Hi, I'm Holly.
Here's me in a nutshell
My name is Holly Shirra de Carvalho, and I'm the founder of the Happy Creatives. I'm a professional musician, a long-time meditator, and my work with people combines music and meditation with a love of helping people discover and express more authentic parts of themselves - individually, and in community.
Music was always on the cards for me: shortly after I learned to string a sentence together, I asked to start piano lessons - that started my long journey to becoming a full-time musician. I studied classical piano with a scholarship as an undergrad at college, afterwards completing a masters degree in music therapy, where I transitioned from just using music in a performative way to consciously utilizing music in a healing context to facilitate communication, expression and reflection with others. My career as a music therapist has taken me to schools, hospitals, hospices, care homes and community centres. Alongside playing music for others, I also love to improvise for fun and compose music! You can listen to some of my works here.
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Meditation found me at the age of 15 when I picked up a book about mindfulness. I was drawn to the inner world immediately and I have kept up a daily practice ever since. Meditation has, and still is, completely transforming the way I think, feel and interact with the world, taking me from a place where I once saw myself as a victim to my own circumstances, to one of personal empowerment, learning from life's transient ups and downs, and a deep gratitude towards the very miracle of existing. Ever since I picked up that book, it's felt like there is a humble teacher tapping on my shoulder, showing me a little bit more of my path each day. Since 2020, I started perceiving subtle energy currents in my body - something that has grown stronger over time and appears to have an alchemizing effect on the mind and body. Now, when I play or sing music to other people, I feel guided by these energies, and people report numerous effects of feeling calmed, energized and transformed by the presence that I help facilitate.
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What can I do for you?
If you've found my page, you're likely looking either for individual support for kind of transformation in your life, or you're looking for a space where you can express yourself creatively and spontaneously in a supportive environment. (or both - fun times! ;))
Sound Healing
I offer private sound healing sessions online via zoom for those looking for more in-depth support for particular issues in their life.
Sound healing sessions are personally tailored to the individual - we start the session by talking a little bit about your intention for the session, and then you relax as I guide you on a journey with my singing. As I sing, I am tuning into you carefully and holding the intention to express completely intuitively. My presence and voice will then hold a space for your own mind and body to facilitate healing for itself, in whatever way it needs at the time you've booked the session.
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Different people come away from their sound healing sessions having experienced insights about themselves, a boost of self-confidence, emotional releases and relief from nagging tensions in the body.
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Community Music Events
For those of you based in Lisbon, looking for a space to make friends, explore more spontaneous, social and fun ways to enjoy music, come along to one of my events! From my years of experience as both a music therapist and a music teacher, I've tried and tested many different events to help people find joy and confidence in expressing themselves through music, regardless of their level of experience.
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In a lovely wellness space in Anjos (central Lisbon), I hold varied events that fit different tastes: collaborative song-writing workshops, group improvisation sessions, informal concerts, sound baths and listening groups. People come away from these groups feeling joyful, connected, refreshed and inspired to live through their creative selves!
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Check out the Events page to find out more.
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