Meet Ms Abigail

We recently connected with Ms Abigail and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ms Abigail, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

One fall day back in 2021, I was working with a dance studio at a teacher training. I was celebrating having been with this said studio for a whole season, during which, I was handed a thank you card from my studio owner telling me that I was incredibly resilient after all I have lived through and how deeply she was in awe of me. Ever sense that day, I have claimed resilience as my super power. This was not a skill I learned easily, rather, it was a lesson that was thrust upon me from a very young age. My life did not begin as “picture perfect” as some suburban children’s, in actuality, there is more trauma in the suburbs of the south than most down town cities. Growing up in an environment where my emotions and needs where not met, instead judged and condemned and drugged away, I had to learn as a child how to be brave, find ways to keep myself safe as best I could, and unequivocally choose hope over fear. This chopped up to people labeling me as a “dreamer” or “unrealistic” this being what pushed me further into escaping into the arts, and years later growing into what would save my life. Had I not endured what I did as a child, I wonder if I ever would have thought to create the work I do today and connect physiology to the arts. If I had not known what it was like to loose work, people, or a roof over my head, I wonder if I would have the ability to relate so deeply to communities at large. Being shattered over and over again by the very churches, people, and societal norms meant to protect me, was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful gifts this human experience has ever given me. Not only did it open my eyes and heart to endless possibilities, problems, truths, and birth my “super power” but I have become the beautiful mosaic that those who shunned me never intended to make.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Abigail Jean; often known as Ms Abigail or Ms Musical Muse depending on the social circle. I am a Fine Arts Educator and Creative who specializes in SEL and Mindfulness within and through out multiple art forms. To break that down further; I teach, and preform, direct/choreograph, compose, with multiple different ISD’s, non-profits, studios and more. For the longest time I used to be embarrassed by the fact that I do so much and have such a wide range of talents and skills. Now; I embrace it loudly. While some may be annoyed that I do not fit into the traditional artist labels or box as simply a “choreographer” or “actor” I know that my unique qualities, passions and skills, enable me to take on even more than most, thusly allowing me to give back to deeper areas of communities. For my work as an educator, I specialize in social emotional learning, mindfulness practices, mental health education, all as means to cultivate and infuse arts to allow those studying under me empowered expression and embodiment along with technical training. I do not teach art solely for the “elite” or only those wishing to be a big star. My passion lies in connecting with and aiding the human on their journey; be it to a fulfilling life as an accountant who does ballet on week nights, or the young girl saving up to move to NYC. Further more, I help train beginning and seasoned teachers in my new methods and skills as to enable change and support within all areas of arts education. By doing so I also have the privilege to a personalized approach for studios, programs, theaters etc. Being able to come in and craft programs for them in assisting with their wishes and challenges. Constantly I am studying and applying new practices with tools such as somatic movement, trauma focused education, anatomical and bodily awareness, empowerment in gender identity, energy work and more.
Aside from that, I am a creative artist and spiritual practitioner. As a composer I write with intention, as well as specialized focus on the spiritual and mental health. Directing, choreographing along side making sure my needs as a performer are met through various modalities be it short films or live theater. What I do for others is a proud part of my identity, and it is not all of my identity. I am an inventor, creative, performer, musician, dreamer, mover, scientist, energy worker, magic birther, witch woman, and educator. Abigail Jean is a cultivation of breath and life that does not fit a label, and I am immensely proud of that.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The power of “I don’t know”. In today’s society, not having the answer to something can leave us feeling judged and foolish. Not because we are, but because of the judgement and forced shame thrown upon us that we then allow ourselves to internalize. If you “know” something finitely and stubbornly, then there is no room for growth, vulnerability, or connection. There is so much beauty, grace, and power in allowing yourself to exist in a space of openness. Especially one you willingly stepped into. By answering “I don’t know” one is able to be authentically vulnerable and show the other party this, allowing for human connection and both parties to meet each other where they are in that moment. This then allows for growth. In this human experience we only stop growing when we stop breathing. Embracing this sets us up for far more opportunity and beauty and realizes us from our own self inflicted jail cell.
Being authentically you. Texas is known for being part of “the Bible Belt”. witch churches around every corner and all the media statements of how LGBTQ are trying to turn children “gay” or how spiritualists/witches are trying to mind control and send people to hell, for the longest time I was terrified to be myself. The society programing of women to present a certain way, silence emotions, have a pretty smile, and make calm polite conversation left me feeling I had to censor myself not just in the classroom, but within my art. Art was designed to challenge thought and cultivate connection, yet here I was doing the opposite. The moment I let myself free; started teaching energy and breath work in my movement classes, brought my crystals to private lessons for children to see, explained how to embrace the divine of our femininity and energy centers, and tell my students when I was sad, held space for them to cry and jump rather than sit still and silent; was when everything changed. Living authentically and in alignment with my integrity as only given me further opportunities to help others while honoring my own heart and soul.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

This is a question that I love. Recently I was at an event celebrating the premier of a friend’s work. Chatting with a new connection I was explaining to this woman what I do for a living at which point she paused me and asked me ” now what do you do for your self care?”. In my eight years of teaching, this was maybe the second time I had bee asked this question by someone who was not my therapist. Those whose heart and mission is to heal and help aid the lives of others are so often never promoted as to how they do so for themselves. The fact is, when we do not make the time and energy to fill our own cups, how can we possibly aid in doing so for others? As a person with ADHD I can often struggle to turn off the thoughts in my head, or put down the work. Getting into nature has been a game changer for me. My friends know that I am obsessed with forests, parks, lakes, trees. If I could safely live outside during the summer season, I would. Grounding in nature, and being barefoot as much as possible is a must for me. I am known to teach music lessons without shoes. Re-claiming my spirituality and sexuality has made the biggest impact on my life these past few years. The concept of a ritual is anything from knowing every morning I journal and take the dogs out, to a full plan under the fool moon. So much of our society has yet to understand that “magic” is not this demonic or unattainable thing that only exists in our books. Fairytales are life the moment we say it is. The meditation that clears our head and helps us remember where our keys sit, the water that washes our dirt and hydrates our body, the dance that makes us laugh and hold our loved ones close. Living everyday in my own magic fills my cup, reminds me who I am, and allows me to show others all the ways joy is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https:// https://linktr.ee/abigailjeanofficial?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
• Instagram: @ms_musicalmuse
• Other: Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/2hJxumzXqad3WI9ojhx62P?si=alPGP6KzT9mIxyAOnT4-6w

Image Credits

Alex Navarro @navalabs
Rain @raindfwphotos
Ethan Mckosky