Guitar prodigy Whitney Rose shared her love for music with Whitewater through performance Saturday, April 12 at The Wright House.
Rose, 39, who has played guitar since the age of 16, performed nine self-written songs on both topics deeply integrated with her own life, and held deeper meaning for others. In between songs she shared her reasons for writing them, opening herself up and connecting with the audience.
“Music is a way to let out and unblock what’s inside of you,” she shared.
She plays her music as a way of expressing herself, but it also achieves her goal of sharing with specifically younger people so they can understand their talent, stating that, “Everyone has the capacity to create.”
Rose believes that many young people in today’s society often believe they are not good enough, often believing they are inadequate at learning new skills such as music. She shared her personal experience of herself not believing she was good enough to be a “real” musician, until her peers convinced her otherwise.
Matching the sentiment of this, she performed a song she titled “It’s Ok” which talks about how we are indeed good enough.
Having come from a religious family, Rose is a very spiritual person and reflects that in her music. Music is her way of expressing her spirituality in the arts. Music is also her way of creating connections with people, something she finds truly important.
“I want the opportunity to establish elements of connection with people,” she said.
By singing about relatable topics, such as heartbreak, upbringing and spirituality, she is achieving this connection with those who attend her various concerts.
Not only is this connection achieved via her concerts, but she is also a member of the Ukulele Club of Dodge County, whose mission is to teach the ukulele to children. This fortifies her mission to create connections with people through music, and her goal to prevent younger people from feeling they “are not good enough.”
The Wright House was constructed in the 1850’s, host Sarah Beth Nelson shared. Nelson hosted the concert and will be hosting several future events including a live story-telling in the summer in which she will be reading.
While laughter was shared with the small group of attendees at The Wright House, it was also an opportunity for all to reflect a bit on themselves, what the music could mean to them, and how they could connect with the music and messages on a spiritual level.
Rose will be travelling all throughout Wisconsin for the remainder of April, performing both covers and her own original songs.
