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.
16 Week San Quentin Music Program
We were just approved for a 16-week Finding Your Voice Music Program for 25 individuals at San Quentin Prison. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT to make this happen!
Music can become a legacy and a path to transformation. I know I am not the first person to bring music into prisons. Of course, Johnny Cash paved the way by bringing his music behind bars in San Quentin and by recording Folsom Prison Blues. But I have wondered to myself, what impact would it have, if inmates had the chance to tell their own stories through music? Because EVERYONE HAS A STORY, and EVERYONE HAS A VOICE.
Please help us support this music program at San Quentin, visit our Give Butter Donation page for more details and to donate today!
“As a Jewish Chaplain at San Quentin, I have been watching Essence and crew work with the incarcerated folks here with great interest. I see interested and engaged students, and perhaps more importantly I am seeing profound growth, introspection, and healing among the participants. The songs and stories as coaxed out by Essence, are so incredibly moving.
It would seem that music really does heal; this work really is worth supporting.”
— Rabbi Paul Shleffar
Dear Friends,
I am elated to tell you that The Believe Music Heals 16 Week San Quentin Program is up and running!
The amount of heart and soul that lives beyond the gates of San Quentin is astounding. It’s a profound experience each and every time I walk through those gates. We went live with our program in early November and since then I have been spending every Wednesday morning with a group of 26 inmates dedicated to transforming their lives through the healing power of music.
The first 8 weeks have been focused on guided meditation, breath work, setting intentions, learning healthy vocal techniques to grow vocal range, improving pitch accuracy and refining tone, and developing authenticity and honesty in vocal delivery. Continue Reading»
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 was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to the loneliness.”
— Maya Angelou
Recent Press
The Believe Music Heals 16 Week San Quentin Program is up and running!
Dear Friends, I am elated to tell you that The Believe Music Heals 16 Week San Quentin…
San Quentin prison gets a new music program: ‘It will make an incredible difference’
Article written by Aidin Vaziri, published on Oct 19, 2023 in the San Francisco Chronicle. Hoping to…
Singer Essence Goldman helps people heal through the power of music
KALW 91.7 FM Crosscurrents, this aired in the April 5, 2023 episode. Music is healing. A report…