I grew up in a home where music was constantly being made. My sister, Rebecca, was playing piano before I could talk and by the age of three I was sawing away on a cardboard violin. By five I wanted to learn the piano because she made it look easy. It wasn’t. And finally, at the age of eleven I switched to the instrument I was designed to play, cello.
My mom, who is an incredible math teacher, created a well-rounded homeschooling curriculum that included extracurriculars of every kind imaginable: music, dance, theater, horseback riding, swimming, volunteering, etc. One of her highest priorities, other than a fine education, was to socialize us. And here I am now co-hosting a podcast. Well done, mom.
People always ask if Rebecca and I performed together much as kids. The answer is yes…but there may have possibly been a little sibling rivalry. Now as adults however, we have released an album, ‘Holidays with Sorella Duo’, and have one in the works. It’s amazing what time, space, and maturity can achieve.
My musical path has taken me through Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Boston, Montgomery, Alabama and finally, Sarasota, Florida. I have had incredible opportunities to perform in stunning music halls all over the world. Yet some of my most moving musical experiences have been playing in prisons, safe houses, schools, and shelters.
Upward Notes all started on my lanai one afternoon when I seemed to have too much time on my hands. I called the first non-profit that popped up on my Google Maps, Second Chance Last Opportunity, a community based social intervention program. I asked if they wanted a concert. They were a bit perplexed but open to the idea and graciously said yes. The next day I went to Starbucks, where all good ideas bloom, and came up with a name, hand-drawn logo, and last but not least, started a Facebook page. It was official. Upward Notes was created!
Slowly but surely I have crawled up one learning curve at a time and here we are five years later with our non-profit organization 501(c)3 status, a season worth of concerts, and people from all walks of life within the Sarasota community that know the name, Upward Notes. Our mission, bringing music out of the concert and into the community while teaching and encouraging the well-being for the audience and performer, takes us into addiction centers, foster child centers, jails, rehab facilities, schools, homeless shelters, and more.
Over quarantine, I became slightly obsessed with Positive Psychology, founded by Martin Seligman. I read the books, took the courses, even applied and was accepted into the Masters of Positive Psychology program at UPenn. My PERMA series on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram allowed friends and family to tune into a weekly concert for a program curated using the formula for well-being and flourishing.
Upward Notes has been an incredible outlet to continue this integration of Positive Psychology into performance. We are constantly searching for new ways to implement these studies to make an even deeper impact on the community.
