Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn O’Brien.
Hi Lynn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of creativity, healing, and human connection. Music has been my first language for as long as I can remember — from singing with my family and performing around my hometown in Illinois to writing songs as a way to make sense of life and express care for others. That deep relationship with music grew into 2 decades as a professional performer and songwriter, using live music, vulnerability, and improvisation to connect meaningfully with audiences across the Midwest and in various countries abroad.
That same passion for connection also led me to become a board-certified music therapist. In Minneapolis-St. Paul, I worked in hospitals and hospice care, supporting patients through trauma, loss, and life transitions using evidence-based music therapy techniques. It was profound, humbling work that deepened my understanding of music as both a functional tool and a medicine for the spirit.
After years of intensive trauma work and constant performing, I decided to slow down. I focused on my health, mentored and advocated for other therapists and artists (especially women), and have since adjusted approach to performing, teaching, and leading to be more sustainable and life-giving.
In St. Louis, I’ve been fortunate to with The Angel Band Project, a national nonprofit providing trauma-informed music therapy and advocacy for survivors of sexual and intimate-partner violence – free of charge. I am inspired daily by the courage of our survivor community, the skill of our clinicians, and the dedication of our leadership. It’s an honor to help grow programs that turn pain into purpose through music.
Alongside that, I continue to perform as a keynote speaker and singer, blending music, storytelling, and creative engagement to remind audiences of their humanity, creativity, and power. I also compose custom songs for events and organizations. No matter the setting, my hope is always the same: to help people feel less alone — and more connected to their own aliveness.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha! Like most of us, my path has been a mix of bumps and beauty.
I’ve faced the emotional weight of trauma-informed work, the ongoing need to advocate for music therapy, the ups and downs of being a performing artist, and the realities of navigating male-dominated industries and stages. Being a music therapist has been deeply meaningful, and has also included seasons of compassion fatigue — this ultimately sparked a lasting commitment to self-care and healthy, firm boundaries.
Personally, I’ve also faced health challenges that reminded me to slow down, simplify, and honor the limits of being human. Those experiences taught me how to create from a place of balance (rather than burnout), as well as how to more bravely use my voice both an artist and advocate.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a keynote speaker, singer, and songwriter who uses music and story to help people reconnect with their own humanity, creativity, and power. My performances are part concert, part conversation — blending stories, soulful vocals, live looping, and spontaneous audience interaction to create moments of genuine connection.
What sets my work apart is the blend of artistry, intention, and strategy behind everything I do — shaped by thousands of performances on stage and years of experience as a music therapist. I bring the heart of an artist and the mind of a strategist, crafting experiences that are moving, meaningful, and designed to meet people where they are. My training in vocal improvisation (including study with Bobby McFerrin — lucky me!) taught me to trust my instincts and use my voice as a true instrument — not just to entertain, but to unite and heal.
Lastly, my work with The Angel Band Project continually reminds me why I do what I do: to use music as a force for healing, empathy, and hope. Music has a remarkable way of soothing the nervous system, strengthening communities, and bringing us back to ourselves — something I believe we need now more than ever. I’d be delighted to have y’all learn more about my work and ask me any questions at: www.LynnOBrien.love.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Let’s be honest: I’m definitely consuming more Netflix than educational content these days, haha! But a few resources that have really inspired me in the past are You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert — both wonderful reminders to trust yourself, take creative risks, and stay open to possibility. Music-wise, I’m most recently listening to Lake Street Dive, Ollabelle, Beautiful Chorus, Lianne La Havas, and Punch Brothers. Inspiration-wise, my cup is regularly filled from walk-and-talks with my incredible husband Josh, and my dear friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lynnobrien.love/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnobrienlove
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnobrienlove
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnobrienlove/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LynnOBrienLove
- Bandcamp: https://lynnobrienmusic.bandcamp.com/album/rising |
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2PjcmxcZV81RqubsNHvv9o
