Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy L. Williamson.
Hi Christy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have had a lifelong love of music, especially the guitar. I taught myself to play. I studied how people would strum and how they would place their fingers on the fretboard. I was always amazed at how many sounds one could get from a single chord. By college, I was already writing my songs and singing in coffee houses and churches with my then-fiance; I thought I would major in music but I majored in Psychology instead.
While these experiences shaped me, my passion was connecting people to music. But I didn’t have a degree, was self-taught, and didn’t think I could do anything with this love for guitar. But I had this one persistent mother of a teenager I had in the youth group who begged me to give her daughter guitar lessons. I finally gave in, and that is how InTune Rhythm began. Since 2014, I’ve coached hundreds of students, from preschoolers to adults, how to play guitar and ukulele. It didn’t take me long to realize that teaching music brought out a lot of other “stuff” for people. I found more and more students opening up about their day or struggles and wanting to share their joys. I love that music was the catalyst for these connections. Music and wellness, to me, have always gone hand in hand. In my personal life, mindfulness has been a tool for me, just like playing guitar, to find calm and manage anxiety. In 2022, I was allowed to work with Green Heart Awakening Wellness Lab in Pendleton, SC, in leading Sound Healing classes. Since then, music and mindfulness have been at the heart of what I do. I finally feel like I’m following my North.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I began, guitar teaching was very male-dominated. It was rare to find a female instructor. However, my biggest challenge was the limiting beliefs I created around those thoughts. I had to believe I had a space to offer something different yet just as suitable as the male instructors.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Music Coach specializing in guitar, ukulele, and voice coaching. I teach using mindfulness practices – practicing with intention, accepting mistakes as part of learning, and relaxing tension in the upper body. Each session is customized and tailored to each individual’s goals. I am also a Sound Practitioner. Along with the guitar, ukulele, and my voice, I use various instruments such as singing bowls, chimes, and tuning forks, and each instrument has a unique sound and vibration to facilitate a calm, soothing atmosphere that positively affects overall well-being. I offer weekly group sound classes as well as individual sessions. I’m proud that I’ve combined my passions- mindfulness and teaching music – to provide a different way to learn and connect with music.
How do you define success?
It is being able to do what you love and sharing that gift with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.InTuneRhythm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intunerhythm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntuneRhythm
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/christy-l-williamson
