About Me
Hello sweet soul. My name is Tori. I go by the artist name ‘Willingness.’
Music is my sanctuary; it is the sacred ground that supports me on my journey through life, the vessel that holds my stories, and, what I believe to be, my soul’s calling. My creative expression rests in the realms of songwriting and music production and has become intertwined with my spiritual practice.Creating feels like a sacred collaboration with the divine - a deepening that invites me into spaces of meditation, spiritual exploration and healing.
Writing my debut album, "Willingness," in 2022-2023 was one of the most profound healing experiences of my life. Along the way, I've come to realize that my worth is not tied to my performance or success. My true worth rests in my willingness—my willingness to show up honestly and vulnerably in the world exactly as I am. My hope is that by sharing my art and the most vulnerable parts of myself through song, even one other person in this world can find healing.
The Willow House resonates with me on many levels.
Although I am from the midwest, I have always had a deep fascination with the desert and its sacredness. There is something so captivating about its quiet, and so humbling about its heat. It’s a place I feel such a reverence to and a longing to offer it my heart in the ways I know how - through song and ceremony.
I often build the foundation of my music on ‘natural materials’ such as audio I’ve captured of the land, environment and surrounding wildlife. As an artist who cherishes devoted and focused work, I take to the land for inspiration, introspection and grounding. In these tender moments with the Earth, and throughout the creative process, I love to set my intentions, connect with the spirit of willingness, and invite the divine to move through me into song.
In my time at the Willow House, I intend to create music from the depths of my heart and soul, to connect with the spirit of the land, and to honor life itself in the process. Much like the Willow House, I hope to create music that stands the test of time.
Willingness - Debut Album (2023)
Available on all streaming platforms
Future Releases - (2024-2025)
purpose
This time last year, for my 29th birthday, I embarked on a 5-week solo road trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Sedona, Arizona. I had recently released my debut album, “Willingness”, and felt it was time to celebrate and connect deeper with life. I fell completely in love with the land. Ever since my visit, I’ve wondered what lives deep inside the silence of the desert. From the pluck of a cactus needle, to the whispers of wildlife, my dream is to intimately explore the sonic palette of the desert and create an album made using these captured sounds. To do this, I will use my portable audio recorder and microphones to safely capture the sound of anything that calls while exploring. I will then begin my production process and weave these sonic tapestries into music.
As a compliment to my skills as a musician and producer, I also have a background in Film & Television which I envision using to capture my process to share with my audience on various social media platforms.
I understand there is a certain degree of trust that is required in selecting an artist for the residency. While I don’t know exactly where I will be led during my experience, I do know that my devotion, care and precision in this work has never failed me and the pure desire to explore this land and this work in a completely new way is lighting a fire in my soul.
I believe this residency would further my work by challenging me to use my skills, innovation and curiosity to connect deeper with the energy of the land and invite the songs of her spirit to move through me into form. It would further challenge me to navigate and befriend the quiet and stillness of the desert at all hours of the day and night. And still, after days of devotion, I am inspired to imagine how gratifying it will feel to connect with these songs under a starlit sky.
As an artist in residence at The Willow House, my hope is to raise awareness of the songs embedded in the Earth we all share. Some tangible ways I plan to carry this project forward are releasing the finished album on all music platforms, sharing with playlist curators, offering custom pressed vinyls and cds (including an exclusive copy to leave on site), and collaborating with yoga studios around the U.S by curating meditative listening experiences.
The magnitude of music has opened my eyes to my greater purpose of healing through art and creative expression. At the heart of it all, I find myself on a quest to nurture this creative journey, explore new sonic realms and deepen the connection between my art and spirituality. My hope is that my art serves as an offering to life itself and a bridge of connection for others in search of healing. I would be honored to carry out this mission at the Willow House.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Thank you for your willingness.