Hi my name is Xoe Wise. After years of working as a professional musician, and obtaining a degree in psychology, I began my graduate education in social work at The University of Chicago. It was during my field placement at a high school where I began CHICAGO MUSIC LAB. I had previous experience in both pediatric clinical work, and in music outreach, but my heart exploded with joy when I started intersecting music and talk therapy. Sometimes we need to talk, and sometimes we need to create. I wondered, could we combine the two more regularly? I work with individuals and groups to record beats, produce music, songwrite, make music videos, meditate, and play with sound. You can find me doing songwriting sessions in partnership with The Major Lift, or leading recording sessions virtually with students on LOGIC PRO or ABLETON. I believe music is not only a source of healing, but it is a resource. I am also pursuing education in music therapy in order to create programming that utilizes artistic sound and composition as a method in discovering a creative path toward healing through trauma and to support the needs of mood, anxiety, and developmental disabilities. If you, your students, kids, or your organization would like to create, please reach out! I offer 1:1 and group sessions that can be one time, or ongoing. Imagine the lab as somewhere you walk into and I ask “What should be the experiment today?” You are the sound-scientist, and I cannot wait to curiously create together. You choose the instrument, you choose the adventure, you choose the musical task, and let’s imagine. This is a program for Active/Aspiring Poets, Spoken Word Artists, Rappers, Podcasters, Vocalists, Musicians, Songwriters, and everyone.
Press:
HEAL THRU SOUND is a pilot program of CHICAGO MUSIC LAB. As a member of the LGBTQIA community, I know how essential it is that we tell our own stories. HEAL THRU SOUND is where writers, rappers, songwriters, vocalists (or even someone navigating how to launch their music on Spotify or wanting to start a band) join together to deepen connections to self, art, and community by exploring their own artistic purpose, magic, and vulnerabilities. The program uses songwriting as a healing method for those who have experienced trauma, and recording and performance exercises as ways to be in our voice, and body as gender affirming art. Heal Thru sound is about Project based learning and healing. We want to create space for exploring what voice means to gender, and more importantly, what it could mean if we reimagine. Healing thru sound means empowering the role of self-expression as a superpower when the world is pushing beautiful voices down. Not only does the program encourage the empowerment of the community, but also allows young artists access to a resource that enables them to connection and community. Only after connecting with individual wellness can a collective consciousness be activated. We use songwriting and other forms of sound as a mental health resource by creating a space for facilitation, identity exploration, and culture. This program is for groups, and individuals and ranges from one time to ongoing.
The program is led by Chicago singer/songwriter, producer, and musical comedian Xoe Wise, who thrives to create safe and artistic places to explore vulnerability. Xoe and her music has appeared in the film Jupiter Ascending as well as in streaming series such as Netflix’s Sense8 and Showtime’s Work In Progress. She has been featured in publications such as Huffington Post, Chicago Reader, NPR Newsong Series, Chicago Tribune, and has appeared on stages from Metro Chicago to SXSW. Xoe has written and produced 4 albums, 2 EPs. She also opens up her own experience as a queer artist in the professional music scene. Xoe holds a BS in Psychology from Loyola University and is currently an MSW student at University of Chicago. We hope art can be gender affirming, safety confirming, and fun. We share music, discuss making music, workshop songs and ideas, explore melody, and demo material. Xoe also facilitates songwriting workshops, often in partnership with The Major Lift. She has done workshops at Lurie Childrens Hospital, Camp Cloud, Ryan Banks Academy, Songs Against Silence, House of Blues, House of Rock, and more.
