One musician is no longer a stone’s throw away from having her very own album.
Cindy Novelo, former director of study abroad, international and disability services, was let go of her staff position at Baker in February. Despite that, she has used this opportunity to go back to her love of music to create her first CD “Stone’s Throw.”
Novelo has been working on this album since August 2008.
“It’s certainly a labor of love,” Novelo said. “It took a lot more time than I thought it would take.”
Over the past year, she has spent time on and off in the recording studio working on this CD.
Listen to an mp3 track of "Stone's Throw"
“I wanted to make sure it was professionally done,” Novelo said.
On Oct. 2 she finally got to hold the tangible fruits of her year-long labor in her hand.
“Stone’s Throw” is the title track on the CD that Novelo wrote herself. She got the inspiration for it from a collection of experiences. She said people sometimes reach things not quite attainable, making them a stone’s throw away.
She didn’t even plan on writing this piece. She just started playing a melody on her guitar.
“It just came out of the music,” Novelo said.
This CD is a mixture of folk with a classical music influence. On it, she performs six of her original compositions. She also she sings and plays the viola, fiddle and guitar.
Novelo said several people on Baker’s campus have been giving her encouragement since February when her position was eliminated.
“I am deeply grateful for everyone who has offered support, in ways large and small – whether it has been the purchase of a CD or just helping me spread the word about my music and new endeavors,” Novelo said.
Robin Liston, assistant professor of music, has listened to Novelo’s CD and simply loves how gentle, delicate and introspective her musicianship is.
“I love the tenderness she brings to it,” Liston said.
Liston said she admires how Novelo has been able to make lemonade from lemons. She said adapting to changes is a good lesson to know, especially today.
“It’s a different world,” Liston said. “You can’t get attached, you have to be flexible.”
Even though the experience has been scary at times, and there have always been moments of doubt, Novelo said she has always had a voice inside her head saying this is what she should be doing.
“I feel so very fortunate to have been given this opportunity at this point in my life to follow my heart’s desire and life-long passion,” Novelo said. “I’ve done many different things in my life, but music has always been the thing I return to. I am so grateful to be able to devote myself to it full-time once again.”
Even though people can purchase her CD now, Novelo’s official CD release concert will be Dec. 4 at Folk, 1646 Massachusetts, in Lawrence.
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