"Thanks for your songs... Congrats on your work/play with children." - Pete Seeger

Laurie has been singing and writing songs her whole life - and so has Jeremiah!
They are stepping into this new calling of "music ministry" with great JOY!
We believe that our souls seek joy and singing is an awesome opportunity
to touch and express the essence of our bliss.
Music is Rooted In Our Souls!
When Laurie was growing up, her mom saw Sound Of Music one too many times
and turned the family of 7 into the "Vela Family Singers". They sang at various
community locations and events during her early childhood.
When Jeremiah was in utero, he went over 25,000 miles with his performing mom
listening to her sing, rhyme & "Mother Goose Rap".
Jeremiah also heard the song his mom wrote for him sung to him over and over.
When he was born c-section (51 hours after the water broke), Laurie spontaneously
sang his song as a way to touch him across the room. The effect was powerful for both
of their souls and for the hospital staff who dubbed her "their first singing c-section"!

Some of Jeremiah's songwriting is featured on the Small After Small CD; his line,
"One small thought gives the whole world energy" started the whole title track song.
He wrote the chorus of "I'm Just Right" at age 4 after soloing one of the verses
of Bob Blue's "I'm Not Scared" at the Children's Music Network's National Gathering.

Laurie has written hundreds of songs and produced 28 audio recordings
of songs and stories. She toured the nation's schools and libraries for well over
a decade and her style is one of encouraging participation rather than perfection.
Laurie has an MA in Education & curriculum design and believes in intentional content.
She is a long time member of the San Francisco Folk Music Club, The Children's
Music Network & The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.
Many of her current New Thought songs were born in developing the youth choir
at the Spiritual Life Center in Sacramento. You can hear some of their beautiful,
zealous voices on the latest recordings, Small After Small & I Am A Seeker:

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