Checking in with Dr. B.

Born around the Trinidadian culture, Kendall Williams has adopted the country's national instrument, the steel pan. From as early as the age of four, Kendall made efforts to mimic his parents as they displayed their talents in a Miami-based steel band. It wasn't long before his efforts turned into a reality as he developed his skills and passion for the instrument. As he got older his passion brought out a connection to music and he was able to perform with large, world-renowned steel bands in Trinidad and Tobago as well as bands in the New York based scene for years and counting. He took things a step further changing his major from architecture to music performance on steel pan at Florida Memorial University. He was able to tour the lower United States with the Chorale and even travel to Brazil with the school steel band, all under the direction of Dr. Dawn Batson. Upon graduating with his B.A. in Music Performance, Kendall was encouraged to further his studies at NYU Steinhardt where he completed his Masters of Music in Theory and Composition. There he was able to study with Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe, and Rich Shemaria while actively participating in the NYU Steel band under the leadership of Artist Faculty member Josh Quillen. 

As he moved closer to graduating, his goals included composing and arranging music that could further showcase the steel pan for the virtuous instrument it is, while bringing his unique style to more conventional instruments known today. Now that he has graduated he aggressively pursues a career as a composer, arranger, educator, and advocate for the steel pan instrument. He works to open peoples' minds to the possibilities steel pan can offer the world by showing that the instrument is far more versatile than it may seem. In 2013, 2015, and 2017, he had music for steel pan and contemporary ensemble programmed on the Bang on A Can Marathon. In 2020 he wrote a solo composition featuring percussion for the Virtual Bang on A Can Marathon while performing as a soloist in the Virtual Bang on A Can marathon the following month. Just before that, he was awarded the opportunity to work with the Brooklyn Philharmonic on a project that involved steel pan ensemble and Orchestra.

In 2014 he was the Van Lier Fellow with the American Composers Orchestra. In addition, he is also currently a doctoral student in music composition at Princeton University! There he studied under the auspices of Dan Trueman, Steve Mackey, Dmitri Tymockzo, and So Percussion. In his most recent years, he has been actively lecturing and leading workshops at various colleges, universities and grade schools across the United States, while completing his dissertation. Dr. Williams was awarded the doctoral degree in Music Composition from Princeton University in May of 2023. 

Kendall is an active adjunct at Brooklyn College, a teaching assistant in a steel band class at Princeton University recently receiving his doctorate in Music Composition and is an adjunct at New York University where he also teaches private lessons in steel pan. Presently, his goals include establishing steel pan music programs in colleges and universities that will allow musicians to major in steel pan. While pursuing that, he also sits as CEO of Pan in Motion, an organization that he started to promote history, education, culture, and sustainability in steel pan. https://www.kendallkwilliams.com/bio

www.paninmotion.com

Kendall touches on:

Minimalism

Serialism

Xenakis

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 Laura Elaine Scheele is an Indiana native, wife, mother to three wild and wonderful children, and a lifelong word nerd. Her love for language led her to writing and in 2022 her poetry was published in Bouquet of Stars: Poetry Chapel Volume 3 Chelan Harkin and Friends. Prior to writing, she was a professional singer for the Catholic church and prior to that, a kindergarten teacher with an education degree from Indiana University. Music and education are common themes in  her poetry, as well as, hope and nature. Her goal with her writing is to continue to use it as a platform for good. She hopes to educate about and shed light on things sometimes unnoticed and unseen around us. Laura believes that her job is to cause pause and awareness with her writing.

Link with Laura via Facebook or email: 

[email protected]

Read her poetry in:

Bouquet of Stars Chelan Harkin and Friends

Laura speaks about finding her voice, using art as a force to bring people together, and her hopes for the future.

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Growing up in a highly creative, talented and entrepreneurial family, artisan Gabrielle Punch began exploring her own passion for creativity from an early age.  Over the years she has worked in several different mediums, from clay and ceramics, woodwork and paper, to photography, videography and graphic design.  

20 years later in 2015, Gabrielle discovered her newest passion from leather-crafting.  A long lover of leather and leather products, she was introduced by a friend to the raw material, and very quickly began experimenting and creating unique pieces.  She entered her first artisan market that year and received a tremendous response from patrons who were impressed with her work, which they described as classy, stylish and so functional. As the support and encouragement grew, so did Gabrielle’s llove for working with leather.  She acquired some hand tools and through trial and error, taught herself skills and techniques including sewing with leather.  She describes herself as a perfectionist who continues to learn more and more with each new project. 

To date, Gabrielle has designed and created over 1000 original, one-of-a-kind pieces.  Taking her time to think about and work on each detail to be added.  Her main focus is to create pieces for everyday use that fulfil the basic needs of her clients and customers.  Almost never working with pre-designed sketches, she works completely on the fly with images only in her mind and with this she prides herself on never repeating a design...NOT EVEN ONCE.  She says “I never know what the full end result is going to look like, but I’ll know it’s done when it’s DONE!”

In 2018 Gabrielle made a bold and courageous move quitting the security of her 9-5 job, and launched into D’Punchline as a full-time entrepreneur.  She says it’s the biggest decision she ever made, and she has never been happier!

Check Gabrielle’s website:

https://dpunchline.com/home

On Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dpunchlinett/

On Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/depunchlinett/

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The Two Legs That I Walk On - Astar Bishop is Checking in with Dr. B

Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/

Astar Bishop is a camera shy practicing artist, musician, composer and educator who is passionate about cinematic music and songwriting. His art is a blend of expressionism and cubism.  Laid back and hardworking in his music, Astar is always listening, trying to improve, staying current yet knowing that art never ages.  

The painting used for his cover photo is entitled Musical Tree. Finding physical things which could represent music. On the surface the trunk represents the main theme and the branches are the motifs which develop into more detail which eventually tell the whole story. The roots can be the inspiration for the song and the general ground work such as the musical history of the composer.

Astar received his BM in Jazz Studies from Florida Memorial University under the late maestro Melton Mustafa.  He teaches Art and Music at Queen’s Royal College (QRC), one of Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest secondary schools. 

Check Astar’s website: www.starshopstudios.com and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@astarbishop7650

Astar touches on:

• His art and his music
• Advice for aspiring artists
• His mentors and fellow musicians:
  • Fred Absalom
  • Andre Wallace
  • Kyle Hill
  • Ken Reyes
  • Melton Mustafa
• Influences:
  • Network Rapso Riddum Band
  • Brother Resistance
  • Ray Holman
  • Starlift Steel Orchestra
  • Invaders Steel Orchestra
  • Phase II Steel Orchestra
  • Impressionism
  • Queen’s Royal College (QRC)
  • University of the West Indies
  • Florida Memorial University

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I live in the AND - Kenrick Noel is Checking in with Dr. B Episode 6
I live in the AND

Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/

Kenrick J. Noel is a musician, adjudicator, and music educator who has received accolades in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, across the Caribbean, and in his homeland of Tobago.  He holds a  Bachelor of Arts in Music (Honors) from Florida Memorial University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education with specialization in Visual and Performing Arts from the University of the West Indies; a Diploma in Events Management from George Washington University and is pursuing a Masters in Carnival Studies at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Noel judges for Trinidad and Tobago’s National Panorama and Junior Panorama competitions; Calypso competitions and the Tobago House of Assembly Festival activities to name just a few of his cultural contributions.

Kenrick’s lifelong mantra is simply “Good, better, best…never should you rest until your good is better, and your better is the best!” 

Kenrick Noel touches on: 

• The influence of his parents

Fenwrick St. Michael “Michigan” Noel  and Marie-Louise Kerr-Noel

• His mentors:

Nervin “Teach” Saunders

Teddy Belgrave

Nestor Sullivan

Esther Batson

• Schools and Organizations

Arima Government Secondary School

Arima Senior Comprehensive School

Florida Memorial University

Northern Illinois University

University of the West Indies

University of Trinidad and Tobago

Signal Hill Secondary School

Pan Trinbago

NGC Steel Explosion Steel Orchestra

Voices of Deliverance, Calvary Road Deliverance Tabernacle

• Chromesthesia  - seeing music in colour

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Thank you for listening.  If you prefer to watch the video, check it out on YouTube.
Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

Joanna Shortt, a native of Arima, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, is a musician, educator, composer and steelpan adjudicator who has been involved in the steelband movement since the age of 12. She strongly believes in the merits of music and education and its ability to create and nurture creativity that is crucial to one’s holistic development.

She is the holder of a Diploma in Education from the University of the West Indies; a Master of Philosophy (Mphil) in Cultural Studies where she presented a thesis titled “Gender in the Contemporary Steelband”; and is a 2005 music and academic scholarship recipient of Florida Memorial University, Miami, Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Popular Music specializing in the steelpan with a minor in Business Administration. She is also a holder of a National Youth Music Award and other accolades for her musical performances and contributions both locally and internationally.

She continues to pursue her passion for music and education as a Music Educator and Acting Dean of Discipline at El Dorado West Secondary School in Trinidad. Joanna is certain that in the very near future she will utilize her teaching skills at the university level, start her own music school and/or divert to areas of music administration or music business in which she has long been interested.

Hear Joanna sing Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come"
https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/more-media

Joanna touches on:

• The importance of family support and tradition
• Music and teaching
• Her thesis "Gender in the Contemporary Steelband"
• Invaders Steel Orchestra

https://www.facebook.com/ShellInvaderstt/

• Arima Angel Harps Steel Orchestra
• Her Mentor and Godfather Nervin "Teach" Saunders 

https://www.panonthenet.com/opinions/2020/nervin-teach-saunders-8-2-20.htm

Thank you for listening.  If you prefer to watch the video, check it out on YouTube.
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Liam Teague is Professor of Music and Head of Steelpan studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where he also directs the renowned NIU Steelband. Teague is also the recipient of an NIU Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor Award. Hailed as the “Paganini of the Steelpan”, his commitment to demonstrating the great musical possibilities of the steelpan has taken him throughout the world.

Many of Liam's compositions and arrangements are published with MaumauMusic, PanPress and RamajayMusic,  He is steelband director at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Door County, Wisconsin.

Teague is also the author of a steelpan method for beginners published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.  He has many recordings to his credit, including: Hands Like Lightning, For Lack of Better Words, Panoramic: Rhythm Through an Unobstructed View and Open Window.
 
 Liam Teague - Hands Like Lightning
Liam Teague - A Visit to Hell
Liam performing “Algorhythm”  by Robert Chappell premiere video
Check out Liam's jazz arrangements in the "Videos" section at www.liamteague.com

Links

https://www.niu.edu/music/faculty/teague.shtml

Liam Teague Bio-video

NIU and Hands Like Lightning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JMgZaCb9WM

Al O’Connor

https://www.panonthenet.com/news/2019/jun/founder-of-the-NIU-Steelband-program-has-passed-away-6-10-2019.htm

 Cliff Alexis 

https://www.pas.org/about/hall-of-fame/clifford-alexis

NIU and Steelband

https://125keymoments.niu.edu/the-niu-steelband-is-formed-1973/

 Liam Teague and Robert Chappell

Branches of Snow, Robert Chappell

Pangelic

http://www.fayeseeman.com/pangelicduo/

Darren Sheppard

https://www.fonclaire.com/team/darren-sheppard 

Robert Chappell

https://www.niu.edu/music/faculty/chappell.shtml
Les Trilla

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/lester-trilla-obituary?id=5350006

Fay Seeman

https://www.niu.edu/music/faculty/seeman.shtml

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Josh Quillen has forged a unique identity in the contemporary music world as all-around percussionist, expert steel drum (also known as the steel pan) performer (lauded as “softly sophisticated” by the New York Times), and composer. His collaborations with other composers frequently incorporate the steel drums as a core element.

A member of the acclaimed ensemble Sō Percussion since 2006, Josh has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Lincoln Center Festival, Stanford Lively Arts, and dozens of other venues in the United States. In that time, Sō Percussion has toured Russia, Spain, Australia, Italy, Germany, and Scotland. He has had the opportunity to work closely with Steve Reich, Steve Mackey, Paul Lansky, David Lang, Matmos, Dan Deacon, and many others.

An avid educator, Josh is a performer-in-residence at Princeton University with Sō Percussion, as well as co-director of the Sō Percussion Summer Institute, an intensive workshop for college-aged percussionists on the campus of Princeton University. He is in his 14th year as the director of the New York University Steel Band.

Listen to Josh’s tribute to Martin Douglas aka “Dougie”:

Josh touches on:

• The importance of family and mentors 

Joan Wenzel and the Dover High School Steelband 

The Ohio State Marching Band

Larry Snider and the University of Akron Steelband 

• The maestro - Len “Boogsie” Sharpe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve7MbtNh25g

https://www.discogs.com/artist/4059016-Lennox-Boogsie-Sharpe

• The late, great Clifford Alexis:

https://www.pas.org/about/hall-of-fame/clifford-alexis

https://niutoday.info/2019/02/04/cliff-alexis-co-founder-of-nius-steelband-program-passes-at-82/

• Teaching, performing ensembles, community development and podcasting

NYU Steel

Sō Percussion

Learn more about Josh:

Josh Quillen

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Arddin Herbert, family man and multi talented musical director of Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, speaks with Dr. B. about his journey in life and in the steelband world.

Listen to Arddin Herbert and Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra at Panorama 2020 

Arddin touches on:

• The importance of family support systems and mentors such as Geraldine Connor and Tania Léon
• J’Ouvert - the opening of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and the diaspora. A goodbye to the flesh and perhaps things that beset the mind? Learn more about J’Ouvert 
• Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra - information about Invaders thanks to  Ronald C. Emrit 
• WoodTrin Steel Orchestra - The championship winning merge in the 1980s of Woodbrook Secondary and Trinity College for the Trinidad and Tobago Schools Steelband Festival
• CASYM Steel Orchestra

Join the Keep Your Joy and Rise Jumpstart Network with Dr. B.

About Dr. B.
Dr. B., also known as Dr. Dawn K. Batson, is a creative professional with over 20 years of experience in multicultural education and arts administration. She utilizes music and the arts with emphasis on the steel pan (the steel drum in the United States) as a medium for cross-cultural outreach. As the Executive Director of Keep Your Joy and Rise, LLC, she conducts training sessions in personal empowerment, team building, equity and inclusion for professionals and institutions across the globe.

Disclaimer:
Checking in with Dr. B. is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only.  The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

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