“Hello World,” New Song from Tabi Haly, Speaks up for Inclusion for Those w/ Disabilities

Tabi Haly sings, “Hello World, We are here, We are strong, And we are more than what we probably let on” as a representative of the disability community. The 39-year-old singer-songwriter/software engineer, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, has released a single with a gorgeous-sounding acoustic and lyrically uplifting message to the world. The song now out on all streaming media supports the annual December 3 International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) on all streaming media.  

Streaming hub & link to music video: https://www.tabinyc.com/hello-world.

There are two new versions of Tabi’s song “Hello World.” Her version was recorded at the state of the art, James Dolan Recording Studio at New York University. Other New York City favorites that recorded there include hitmakers Lady Gaga and A Great Big World.

One of Tabi’s favorite lyrics is “dreams are brought to life by diversity.”  She writes a lot of disability advocacy songs, but “Hello World” stands out for many reasons, “Life is constantly about introducing yourself to new people, and re-introducing yourself to people you already know in certain ways.”  “Hello World” is Tabi’s wish for people to understand disabled people, “don't judge, but do have dialog. This song is an opportunity to be more open than ever before about diversity.”

The “Hello World” music video, featured on Chase’s YouTube page was recorded at Smash Studios in Midtown. This shows Tabi leading 6 musicians, who are also JP Morgan Chase employees, in the studio. Tabi says, “This is a Chase employee group version of the song; We’d never met, but everyone practiced beforehand, and showed great teamwork as we created a new version of the song for our company.” Directed by Chase video editor Seth Gomez, the video’s message shows JP Morgan Chase wants to be the employer of choice for people with disabilities.”

One of Tabi’s favorite lyrics is “dreams are brought to life by diversity.”  She writes a lot of disability advocacy songs, but “Hello World” stands out for many reasons, “Life is constantly about introducing yourself to new people, and re-introducing yourself to people you already know in certain ways.”  “Hello World” is Tabi’s wish for people to understand disabled people, “don't judge, but do have dialog. This song is an opportunity to be more open than ever before about diversity.”

“Hello World” is also the name of the first Application program that every software engineer learns. Tabi explains why the name is used, “We learn new technology all the time to keep up with its rapid evolution. Therefore, every time we learn something new, it’s ‘Hello World’!”  

Tabi’s a Filipino American, born and raised in Houston, TX.  At age 3, her guitarist/pianist father introduced her to music. Since then, she sang to keep her lungs healthy. She moved to New York State area at age 17, and started writing songs. Tabi moved to New York City when she turned 18, and attended Pace University. After graduating Summa Cum Laude, Tabi began work as a coder, later advancing to her job as a software engineer at JP Morgan Chase.  

She is a professional recording artist with two studio albums: 2022’s “Stance,” 2019’s "I Wrote Life," 2023’s “High Notes” dance remix EP, and a number of singles—notably “Waiting in the Wings,” which Tabi wrote, recorded and released about disability activist Judy Heumann a few weeks before she passed away in Feb 2023. 

Tabi is a member of the Recording Academy.   

As a songwriter Tabi uses a mouse and track pad and music software to compose (the disease is progressive, so while she could write in college, she can no longer even put on eyeliner), and she sings into a microphone. Once she is happy with her demo, she presents it to one of the musicians she works with to create the instrumentation. They collaborate on the structure until the song is ready.

Singing isn’t Haly’s only way of dealing with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She sees occupational and physical therapists regularly. She works through daily range-of-motion exercises and employs home health aides who help her 24 hours a day. At night she sleeps with a ventilator. It’s a physical and mental ordeal. But music keeps her going.

“Stance” by Tabi Haly Singer-Songwriter, Motivator, Disability Rights Advocate

 

“I’ll be out of luck if I choose defeat, so I'll keep fighting for me," sings Tabi Haly in her song “Change Coming my Way” on her new album, “Stance.”  She is a singer-songwriter, motivator, and advocate for disability rights.  The Tribeca Citizen wrote “I am not sure I have met anyone quite as driven as Tabi Haly.”  Dealing with muscular dystrophy since she was a child, the 38-year-old singer-songwriter embodies Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

From advocacy and asking for help to creating music, Tabi’s telling stories of her triumphs and challenges.  Her songs, especially, include her reflections of living with M.D. on “Stance,” the follow up to her 2019 release “I Wrote Life.”  “Stance” will be on all streaming media and digital stores on October 15. That’s the 10-year anniversary of her first show ever, which was in downtown New York City. Tabi will be performing on Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30 PM, at Bar 135 in Tribeca, downtown NYC!  

“Each and every song is about standing up for myself and yourself in different ways,” she says. The title cut is about standing up for yourself in a toxic relationship, as is “Ain’t Got Nothin.” The jazzy “Elements,” was inspired by her priority of standing up for her values during the covid pandemic.  

“Threshold” and “My Story” share the people on her side.  “Move A Muscle,” which is about the power of collaboration, “I invite you to take part and do what you can Move a muscle with me, or watch ‘til you understand that I can do anything.” Tabi’s eclectic range of empowering songs runs from the blissful jazz “It’s Right” and the R&B chords on “Live It Up.”

“It is because you take the feeling of being an outcast and wanting to help others.” Tabi’s song, “I’m a Child” will resonate in different ways to people that have contended with able-ism and exclusion. New Jersey rock band Corevalay’s leadsinger Phil Barbetta is a touring musician in a powerchair. He and Tabi duet on her love song, “Except to You” with the lyric, “It always hurts to be different except to you.”  

Born in Houston, TX to a Filipino-American parents, Tabi’s father introduced her to music at age 3. She started singing to keep her lungs healthy, and by high school was writing songs. After moving to the New York City/Putnam County area at age 17, Tabi studied music and mathematics at Pace University, and graduated summa cum laude. She found work as a software engineer at JP Morgan. 

She’s always been in a wheelchair and now is barely able to move her hands. To write, Tabi uses a mouse, track pad and music software to compose, and sing into a microphone. After her demo is ready, she collaborates with one of her musicians (Fabian Caballero, Miles Machon, Michael Bunin, and Austin Deyo), until the songs are produced with Russell Castiglione.   

Tabi belts and then croons her songs.  Her style spans many genres: R&B, pop, rock, folk, jazz, blues, country, and dance. In addition to introspective and sometimes “cut-to-the heart” emotional lyrics, and wide vocal ranges.  All of these help Tabi write about her experiences on all kinds of love, and her life, as well as what it’s been like to be different.