By Kathy Coan Uek

Singer Erica Leigh Stenquist was excited about the release of her debut album "Puzzle Heart" – a musical mix of songs about love, life and loss with layers of background vocals, strings and precussion. 

But on that career-high day – Nov. 29, 2012 – Erica Leigh was slammed by devastating news. She had thyroid cancer and it had spread to her lymph nodes. And as if that was not enough, her doctor said she may never sing again.

Two surgeries to remove her thyroid gland and 58 lymph nodes were followed by radiation treatments – and a cancer-free year. 

Full of determination and grit, the award-winning Southborough songwriter, and 2010 Berklee College of Music graduate, has successfully resumed her career.

During Stenquist's dark days of worrying how far the disease had spread inside her body and what would happen to her voice, it was singing that brought her through the ups and downs associated with illness and recovery.

Tall, slim with hazel eyes, she cut her long brown curly hair, started fresh and continued chasing her dream.

“Laughter was my best medicine,” said the 29-year-old songstress. “The experience deepened my appreciation for singing.”

Erica Leigh – as she is known professionally – is writing and arranging songs for her next album, performing at local area venues and singing inspirational musical compositions to raise cancer awareness.  Her mission is to give hope to those who need it. 

Her music is described as honest, vulnerable and uplifting.

"Calling All Survivors" is a rebellious anthem that stands up to the dreaded disease. It was choreographed for dance and recently performed alongside Erica Leigh and her powerhouse-backup band at Cambridge's Oberon Theater.

In her role to help fight cancer, Erica Leigh has been a guest speaker and performer at the Relay for Life in Holliston, where she grew up, and an annual featured performer in the Hallway Concert Series at Massachusetts General Hospital's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care in Boston.

But her rallying song is not just for cancer survivors. Hearing it, listeners can relate it to their own personal struggles and the need to feel connected.

“As an artist pursuing my passion, I wanted to make a difference and send the message that they are not alone,” she said.

While some of her music is about life’s struggles, overcoming adversity and self-discovery, she writes songs with other themes including “Over the Moon,” composed when her niece Hadleigh was born. “There’s a little bit of everything in my music,” she said.

Erica Leigh likes to experiment with new styles of self-expression, which range from acoustic and electric guitar to a vocal synthesizer.

Recently, she began performing at live-music “house concerts.” Performing in the living rooms of friends and fans have become her favorite venues.

“It’s a new trend and an opportunity to try out new songs, get feedback and connect with the audience without the distraction of a noisy venue,” she said.

Beyond house concerts, her upcoming performances include The Burren, a Somerville pub, on Jan. 27.

On March 31, she will perform at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham.

Cancer couldn't steal Erica Leigh's life - or her voice.

For information about Erica Leigh and her upcoming performances, visit https://www.ericaleigh.com.