The “meaningful

This week I had the pleasure of talking to local musician Grace Mahar. Grace and I met in a packed candle-lit kitchen in Harrisburg on New Year’s Eve two years ago. In a room full of holiday spirit, she and her mom sang Christmas songs with their guitars. Grace’s voice immediately captured my attention with its unique timbre and fullness. Grace’s musical journey all began with her family’s love for music and culture. Her mother raised her on all genres of music ranging from classical to artists such as The Beatles, Tupac, and A Tribe Called Quest. Her father wrote beats for hip-hop songs and Grace alluded to a short-lived family band that all led to her pursuing her passion for music. Her journey to learning guitar began on a road trip with her mom and siblings where her mother brought along a guitar. The rest was history. Her fear and nerves drive her to play she says, stating, “it makes it more meaningful and honest.” Grace believes her shaky nerves help her create a unique sound and more compelling performance. At 20, she began going to local open mics to play and was