I studied music at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where I focused on flute performance and conducting. While there, I was principal flutist of Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, and also was assistant conductor for the Choral Union, Symphony Orchestra and Flute Ensemble. After moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1987, I began an extensive freelance career, as well as teaching private flute lessons. I was the principal flutist of the Westerville Civic Symphony and Columbus Light Opera for years, as well as playing with and for Overda Page, former flute professor at The Ohio State University who at the time owned a booking agency. I also studied with Bernie Goldberg, Principal Flutist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 47 years.
In 1996, I musically switched gears and began delving into the Irish folk world. In 1997, Knot Fibb’n (a traditional Irish-American band) was born and has been performing extensively since, both locally and nationally. We've played everywhere from our favorite and humongous local Dublin Irish Festival, to New York to Nashville to Chicago, meeting and making great friends along the way and having incredible experiences.
I also play with 9 Castle Close, a Celtic rock band based in the Columbus/Dayton area. While the band has been in existence for a couple of years, good friend and fiddler Stuart Brand and myself have only recently come on board. Our mission is to bring a new and different fusion of traditional Irish music into the Celtic rock scene, and we're all very excited about the potential of this combo.
You can contact me directly for bookings. Please check websites for calendars.
Also in 1996, I completed the state required educational courses and State Medical Board exam to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. Ever since I have been practicing my craft, working with MDs, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and other health professionals. See Service fees for complete details and pricing.
Along the way, I've taken classes in Deep Tissue Massage (through the CORE Institute) and CranioSacral Therapy (Upledger Institute); I have visited various practitioners, including chiropractors, osteopaths, body and energy workers, absorbing their crafts and learning from them. I've also done continuing college studies in Anatomy and Physiology.
My massages are always professional and discreet. Patients remain covered at all times, except the area being worked upon. Due to license restrictions (for which I am eternally grateful), I do not work on the genitalia, intra-anal, intra-oral or intra-nasal. Please see an Osteopathic Physician. While there are benefits to that work, it is always best left to the highest professional medical personnel, in my opinion.
A session lasts around one hour, and I'm always conscious of depth of pressure, results of last massage, general stress level, diet, etc. All aspects play into tissue formation, and therefore affect how you will react to a therapeutic massage.
And again in 1996 (busy year!), I became a Reiki Master, which means I both perform Reiki as well as teach and attune future practitioners. I practice what I jokingly call Hillbilly Reiki - I know the rules, but I rarely follow them, and that is true for my teaching. I'll cover the basics, but we'll focus more on perception. You can study the rules on your own and follow them as you see fit.
Sessions can be very relaxing or very intense, depending on where you are in life and how much change or movement in a different direction you're seeking. This modality is particularly wonderful for terminal patients that cannot deal with touch and/or are needing a little something extra to help them in their Transition.
My life has brought me a fair share of death, but through the pain I've also learned. I can bring that learning to you as you cope with death, or to a loved one who is beginning his/her Journey. Feel free to contact me for more information.
My intuitive abilities, though prevalent throughout my life, became much more finely tuned as I’ve practiced Reiki over the last decade and a half. So, FINALLY, I'm offering intuitive readings! How does an intuitive reading differ from a psychic reading? My abilities don't focus on specifics, like your grandmother's name or if Uncle John is trying to contact you from the other side. Rather, my abilities focus on you and your energy body. My sessions are geared towards finding your obstacles to living a fulfilling life, and how you may proceed in removing them. While readings can involve Tarot cards and runes, tools are not necessary. The occult is not a part of my readings, nor is religion. However, I honor and respect each person's individual journey and welcome people of all faiths and beliefs.
Writing is something I’ve done since a very young age, having published in school and county publications in West Virginia, as well as writing music reviews and doing interviews for health and wellness periodicals in central Ohio. While I’ve completed two fiction novels, I’ve yet to publish them. If you know an interested agent, send them my way!
Lastly, I am an ordained minister. Admittedly, I sought the ordination as much as to protect myself regarding counseling issues as to perform ceremonies, but I'm also willing to help you with ceremonies of all types, whether to commemorate a special date, to release emotional liabilities, or to start movement in a new direction. Whatever your need, I can help you create a sacred ceremony and space.
My goal is to be in the moment, whether doing a massage, a reading, Reiki, or playing a gig; to be present and aware while practicing non-attachment. What does that bring to you in a session? An openness and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and needs, creating the fullest experience possible for both of us.
I believe we are each responsible for our Self and our circumstances, that we manifest our lives in ways beyond our conscious understanding. While we are each responsible and manifest our lives, we also need help along the way. I want to be that help if and when you need it, whether in the form of a gentle, lymph cleaning massage, a ceremony, a reading, or a song.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or more info.
614.937.6339
Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity. ~Hippocrates
About Me
R. Beth Hicks
