Green Chimneys

Sometimes I wish I blogged more - and sometimes I just don't feel like it ;-)

I've been feeling really great though - grateful for many things in my life.

I am now living at the Times Square building on 43rd/8th. It's low-income housing, which means super cheap rent, and they let you sublet the place out for 6 month periods.

Wheeee!!!!! And I'm right in Times Square, what?!?!?! Steps away from Broadway Dance Center, so I've been taking more classes there again, which feels really nice.

Today, I went back to this place called Green Chimneys, a home for runaway & homeless youth. Many of them are LGBTQ. I played there once before, and though many of them are "troubled," they really seem to appreciate the music - it's really an honor to have them listening and responding to the music. I brought my friend Melissa to sing some duets, and my friends Heightz to do some rapping. I think it went over really well.

LaShawn Kelly, who I met a couple years ago, has been very supportive of my career, and is one of the main staff at Green Chimneys. She is truly amazing. Hope to go back there soon.

Brian Green

This man is, like, the truth.

And I'm not talking about Brian Austin Green.

This is Brian "Footwork" Green, hip hop dancer and choreographer / master teacher. This is roots hip-hop, real deal stuff.

And he's an amazing teacher - very positive - I've had deep conversations with the guy. SO appreciative - and he shouted me out tonight for my musicality - good feelings... Thanks Brian!

Sleep Schedule

So...

I'm basically in between jobs and my sleep schedule is all sorts of messed up.

Trying to grow my piano and voice lesson studio & a couple other irons in the fire right now.

In any case,

I go to bed later and later, and sleep later and later, and that is a problem.

In some ways it's good, because I'm actually getting alot of SLEEP, which is so important.

But then I miss too much of the day.

So I'm hoping this improves!

I did make it to a class tonight at Broadway Dance Center. Good to be back in the mix there. So many people with awesome energy who I feel I connect with, who care about how I'm doing.

I took Luam.

Even though I don't get to her class on a regular basis,

she has been an inspiration over the years - the way she lives her life in creativity through dance,

and gets so many people interested in her movement.

Thanks for a good class! I love dancing. AAAHHH....

Demo Session & Reality Show Placements!!

Awesome day!!

Went and took Jared Grimes today at Broadway Dance Center. It had been so long!! He's inspired me since the first year I moved to NYC and had me participate in a bunch of his Broadway Underground shows at B.B. King's in Times Square. Blessed to know him. It was a great class!

I'm called in tomorrow to sing a demo for Miller (beer). The song is All By Myself by Eric Carmen, but a contemporary soulful version. Was listening to the original though (I was only familiar with the Celine Dion version) and it sounds good...

I also got awesome news that my music has been licensed for a bunch of reality shows.... REALITY TV woo-hoo!!

Here are the shows the licensing may include:

Real World

The Challenge

Keeping up with the Kardashians

Kim & Kourtney Take New York

Bad Girls Club

Bad Girls Dating

Very exciting! Hope this is the first of many licensing / placements to come!

Ass on the Floor

Loving Diddy Dirty Money's album "Last Train to Paris" especially "Ass on the Floor."

Took a great class yesterday with Neil Schwartz. I went to BDC to take Joanna (hadn't been there in FOREVER) but she was not feeling well so Neil taught.

This is me with him after class, looking a little sweaty lol.

Benefit

Had a great time performing at another benefit - this was in NJ at Rutgers University for some nursing students raising money to go to Costa Rice during spring break to do some service.

It was organized by Chris Byrd, a dance friend, who is also in the nursing program - there were a bunch of us dancers / artists there performing and I had so much fun seeing everybody!

I sang a bit of Ooh-La-La & then Warning Shot - and it was a nice audience. .. I really enjoy the connection with the audience no matter where I go - it's all about attitude and having fun.

I love dancers and missed alot of my dance friends. I haven't been going to Broadway Dance Center as much anymore, so it was great to see everybody!

banshee

That's my new favorite word.

Banshee - is a female spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld

But I like to think of "banshee" as crazy or wild.

Here is a picture that popped up on google for banshee:

Took Shyrelle Kalilikane at Broadway Dance Center tonight. We did an Aaliyah combo, since it was the anniversary of Aaliyah's death.

Class was great. Love Shyrelle!