Justin Petersen

In 2023, I received the life-changing news that I had thyroid cancer. At mid-life, with a wonderful daughter and a successful career as a professional software designer, I realized I had been running on autopilot — working hard to provide, but far from the passion that once defined me. In my 20s and 30s, I lived and breathed music as a singer-songwriter. But over time, I’d lost touch with that part of myself — the dreamer, the creator, the performer.

When doctors told me they would have to completely remove my thyroid to eliminate the tumors, I was terrified. Not just of the cancer itself, but of losing my singing voice — the one thing that had always been at the center of who I am. That fear became my motivation. I made a promise to the universe that if I survived, I would stop wasting time on things that didn’t matter and refocus my life on what truly does: my family, my daughter, and my music.

I kept that promise.

After recovering, I rededicated myself to songwriting — to finishing the work I had left behind. I teamed up with Patty Boss, a talented and award-winning music creator, and together we’ve spent the last three years rebuilding and reimagining my catalog of songs. She’s helped me breathe new life into my earlier work — rearranging, refining, and producing each track so that it reflects the person I’ve become.

Before life took me down other paths, music was always a part of my journey. I soloed at the Monterey Jazz Festival at Sea with my high school Jazz Choir in 1996, and later placed in the VH1 Songwriting Competition two years in a row. I went on to earn certifications in Audio Engineering and Marketing from San Francisco State University, which helped me merge creativity with communication.

During my early career, I interned with Powell St. John, the legendary singer-songwriter and member of Janis Joplin’s original band, who inspired me with his raw storytelling and deep connection to the roots of American music. I also interned at JingleTown Studios — Green Day’s recording studio — where I refined my skills as an Audio Engineer and Producer. In my mid to late 30s, I professionally produced songs for artists including Anjus Pale Blue Eyes and Christine Jovan, projects that fueled my passion for creating authentic stories through the shared language of music.

Those experiences shaped my creative foundation and taught me the art of translating emotion into music.

Today, I’m grateful to say I’m cancer-free — and I truly believe the universe has redirected my life toward what I’m meant to do. It’s guided me back to my purpose, my passion, and one of the deepest reasons for my being: to create music that connects, heals, and inspires.

My story is one of rediscovery and gratitude — proof that even when life threatens to silence your voice, you can always find the courage to sing again.