When I was growing up in New York
My mother would take me every Saturday to the Ruth Williams Dance School
at the Hotel Teresa on 125th Street in Harlem.
There were hundreds of little girls buzzing through the corridors in sparkling purple and silver stripes sequin bodysuits and sky blue tutus getting ready for their big debut at the famed Carnegie Hall at Lincoln Center in NYC. I was one of them. This is where my love of the arts began as I stepped on stage with patent leather tap shoe dreams, doing pirouettes and port de bras in my pink leather ballet shoes from Capezio expressing an unstoppable energy to move my body.
From the “Boogie Down” Bronx, I rode the #5 train downtown every day after school to Manhattan to begin my journey to pursue a life in the arts. I started as a scholarship student at the Alvin Ailey Children’s School. I received my BFA in modern dance at the University of the Arts. Toured the world with a 13-piece funk band The Brooklyn Funk Essentials. Danced with Jane Comfort & Company, and was a guest artist for Urban Bush Women. Played guitar in an all-girl band with alt-soul artist Kelis. Recorded and toured with funk legends Amp Fiddler and George Clinton, with the alt-rock band RX Prescription for Miss America. Recorded with jazz luminaries Roy Hargrove and my husband tenor saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-bart.
All of this led me to my recording contract with Universal Records performing as a soul singer and songwriter produced by Portishead.
Today, I combine my love for music and education as a member of the Folk Collective at the historic venue Club Passim exploring my curious mind for art, history, and culture. Now, I share my lifelong love of the arts with students around the world as a vocalist, songwriter, musician, and educator.
I look forward to meeting you! Book a lesson with me here!