In memory of our daughter Alexa, we sought to create something beautiful from a time of immense hardship. The rhythmic sound of a breast pump, a constant presence during Alexa’s short life, became the inspiration for a song.

In August 2015, we reached out to recording studios across Kent, hoping to find someone who would embrace our vision. Thankfully, Kevin Thorpe of Big Jam Studios immediately connected with the idea and offered his expertise. Venturing into a recording studio for the first time was daunting, but with my mother’s support, we met with Kevin and captured the sound of the breast pump. Leaving the studio, we were filled with a newfound sense of excitement and hope.

Kevin’s talent and connections led us to award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Bayston. Laura co-wrote the lyrics and lent her beautiful vocals to the song, creating a powerful piece of music. While Laura recorded in her own studio, I bravely stepped into the recording booth for the very first time. Though singing isn’t my forte, I poured my heart into the experience.

The project brought together a team of incredibly talented individuals. With the Astor Community Theater providing us with space, a fantastic team came together for the CD cover shoot.

Suzanna Forrister-Beer, an international award-winning makeup artist, Danny Burrows, an internationally acclaimed photographer, and Bethany Rose White, our stunning model, all generously donated their time and talent.

The final piece of the puzzle was the cover design. Danny connected us with Matthew Ward of Linguistine Design, a London-based graphic designer who brought the vision to life.

Though a few setbacks caused a launch delay, we were determined to wait until The Alexa Trust achieved registered charity status. Finally, in October 2016, “Express Yourself” was released to the world. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended the launch party at Der Bar, Deal, and to Der Bar itself for hosting us. The song is now available for download from our online store and major platforms like CD Baby, Amazon, and iTunes.