Conversations with Amyliza de Jesus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amyliza de Jesus.

Hi Amyliza, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a mom, board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), songwriter, and musician, and I’m passionate about using music and songwriting to connect, educate, inspire, and heal.

My parents immigrated here from the Philippines in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and so I’m a born-and-raised Nashvillian (one of the unicorns!) Starting in kindergarten, I started taking piano and violin lessons at Blair School of Music, which became my second home up until the time I graduated from high school. Also, my elementary school had great music teachers, who encouraged me to play and sing at various school functions. In middle and high school, I was known more for my athleticism, and music became my alter ego.

It wasn’t until I moved to the Midwest for college that I discovered my voice as a songwriter and honed those skills as part of the Chicago-based bands The Patterson Project and Back 40. Years later, through the Old Town School of Folk Music, I met “Little Miss Ann” – a Chicago kindie musician and fellow first-generation Filipina-American – who introduced me to the world of children’s music. Soon after, I joined the Little Miss Ann Band (background vocals, keyboard, violin, & mandolin), and went on to collaborate with Little Miss Ann on our award-winning album, Keep On. Two of my original songs from that album won individual awards: “L.O.V.E.” (2017 Honorable Mention in the International Songwriting Competition’s Children’s Music Category), and “The Senses Song” (2018 Finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.) That album brought us to amazing venues and festivals – even Pilgrimage Fest and Lollapalooza!

Currently, back in my hometown, I’m a social worker and engaged in as much music/music therapy as my schedule allows. I’m a songwriter for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music Program, as well as for Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project, in partnership with the local ensemble, Intersection. I also release music under the names Brighter Light Brigade (children’s/family music projects) and Old Town Troubadours (original “grown-up” music with my husband Andy Larkin). With the partnership of 8 Pound Gorilla Records, Brighter Light Brigade released two EPs last summer, whose songs have a common theme of socio-emotional health and explore topics such as emotions, self-awareness, connection, and community care.

I’m also currently working on a family album that celebrates my Filipino heritage and just released a single (“Kamayan”) with fellow Fil-Am kindie artists Mista Cookie Jar and Amanda Maestro for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing up, I was always really strong in math and science… but always loved the arts. As a child of immigrant parents, it was hard to break away from what was expected of me / their definitions of “success,” which in my specific case was to become a doctor. Also, growing up in Nashville was a double-edged sword. It was such a vibrant, creative place to be raised… and when I moved away for college, I quickly realized that it was truly unique in that way.

But also – because the standard of “musician” and “songwriter” is so high here, I always considered myself an outsider in that respect. I’m so grateful that I found music therapy – which blends science and the arts… and it also made me realize that the standards I placed upon myself were self-imposed. I’m so grateful to have found a community here that champions my voice (thank yous to the TriStar Sisters, She’s a Rebel, Kyshona Armstrong of Your Song, and Benn Park of Shoes Off Nashville).

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As I said, I’m a social worker/music therapist/songwriter, and I blend those aspects to create music whose aim is to connect, heal, and inspire. As a social worker/music therapist, I specialize in therapeutic songwriting (currently partnering with the aforementioned Lullaby Project and Your Song.) I’m also known for my children’s music that’s for the whole family (a friend likes to call it “children’s music that’s also for the grown-ups.”)

Through therapeutic songwriting, I’m honored that I get to help people tell their stories, encourage their creativity (which they often don’t connect to through songwriting), learn new skills, and then reflect their stories to them through a work of art – which is so powerful. And through my children’s / family music, I think my background as a Filipino-American and mental health professional brings a unique perspective to the genre. It’s inspiring to help people reconnect with their creative spirit, and then witness that spark grow into a bright light. I’m also so honored that my songs somehow find their way into the fabric of a family’s experience.

A few personal milestones come to mind when I think of performing in Nashville: the TriStar Sisters’ debut at Honky Tonk Tuesday Nights at the Legion in early 2020 (my first time singing onstage in town), being a featured soloist at the She’s a Rebel holiday show in 2021, my debut at the Bluebird Cafe as part of a benefit for Your Song, and Old Town Troubadours headlining last year’s API Heritage Month Arts Festival. Growing up, I didn’t see people who looked like me at the live music venues I frequented… and getting to maybe be that for somebody now is an honor I don’t take lightly or for granted.

What do you think about happiness?
Seeing people be their authentic selves makes me happy. I have a little one who is joy personified, and I want to protect that aspect of his personality. When I see others connecting to who they are/expressing it unabashedly, it’s so inspiring to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.teambrighterlightbrigade.com
• Instagram: @brighterlightbrigade, @oldtowntroubadours
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrighterLightBrigade/, https://www.facebook.com/OldTownTroubadours 

Image Credits
Laura Schneider – Laura Schneider Photo, Shantel Belcher – Philanthropy Photography, H.N. James – Punk Rock Photography, Hannah Miller – H.L.M. Photo, and Manda Costoulas