Q&A
Q: What is The Next Verse?
A: The Next Verse is a movement that connects cancer warriors and survivors with the musicians who inspire them. Through sessions at festivals, events and beyond, people sit side by side with artists to share stories, create memories, and rediscover hope.
Q: When is your first event?
A: We are thrilled to launch our first experience in partnership with Livestrong at the Livestrong Challenge on Sunday,
November 2, 2025. It will be a day filled with energy, emotion, and connection. There will be inspiration. There will be hope. There will be music because that is where healing begins.
Q: What is the purpose and mission?
A: Our mission is to use music as a bridge. We bring inspiration, belonging, and strength to
people facing cancer and we do it by creating real connections between patients and artists.
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: Because music changes lives. It lifts spirits when words fail. It connects people when they feel alone. Cancer takes so much. The Next Verse gives back moments of joy, courage, and community.
Q: What do you mean by sessions?
A: Sessions are guided experiences where patients and musicians connect in small groups. Think of My Relationship with Cancer conversations, How I Wrote This Song breakdowns, Campfire Covers sing alongs, Polaroids and Playlists memory making, and Ask Me Anything circles. These moments turn music into medicine.
Q: What is the fastest way to help right now?
A: Follow The Next Verse. Subscribe to the newsletter. Share with one person today. That simple action opens doors to the next session and the next city.
Q: How do artists get involved?
A: Artists can join a session, perform an acoustic set, lead a circle, or co write with participants. Many artists want a way to give back that feels personal. This is that way.
Q: How do festivals or venues get involved?
A: We can run one or more sessions on site during festival week or in nearby partner spaces. The model is flexible and does not require a stage or large crew.
Q: How can I financially support The Next Verse?
A: Donations are the lifeblood of TNV. Every dollar helps fund sessions that connect cancer warriors with the musicians who inspire them. Contributions cover instruments, venues, travel, and making sure every participant attends for free. While TNV is structured as an LLC for flexibility, 100 percent of donations go directly to program costs.
Q: What makes this credible?
A: The idea stands on lived experience and a simple model. Artists want to help. Warriors want to be seen and heard. Festivals and partners want purpose that is real. Put them together and the results are powerful.
Q: How often will sessions happen?
A: We will begin with key festival windows and add monthly or quarterly sessions as resources allow. Quality and safety come first.
Q: How can I nominate someone?
A: You can recommend a warrior or survivor by contacting us. We will provide a simple form as we scale.
Q: Can I volunteer?
A: Yes. We need hosts, hospitality, photography and video support with consent, logistics, and community outreach.
Q: I am a music therapist. Can I help?
A: Absolutely. We welcome music therapists and mental health professionals to advise, co design, or support sessions.
Q: How did you come up with this idea?
A: It comes from lived experience as a cancer survivor and a musician. I have felt both the weight of diagnosis and the lift of a song at the right moment. The Next Verse was born from that truth.
Q: Is this only for one type of cancer?
A: The Next Verse welcomes warriors and survivors from every cancer community. Family and caregivers are part of the circle when the setting allows.
Q: What does the future look like?
A: We will grow from Austin to more festivals and cities. The vision is a simple model that can travel anywhere globally. Live music. Real conversations. Lasting impact.
Q: How are participants selected?
A: We work with local nonprofits, hospitals, and community leaders to invite people who would benefit most. As we scale we will add a simple nomination form for patients, families, and clinicians.
Q: Does it cost anything for participants?
A: No. The goal is to remove barriers so that people can focus on connection and healing.
Q: Are these sessions private or public?
A: Most sessions are small and invitation based to protect privacy and create a safe space. Some moments may be shared with permission so that others can be inspired by what happened.
Q: How do you handle privacy and consent?
A: Consent comes first. No photo, video, or story is shared without clear permission. If someone wants to keep a moment private, we honor that.
Q: Will there be recordings or content?
A: Sometimes. When everyone agrees, we capture short clips or photos so the wider community can feel the impact and support the work.
Q: How do sponsors or donors help?
A: Sponsors fund sessions, travel, instruments, and production. Supporters help us reach more warriors and more cities. We also welcome in kind support such as instruments and food.
Q: Is The Next Verse a nonprofit?
A: The Next Verse is structured as an LLC so we can move quickly and build partnerships. We also collaborate with nonprofits and health partners. If a fiscal sponsorship or nonprofit pathway becomes the best way to expand impact, we will share that update clearly.
Q: Are contributions tax deductible?
A: At this time gifts to an LLC are not tax deductible. If a fiscal sponsor or a dedicated nonprofit partner is in place for a specific project, we will make that clear and provide the correct documentation.
Q: How do you use funds?
A: Funds support sessions and participants. This includes travel and logistics for warriors, artist and crew costs, instruments, accessibility needs, documentation, and program management. We will publish simple impact summaries so you can see results.
Q: How do you measure impact?
A: We track participation, sentiment, and follow up outcomes. Examples include self reported hope and belonging, new creative output, and ongoing community support. We also collect qualitative stories that show real change.
Q: Is this safe and accessible?
A: We design with health in mind. Group sizes are small. Venues are accessible. We coordinate with clinicians and follow sensible guidelines for immunocompromised participants.
Q: Can families attend?
A: When space and health considerations allow, which is almost always, yes. Loved ones are often part of the healing.
Q: What if I am not in Austin?
A: Follow and subscribe. Your support helps us open doors in new cities. If you want to bring The Next Verse to your town, reach out.
Q: How is this different from Make A Wish?
A: Make A Wish grants individual wishes. The Next Verse creates ongoing music centered connections and small group sessions that build community and belonging. Many participants are adults. The heart is the same. The format is different.