http://musicwellnesswithmckenzie.com/

Music Wellness with McKenzie, Harvard, IL (2025)

07/25/2025

We will be hosting WitchRunes on Saturday August 9th From noon until 8pm
15 min reading $25
30 min reading $50
Bindrune special $15
Bindrune special:
A personal bindrune can be drawn by Witchrunes for $15 and can be tattooed by one of our artists for an additional cost

07/22/2025

It's been quite a while since I've shared one of my concert experiences. I'm very excited for this to be my comeback show!

If you've kept up with some of my other posts, you've seen me mention The Records Department multiple times. The have hosted me to lead Music Wellness sessions, they showcase my WitchRunes artwork, and now, they've been a venue for Blue Moon Assault, my husband's band!

Dog Skull started off the night with some serious energy and riffs. It was so fun watching them get the crowd hyped up. I was very impressed by the amount of movement they got going and managed to contain in such a small space. If you like heavy music that makes you want to move, check out these guys from Grand Rapids!

Following Dog Skull was Blue Moon Assault. My favorite way to describe these guys is the heavy dad rock band of Milwaukee. They're truly unique in the influences they pull from, such as Black Sabbath (RIP Ozzy) and Alice in Chains. I was a little worried with how the crowd would take to them following Dog Skull given that they aren't quite as heavy, but it looked like everyone enjoyed BMA just as much!

This was an extra meaningful show given how special The Records Department is to us. This was Blue Moon Assault's first show in Illinois and a completely different crowd than they're used to playing for. While they typically play for the bar crowd, those in their early 40s - late 50s, folks attending this show were much younger, with probably half of them under 21! It was really moving getting to see just how much the younger generation craves live music. With how digital this day and age is, it's nice to see that some things really never change. As humans, we want, even NEED the energy and connection that live music brings. Keep supporting live music and the business that hold space for it!

07/15/2025

Can you believe all of the amazing new places I've had the opportunity to work with? Adding to my list in the ProHealth family, it's Regency Brookfield!

Last Monday I had my first visit with the residents in both Memory Care and Assisted Living, bringing them my Live Music Mindfulness session. Starting in Memory Care, I had a smaller group of about 7 residents. While a little quiet, it was first thing on a Monday morning, and I can understand feeling a little groggy! It was so wonderful watching their faces light up as they sang along to songs they recognized. As I got ready to head over to Assisted Living, I got lots of smiles and many thanks for bringing music to their home.

As I entered the Assisted Living wing, I already had a nice group ready and waiting for me! While getting set up, the group slowly got larger until it hit about 12 or 13 by the time I was ready to start. They also enjoyed having live music to start off their week. I had several folks asking me when I would be back again!

Thanks for having me, I hope to see you all again soon!

07/07/2025

About a week and a half ago, I had the pleasure of having my first session with the residents of ProHealth Regency New Berlin, and what an incredible experience we had!

Due to some big changes going on at the campus, we weren't entirely sure how many folks would attend the group. As I was getting set up, two lovely ladies arrived. Initially, I thought it would just be us, which was totally fine with me! I really do love leading small, intimate groups. It allows me to have deep, meaningful connections with those I'm working with. However, I was very pleasantly surprised when about halfway through, our group size increased to 7! This increase in size led to some really beautiful moments of connection taking place between residents. Because we did the Live Music Mindfulness session, several group members chose songs which reminded them of their deceased spouses. This led to several beautiful and touching moments as folks expressed the love they felt, and continue to feel, for their significant others' who have passed on. I was truly honored to have been the one to help facilitate these moments.

If you've ever happened to drive by Regency New Berlin, you'll have noticed that it's HUGE! With it being such a large campus, I can only imagine that it would be challenging getting to know everyone there. By choosing to attend my Music Wellness Session, residents were able to connect with others they had never even met before. By the time group was over, it sounded like a couple ladies were making plans to see one another again. Such a beautiful example of why I love using music to help people connect! I also had several others who were incredibly excited to hear that I'll be back again in July. I might be just as excited as you are!

Thanks again for the incredible experience. I'll see you in a few weeks!

06/27/2025

My next big shout out is The Records Department! I know I've gushed about these folks before, but I truly can't explain what an incredible place it is. It's not JUST a record shop. It's a place that doesn't just preach inclusivity, it actively puts it into practice. It's a place that connects with and supports its community, featuring art by local artists (mine included) and hosting workshops and classes. Last Friday, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to lead my Music Mandalas workshop there.

I led a small, intimate group of people in expressing themselves through music and art. Using the live music as a framework, folks tapped into their emotions and used their art as a way to understand and process their current emotional experiences. When working to build a healthy relationship with emotions, the first important step is identifying what the emotions are. The next step is mindfully observing them and understanding what is causing the emotional experience. From there, we can begin making changes if desired. Based on what I saw, my group members did an amazing job at identifying and understanding their recent experiences in order to start making those changes.

Thank you again to The Records Department for hosting me. It was a truly lovely evening. I look forward to continuing to work together to connect with the members of the Woodstock community!

06/26/2025

I'm a little behind on posting, but wanted to give New Perspective Waukesha a shout out for this month's visit!

As always, it was an absolute joy sharing music and connecting with the residents on their memory care unit. This month, instead of diving a little more into some of the moments I shared with residents, I want to give a HUGE shoutout to the staff that are in group with me each and every month. Aside from always greeting me a "Hi McKenzie!" and warm smile, I love watching the way they interact with the folks that they work with. I can always tell just how much the staff cares about their senior residents. Not only that they care, but that they have taken the time to really get to know those that they work with. I love seeing the genuine relationships that they've formed with the residents, and it truly warms my heart. The staff knows these folks far better than I will ever get to seeing them just once a month. By having these genuine relationships with the residents, they help me to bring music and joy for the hour that I'm there.

As always, thank you so much for having me. I'll see you in July!

06/25/2025

Alright everyone! I'm excited to share that after a lengthy hiatus, Virtual Music Wellness Groups will be returning!

What are Virtual Music Wellness Groups you may ask? These are community based wellness groups that are offered virtually. This means more options to engage in wellness and connection for anyone who has challenges making it to in person, community based groups! While the sessions that I'm able to offer virtually are a little more limited, I do love how much it opens up accessibility for those who are not in the Waukesha/Milwaukee area or who have transportation struggles. With these virtual offerings, you're able to connect with others through the comfort of the space of your choosing. While you may be participating in these groups with strangers, you can have friends and family from across the country join in as well!

Before I get the first couple groups scheduled, I want to hear from all of you regarding what time you would want these groups to take place. These groups will be 1.5 hours long on a weekday. What day/time works for you? Please share in the comments!

06/18/2025

It's easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the world that we live in. When was the last time you truly took time to mindfully sit with yourself? While sitting alone with your thoughts may be a scary prospect, there is much peace and awareness that can be gained from it if done in a space of connection and support. Join us for an evening of mindfulness as we explore mandalas and music.

This session will take place Friday, June 20th from 7:00 - 8:30pm at The Records Department. Learn more and register through my website or go to square.link/u/L8WolNoA to get your tickets directly. I hope to see you there!

06/15/2025

Enter a space of peaceful creativity, reflection, and connection with your higher power. Join us for an evening of music and art making.

This session will take place Friday, June 20th from 7:00 - 8:30pm at The Records Department. Learn more and register through my website or go to square.link/u/L8WolNoA to get your tickets directly. I hope to see you there!

Music Wellness with McKenzie

07/25/2025

07/22/2025

07/15/2025

07/07/2025

06/27/2025

06/26/2025

06/25/2025

06/18/2025

06/15/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category