"I think music worked for myself and others in the group because it accesses a different part of our emotions," said Smith. Often, "these emotions are so locked up deep inside that we cannot get to them in any other way. Music has provided me with the freedom to get in touch with feelings and emotions I was otherwise forbidden to or afraid to express." Smith added that feelings of fear and anger used to overwhelm her, but in confronting them through music, they became easier to deal with.

Smith is a singer, guitarist and dancer in "Finding Voice," which is composed of three parts. First comes the turning point when each woman decides to seek help. Then the CAPSA support group, initially made up of strangers, becomes a trusted alliance; and finally, the women find their own ways to heal. The climax comes in a dance performance.

That last phase is about "recognizing that there is more, that they can ask for more in their lives," York said. Not all of the women have completely extricated themselves from abusive situations, she added. "They are at different stages of moving out."

Guest, who now works as an advocate with CAPSA support group members, offers encouragement to the other women as they move through what can be a terrifying process. She underscores the inner strength it takes to pull out of an abusive household and urges each woman to avoid berating herself for staying in that situation as long as she did.

"It's a new day," Guest is fond of saying.

York, protective of the group, asked if they wanted to use actresses, wear masks, or stage their performance in a way that concealed their identities.

Repeatedly, Guest, Smith and the others said no, telling York, "We would like to present ourselves as ourselves, and use our real names. These are our stories, and we claim them as ours."

After this week's performances, York hopes to offer music therapy to other women, such as a CAPSA support group for Latinas. As she applies for grant funding for such work, she is writing a book about the "Finding Voice" project.

York reassured those who may hesitate before attending one of the performances.

"This may be an issue that's difficult to look at," she said, "but the performance demonstrates a healing process. At the end of the play, one feels a sense of incredible admiration for the courage of these women to come forward."

---

E-MAIL: durbani@desnews.com