The power of music and healing come together in a new Upper Peninsula initiative as Northwoods Music Collaborative partners with the Women’s Center of Marquette to launch a local iteration of The Lullaby Project, a global program created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.
Originally developed in 2011, the Lullaby Project connects professional musicians with parents and caregivers to co-create original lullabies for their children—or for their own inner child. For Artistic Director Evan Premo, who encountered the project while completing a fellowship at Carnegie Hall, it struck a personal chord.
“It offers this incredible opportunity for a powerful love connection through artistic creation,” he said. “It’s very simple, but profoundly impactful.”
Watch The Lullaby Project Celebration Concert from 2024:
Premo has helped lead several versions of the Lullaby Project in partnership with domestic violence shelters and correctional facilities. When he and Executive Director Bette Premo looked to expand into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, they found an ideal partner in the Women’s Center of Marquette.
“We always look for different ways of healing for survivors,” said Hannah Holma, Program Director of the Women’s Center. “And music is something we can all access—it doesn’t require professional experience to be meaningful.”
The songwriting process is deeply personal and begins with trust-building, story-sharing, and simple writing prompts. Musicians help participants shape their words and melodies, but the heart of the songs remains with those who create them.
“These are their notes and their words,” said Evan. “There’s a real feeling of ownership. Hopefully, these lullabies become generational heirlooms.”
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Bette, Evan, and Hannah by phone:
The public will have an opportunity to hear some of these songs at a free concert on Friday, June 6, at 5:00 p.m. at Hiawatha Music Co-Op's The Fold in Marquette. The event will feature live arrangements of the lullabies performed by a band that includes the project’s facilitators along with local musician Dave Ziegner. Some participants may even take the stage to sing their creations.
“The concert isn’t the goal—it’s the connection between parent and child,” said Bette. “But sharing these songs helps build confidence and community.”
This pilot year is just the beginning. The Northwoods Music Collaborative hopes to continue and expand the project across the U.P., creating space for healing, storytelling, and creativity through music.
Learn more:
- Northwoods Music Collaborative: northwoodsmusiccollaborative.org
- Women’s Center of Marquette: wcmqt.org or call 906-226-6611
- Direct line for participation inquiries: 906-225-1100
