeat recording is unique. This project is meant to celebrate your life, your special moments and your memories. The possibilities are endless. Some heartbeat recordings are incorporated into popular music that holds special meaning: wedding music, children’s songs, songs from significant moments in your life. Other heartbeat recordings have you or your family members playing instruments on the track with the special music, or perhaps an original song. Sometimes, the heartbeat is incorporated into music that is improvised on the spot. Maybe, we will record a spoken-word message along with the music and heartbeat. We could also work together to rewrite lyrics of a special song that we integrate with the heartbeat. There are unlimited ways to personalize and be creative so that each heartbeat recording is unique and represents YOU. Each heartbeat recording comes out unique and different. I will work with you, step-by-step throughout the creation of this project to provide a unique, memorable, therapeutic music experience that highlights and encapsulates yours and your loved ones’ life, love and story for a lasting legacy.
Samples
Below, are some heartbeat recordings that I completed with my own family and some replications of projects I’ve been a part of in the past. Listen below to what a completed heartbeat recording can sound like.
Amazing Grace
This is a replication of a heartbeat project I completed with a hospice family. We customized the music of this popular spiritual to meet exactly what made them feel comforted and special.
Can’t Help Falling in Love
This is another replication of a heartbeat project I completed with a hospice family. This song was very special for a husband and wife who completed this project. This gave the wife a chance to leave something for her husband, while engaging in life-review throughout the process. The husband felt he was able to connect with his wife throughout her transition and after her passing.
The Last Time I Felt Like This
This is also replication of a heartbeat project I completed with a hospice family. This was a wedding song for this particular couple. This project helped them relive and reflect on that special moment in their lives. They took part in the project by not only adding their heartbeat, but choosing the arrangement as well.
Meditation
This is an example of an improvised piece. That means music that is composed “on the spot”. This is a great opportunity for someone to engage in self-expression and emotional processing. This piece was created using a reverie harp- a beautiful instrument that anybody can play! (Seriously, even if you’ve never played an instrument before!)
Improvisation
This is also an example of an improvised piece. This one uses all digital instruments. Again, something that allows literally anybody to create music! The possibilities are endless this way. All of this was created on the computer (except for the heartbeat, that was created by me!)
If We Were Vampires
This heartbeat recording uses one of the songs my husband and I had at our wedding. The original artist, Jason Isbell, is a mutual favorite of ours. We have listened to his albums over and over and we have even seen Jason live a few times. You will hear both my heartbeat and my husband’s heartbeat on the track. We played all of the instruments on this recording!
Purple Monkey
This heartbeat recording uses my infant daughter’s heartbeat. I created this so I could feel close to her as I transition from maternity leave back into working life. We have listened to this song over and over because she loves her “Kick N’ Play” piano—which is where this song comes from. I now sing it to her every night before bed. You will hear her heartbeat and her playing the “Kick N’ Play” baby piano on the track!
Rates
Heartbeat Recording Project
$250
You will be provided with two thumb drives and up to four CDs with your heartbeat recording. I will also work with you to find the best way to share your project digitally, depending on your preferred devices. Each project comes with two tracks: yours and/or your loved ones’ heartbeat alone and the heartbeat incorporated into your special music. Because each project is unique, we will work together on the amount of sessions needed (in-person or virtually) to complete the project. Sessions will conclude upon completion and follow-up of project.
*This service would be covered under waiver services if appropriate to careplan.
Individual Music Therapy Services
HeartSync Music is taking clients for ongoing music therapy services as well. Music therapy services are available to a wide range of clients. Please reach out for more information or to set up a consultation and intake. Payment can be made through waiver services or private pay.
$100 per 50 minute session
$80 per 30 minute session
Sessions take place via telehealth, your home or at your treatment or educational facility.
Group Music Therapy Services
The standard rate for group music therapy is $180 for 60 minute sessions. Group music therapy sessions may take place in facilities or via telehealth. Examples include nursing homes, schools, group homes, inpatient or outpatient substance use treatment and residential treatment facilities. Please reach out for more information or to schedule a consutlation.
Sessions take place via telehealth, or at your treatment or educational facility.
About Me
Despite coming from a non-musician family, I was drawn to music when I first heard the sixth-grade orchestra teacher play "My Heart Will Go On" on the violin. After that, It was a done-deal. I knew I had to play music...well, violin. I began playing violin during grade school and continued my interest in music all the way through college. I gained interest in singing and playing additional instruments during my musical journey. I received training in violin and other instruments throughout my college experience. I attained my Associate of Fine Arts in music in 2010 and finished with a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Augsburg University in 2013.
I began practicing as a board-certified music therapist in 2014 (for more information on music therapy, scroll down to the “FAQ” section!). I spent the first seven years of my practice as a hospice music therapist. This is where I gained my experience and passion for providing heartbeat recordings. I established the heartbeat recording program with that hospice team. I have also established one at the hospital I currently work with. I left hospice care in 2021 to provide music therapy in mental health. I continue to be in awe of the power and humanity of music. I am forever grateful to be a witness and facilitator of this every day!
Outside of being a music therapist, I have spent time as a fiddle player in local gigging bands and doing session work for many years. I still sit in with friends’ bands from time to time! I am also a wife and a mom to a wonderful little daughter, two cats and a french bulldog named Stewie. I love being outside, going running and jamming with my husband, who is also a musician.
FAQs
What is the process to creating a heartbeat recording?
We will start with an intake assessment to make sure we are creating a special and individualized therapeutic experience. It is important that this project is specific and special to you! We would then begin the process of recording yours or your loved ones’ heartbeats. I will then work with you in as many sessions as it takes to complete the project. We can meet virtually, over the phone and in-person. The only session that is required to be in-person is the recording of yours or your loved one’s heartbeat. Sometimes our sessions may be discussing and sharing ideas, sometimes it may be me assisting in recording you or loved ones who want to be on the recording.
Who Makes the music that goes with the heartbeat?
There are many answers to this question! It can be me, but it can also be you or any family members that want to contribute! I am there to support you in creating a legacy project that is all about YOU. Even if you’ve never played an instrument or sang, I can assist you in creating music for this project (trust me, there are ways!). We can also use pre-recorded music, recordings of live music and recordings of your voice talking or sharing a message. The possibilities for this type of project are truly endless. The most important thing is that this is a meaningful experience and lasting legacy for you and your loved ones.
Where did this type of project start? Who else does this?
The heartbeat has been incorporated into music in many cultures. However, The heartbeat recording (ACPR) was created as a music therapy intervention by Brian Schreck MA, MT-BC, a music therapist based at the Norton Cancer Institute in Kentucky. He is a brilliant music therapist and a leader in the field. Learn more about Brian and his use of ACPR here: https://www.amplifiedcpr.org/.
Following Brian’s innovation, heartbeat recordings or ACPR have become more common as a music therapy intervention. Music therapists use this intervention in many settings such as: hospitals and medical settings mental health, hospice care and pediatric healthcare.
What is music therapy?
Music Therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional (MT-BC) who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare & educational goals:
Promote Wellness
Manage Stress
Alleviate Pain
Express Feelings
Enhance Memory
Improve Communication
Promote Physical Rehabilitation
and more
(Courtesy of American Music Therapy Association)
Learn more here: https://www.musictherapy.org/
