"Bucket Lists + Breath" by Katie Osborn

“So, I bought Hayley Williams tickets… would you like to go with me?”

I could barely move or breathe when my amazing partner, Greg, told me this incredible news. I couldn’t believe he surprised me by buying us tickets for my 35th birthday present. 

“ARE YOU SERIOUS!? IS THIS REAL LIFE?”

…were the only words I could utter in response. Getting to see Hayley Williams and getting to see my 35th year have always been some of my biggest bucket list dreams and now both were coming true.

After profusely thanking Greg, I immediately texted Betty Kay, my sINgSPIRE instructor, to share this lifechanging news. In our lessons together, Betty and I have worked on three Hayley Williams/Paramore songs, including one track from the current tour album. Exploring the breathwork and techniques required to perform these songs in my lessons with Betty deepened my connection with the music of Hayley Williams and has given me an even deeper appreciation of Hayley’s musical genius and talent. With Betty’s guidance, I have discovered the level of skill and nuance Hayley applies to her breathwork as she transitions between her lower and upper vocal registers while singing everything from powerful belts to soft ballads. As I’ve worked to apply some of these techniques to my own singing, it’s been a gift to find a relationship with Hayley’s songs using my own breath, body, and expression. After being a Paramore/Hayley Williams fan for nearly 20 years, the work I’ve done in my sINgSPIRE lessons has made me feel more connected than ever before to the music which has significantly impacted my life.

When September 12, the day of the concert arrived, everything felt so surreal and I wanted to remember every moment. I couldn’t believe that I was in the same space as Hayley Willams, experiencing her artistic process in real-time. Hayley is even better performer live than on her recorded albums! Throughout her two-hour set, she showcased her range of techniques from smooth jazz like vocals to metal screams, all while performing each note and breath with ease and authenticity. She was incredibly collaborative as an artist with both with her band and her fans. You can’t imagine my joy when Hayley invited the crowd to sing along with her and I got to sing the song I worked on in my sINgSPIRE lessons with Hayley, live! I felt so incredibly alive singing with Hayley and thousands of fellow fans as a light rain fell upon us. This night was my version of Woodstock.

Throughout the concert, I was filled with immense gratitude for Breathe Bravely, it’s sINgSPIRE program, and my instructor, Betty. It is thanks to all I’ve learned with Breathe Bravely, that I was able to notice Hayley’s breathwork techniques and appreciate her musical talent at a deeper level than I could imagine. I will forever treasure sharing breath and song with the Breathe Bravely community and now, Hayley Williams.