How does a father shelter his children from the pain of losing their passion, losing their smile, and losing what they love to do amidst the challenges of growing up? Award-winning composer and author Jimmy Brandmeier believes the only possible failure is failing to be who you are. No matter how successful your life may look on the outside, inauthentic living is a sickness that sucks your life forces dry—and Be Who You Are is the cure. For his children, Brandmeier wrote a song, “Be Who You Are.” The lyrics soon developed into an inspirational course in authenticity: Be Who You Are: A Song for My Children. Little did Brandmeier know that answers to a major setback in his own life would emerge through the pages.

As a college teacher and music industry clinician, Brandmeier is passionate about helping students rise above mass-produced education: to discover who they are, what they want, and why they want it; to give them tools to design a life from what they love to do; to transcend inner and outer obstacles; to boldly and passionately live. Turns out the message he was so passionate about giving his children is one we all need to hear: Be Who You Are—no matter what, no matter where, no matter how far.