Meet Alexandria Harrell | Music & Mindfulness Instructor

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

Hi Alexandria, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I believe the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is prioritize my mental health. When I am able to be fully present, emotionally agile, and have a sound mind I am a better mother and am able to be a better example for my kids.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I used to think that my proudest moment in my violin career was being on the Grammy stage with H.E.R. I now recognize that that was just a mere moment, a single footprint in my journey to Music & Mindfulness. I am so proud to have founded this company, and am most proud to be doing my part in bringing music back into our schools and supporting the mental health of our next generation through sound.

Music & Mindfulness came to me in a vision in my sleep. Since that day, I’ve quit my job of 12 years, survived one of the most financially challenging years of my adult life, all with a smile on my face because I knew that ultimately I had to sacrifice everything in order to gain a clear vision of my purpose. There’s no way that Music & Mindfulness would have the impact that it does it I was still trying to balance motherhood, a job, and build a new business without me losing myself in the process. It was not easy, but maybe also not as “hard” as people would think. I think the hardest part about changing career paths and pursuing your purpose is to completely submit to the unknown. Everything is terrifying, but you keep taking a step forward anyway because there’s something calling to you. It’s hard to set new boundaries. It’s hard to shift spending habits. It’s hard to ask for help.. . all until you continue to do that day in and day out, and it becomes just a bit easier. I’ve overcome a lot of these challenges by praying and giving all my worries and anxieties to God. Without him, I know that I wouldn’t be as blessed as I am today.

Some lessons I’ve learned along the way is that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. When we deny others the opportunity to help us before we even open our mouths to ask, in some ways it is disrespectful because we are already making decisions for them.

Other lessons I’ve learned are that we don’t actually NEED a lot of shit. As long as we have a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and clothes on our backs, we are more than okay. Showing gratitude after every purchase has changed my life. I buy exactly what I NEED even if I’m using my last, because I know that it’s coming right back. Money is energy. It’s so hard to explain, but just know that when you give with the confidence in knowing that it’s already on it’s way back to you, it happens every single time. It may not be exactly when YOU want it, but it’s on the way. We have to be open and willing to receive our blessings.

What I want the world to know about Music & Mindfulness, is that music is a necessity to have in schools. All STEM schools should be S.T.E.A.M schools. Period. Creativity expands our minds and allows us let go of restrictions, and to lean into feeling, and a sense of letting go. Creativity allows us a deeper connection to ourselves, and a level of confidence that we need to show up as our best selves in this lifetime. Sound brings imagery to life. Sound brings connection among human beings. During Music & Mindfulness sessions, I share with the students the correlation of sound & feeling. I share sounds of my own with my violin, and allow them the opportunity to hum their own tunes of what they think a certain feeling may “sound” like. I am able to donate violins to those students who have a genuine interest and whose families may not have the financial means to purchase the instrument for them. We openly talk about different feelings that come up on a daily basis. I promise you, it would blow your mind to know the emotions that children as young as 7 years old face on a daily basis. This program allows them a safe space to not only talk about them, but to learn how to manage and move through them in a healthy way. This program is changing the language throughout the schools that it is okay to not be okay. It is safe and more than okay to express how we are feeling, and that in that expression we are doing our part in creating change. In that expression we are the voice of another who may not have the courage yet to speak. It Is our responsibility as creators, young and old, to share and collaborate on thoughts and ideas so that we can create a better future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely go to the beach and enjoy a night chillin on the lifeguard tower listening to music & catching up. We’d take a drive down PCH, or catch the train to San Diego. In LA, I’d take them to visit Harold & Belles which is a Black owned Creole restaurant. On Sunday, we’d go to Post & Beam for live music and brunch, and for dinner we’d go to FarmHouse Kitchen on West Adams. We’d go to Delicious Pizza for food & beer, and honestly y’all? I have 3 kids under 7 and have been in the house for a while. So, I don’t know much else other than chillin at the house with my family, cooking really great food and enjoying time together! That’s what we’d do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this Shoutout series to my man, Julian, and our children Zara, London, and River. Each of them in their own individual ways have significantly changed my ways of thinking, and have contributed tremendously to the dedication and growth of Music & Mindfulness. Thank you guys. I love you.

Website: https://www.shyeeaze.com

Instagram: @shye__eaze