Author: susannahmars

St. Valentine’s Day is anon. I found myself wondering about this saint and his day. I have mixed feelings about the day itself; it brings joy to so many, and for the same number of humans, it likely brings despair and an echo of loneliness. Of course, there are many nuances of feeling for this … Read More

Courageous love and joy Reading through some writing and class notes from last year, I found this: “Liberation is food for the bellies and hearts of all; tender care of our miraculous planet and all living things on it, a collective sigh of love and gratitude; a tender bend into the cycle of life.” Yesterday … Read More

Precious Gems Happy Holidays 2025 What’s inspired you this year? As this year ends, I’m reflecting. I’ll share my inspirations; will you share yours? First, the song accompanying these photos — Precious Gems — was written by me during a 7-week songwriting journey collaborating with the brilliant Stephanie Schneiderman. Sharing stories and making art in … Read More

Each day begins and ends with me These are the simple and rich words that begin Judy A. Rose’s choral call to joy “A Jubilant Day.” I’m an alto in the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and this week’s rehearsal lifted me up and touched me deeply. As LaRhonda Steele, our directress, shared with us, stepping … Read More

I started a class with Stephanie Schneiderman in September. It’s title: You Are the Song. It’s a seven-week course that has led me and several other humans in a step-by-step process of lyric writing and melody composition to create, record and perform an original song. Yikes, right!? Not at all. Stephanie so tenderly and thoughtfully … Read More

Good morning, America, how are you?Say don’t you know me, I’m your native sonI’m the train they call The City of New OrleansI’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done I rode Amtrak last week, taking the route “The Empire Builder,” to Whitefish, Montana. The Portland station is a step back in time. … Read More

It’s you I like, Mr. Rogers I added It’s You I Like to my iPad this past couple of weeks because David Saffert and I — and if you haven’t purchased his new CD yet, there’s still time — are working on a series of songs by Fred Rogers. YES, that Fred Rogers, also known … Read More

Oh, it’s time to start livin’ I’m back to uploading music to forScore, and All Good Gifts is the first song in the “A” notebook to add. This song leads me to Stephen Schwartz — who composed that song for “Godspell.” That leads me to another show written by Mr. Schwartz, “Pippin.” Back in the … Read More

I missed May entirely. It’s audition season, and between learning complex cuts of Sondheim, Schwartz, and various other composers, I’m walking my artistic path prepping for a concert on Father’s Day, meeting with collaborators and dreaming up ideas that “light me up.” Because, you know what? I’m sixty-two years old, and if I knew thirty … Read More

April showers bring My sweet dad’s heavenly birthday was on April 4th. He would have been ninety years old. Oh, my goodness, how I would have loved to have had him in this world longer. Aging looked good on him, in both heart and mind. A prayer for peace This month I’m researching a show … Read More