By STACEY WALTERS
University of Pikeville freshman Zoe Howard was enticed by music from a very young age. Sundays spent singing in church and evenings strumming a guitar with her father nurtured Howard’s passion for music and assisted in discovering a stronger voice within herself. As a performing arts major with an emphasis in music and a psychology minor, she has dedicated herself to finding academic opportunities that keep music in her daily life and dreams of becoming a music therapist. “UPIKE is a place where I can be a whole person, where I can be challenged while still feeling at home,” said Howard. “Music therapy stands out to me because it allows me to trigger the positive memories within songs and help patients of all ages. My passion is to work with people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and helping with psychological care.” Having been raised in Salyersville, Ky., with its rich Appalachian culture, Howard writes and records original songs about life in Kentucky and the inspiring people around her that spread love and positivity. Most recently, she debuted her first music video for the song “Burn,” which is a message to listeners about burning bad memories. “When I look back at the songs that I have written, they have shown me that I am passionate about love and stories from others’ points of view,” said Howard. “I also write to encourage. My music has opened a door for many young female artists who think they can’t get their music out in the world.”
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UPIKE MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2023