Believe Music Heals
is dedicated to bringing
healing through music
to those who need it most.
We are a not-for-profit organization that brings people peace and hope during times of distress and hardship, or at the end of their lives, by using music as a vehicle for self-expression, creativity, comfort, and transformation.
Support Believe Music Heals
The story of ‘Bernie and The Believers’ is the most powerful I’ve ever come across at the Tiny Desk.”
—Bob Boilen, Host and creator of NPR’s ‘All Songs Considered’ and The Tiny Desk Concert series
Essence Goldman
Essence Goldman, Founder and Executive Director of Believe Music Heals, award winning singer-songwriter, has been immersed in art and music since childhood…
Healing Through Music
Healing through music is a powerful way to help individuals treat, cope, and transcend physical, emotional, cognitive and social challenges. Music helps reduce heart rate…
Bernie’s Legacy
Bernie & The Believers is a project no one could have planned. The story began two years ago when Essence was teaching voice lessons to a man named Bernie Dalton…
Music can become one’s legacy.
Our classes introduce the participants to the benefits of meditation, healthy vocal technique, musical instrument instruction, songwriting skills and recording — while at the same time we guide them on a path towards introspection, self reflection, truth telling, healthy living, self care, compassion, empathy, and discipline through creativity.
We aim to create a safe space, a circle of trust, where community is born. Time and time again we witness barriers falling and fears, resistance, and self doubt being replaced with honesty, humility, and open hearted sharing. The process requires vulnerability, stepping out of your comfort zone, hard work and leaps of faith.
Along the way, friendships are born. People begin to reveal their true selves, often for the first time. They feel seen and heard, encouraged and supported. The songs become vehicles for expressing feelings and thoughts that oftentimes have never been voiced before. Apologies, declarations, promises, amends, proclamations of love, expressions of regrets, memories or dreams voiced, a wish sung. Affirmations, prayers, questions, truths laid bare. Life stories told in song. Stories of heartbreak. Stories of crushing loss and defeat. Stories of healing and redemption. These songs are not your typical radio hits – they are acts of courage and bravery that not only transform the lives of the people who created them, but have the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change in communities and families, near and far.
I believe these songs are catalysts that will inspire people to rethink their choices, to turn towards healing themselves and others, to find forgiveness and compassion, and to ultimately turn lives around.
The Heart of the Music
Discover the story behind the music that gave rise to each Believe Music Heals participant’s creative expression.
New Program Launch!
Believe Music Heals is launching a program with By The Bay Health / Hospice where we will be working one on one with those experiencing chronic and terminal illness. Here is a photo of our teaching artists at a hospice training.
