Meet Kimberly Haynes: Musician/artist & personal/professional coach + vocal coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Haynes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Being in a balanced relationship with work and play is essential to a well-rounded life and to good mental health. This can become particularly tricky when your work is also your play, as in music. One can find oneself unclear whether they are working or playing! This can lead to too much of a good thing. Especially, as it pertains to the independent artist who also has to do all their own administrative, marketing, and promotion. There was a time in the early days when it was difficult to sort out what needs attention. There is the musically creative part, which can mean long hours in the studio fleshing out the artistry of a song; all of the many tasks that have to be done in order to get the song launched and heard; booking live performances and so much more. Add to that, my professional coaching practice, family and children – and in my case, a terminally ill partner, plus time to just be with me. In order for all this to work, I had to get very good at time blocking and popping in and out of the various roles each of these things required of me. I had to get very good at looking ahead and planning, which can be a little tricky with creativity and inspriation…. they generally don’t like to be told when to show up. But with practice, I have really learned how to structure time and train my brain to switch gears when needed. Its definitely a skill. And one that is very rewarding. I think of balance as the essence of being able to inhabit multiple interests and aspects of myself 🙂

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a musician, I feel that I paint with words and music. In many ways, I see images first that then become words and music. My creative process is not a linear one either which sometimes can be challenging. With young children, I often have to drop whatever I’m doing to meet their needs. I have had to learn to be able to pop in and out of the creative process and pick up where I left off when I come back. Which is one of the reasons its taken me sooooo long to finish this interview process LOL Some things get lost, but I have learned to trust the unfolding. My path to where I am right now with my art is also strewn with false starts and interruptions, ranging from self-sabotage to parenthood to my partner’s terminal illness. But knowing deeply that my art is my soul’s purpose always keeps me pointed toward my True North and persistently returning to the music. As an Indie artist, marketing and promotion are the toughest aspects for me and has at times caused me to question the whole thing altogether. But, when I check in with my higher wisdom, I’m clear that my job is to make the art, trusting that there will be those who come along to support the dissemination of the work. Overcoming this challenge was a big hurdle, but it really made me dig deep to discover the true purpose of the art. Recognition and acknowledgement are really only a small piece of the puzzle. Using and sharing our gifts is part and parcel of having this human experience. When I sing, I know that I sing to and for Divine Love. I sing because I can and I must. Music Medicine Woman became my moniker when I was part of a meditation group. I offered music during our weekend retreats and my music became known as medicine. When I decided to start branding myself, the moniker stuck. I really do feel that it is medicine. As I have been walking the weary road of life after the passing of my beloved, I leaned hard into music, crystal bowls, toning, writing. These things have bolstered and encouraged me. I’m so very grateful to have music. It is truly life giving. It can open the heart, heal the heart.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow! Things are oh so different now, aren’t they? Going anywhere in these days of COVID feels like a fantasy! So, diving into the fantasy of a friend visiting, I think the first thing I would do is make dinner at my home at the top of Medley Lane in Topanga, dining al fresco on my deck overlooking the Santa Monica mountains. I feel so blessed to live up here in the beauty of nature, with the ocean only minutes away. The next day, we would probably go out to the beach for a morning walk, and lunch at Malibu pier. After lunch, we might take a wonderful hike out near Pt Dume, and then head back for a sweet meal at Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Ride bikes from Marina Del Rey down to El Segundo and back. Have a meal at The Rose Cafe afterward and then head home foran evening of music with friends here at my home. I love taking visitors on a horseback ride up at the Hollywood sign, and we would visit the Self-Realization Center in Santa Monica, followed by a cuppa at Juicy Ladies on Sunset and PCH. And, that’s only 3 days! Wowee! I think I would have to collapse after that LOL Maybe I would ask my guests to come only for three days 😉 Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My late husband championed all that I have endeavored to become and I owe a debt of gratitude to him for his unwavering love and support. Being married to a musician isn’t an easy life, but he made it seem so and he was always right there with a helping hand or an encouraging word. My music partner, Vito Gregoli, has been the holy grail in my journey from neophyte to seasoned musician. I am blessed to have his expertise, his artistry, and his friendship in my life. I know we will continue to go onto many projects in the future together. My family and friends – all of them – who have loved and supported me, near and far. Each one of them, a part of the backbone of my determination to keep going, keep creating, keep believing.

Website: www.MusicMedicineWoman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyhaynesmmw

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimhaynesmusic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimberlyHaynesMusicMedicineWoman/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/KimberlyHaynes

Image Credits
Photo by Mark Maryonovich