State of the Arts Episode 24 just released. This week's podcast guest is talented makeup artist and aspiring actress Brandy Renee Baker. Brandy is the cousin of professional actors who appeared on Law & Order, Fatal Attraction, and other productions. Performance has always been an art form she was interested in. Courageously conquering her shyness by taking on one opportunity at a time, she moves towards her goal of becoming a professional actress. Karaoke nights, public speaking in church, and being her best friend Kelly Sisco's guest on WVOX are some of the activities she has partaken in. Being involved in a great deal of charity work, Brandy shows herself to not only be creative, but compassionate as well. Although her wellspring of creativity is endless, as she comes up with new nail art designs for her manicurist, teaches her adorable toy dog Sheldon tricks and plays with photo graphics as well. This episode is an uplifting experience because of such a sweet, artistic and positive guest.               

In celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, State of the Arts welcomes this week's guest, ballet director and choreographer Marla Hirokawa. A Cum Laude graduate with a degree in dance from the University of California Irvine, she has been the Artistic Director of Covenant Ballet in Brooklyn since 1987, when she founded the prestigious dance school. Since the creation of the Covenant Ballet Dance Theatre in 1989, she has created many original ballets. This episode focuses on The Nisei Project in particular, which premiered in 2001. The Nisei Project was a heartfelt tribute to her late father and his fellow Japanese American World War II veterans. Japanese American soldiers were put in segregated units. These units were the most highly decorated in the war and suffered the most causalities. Many of these young Japanese American men, especially those in California, were already living in government sanctioned incarceration camps with their families when they were drafted. They nobly served the United States despite the disgraceful discrimination they faced. They embodied the Japanese spirit of gaman (patience, loyalty and perseverance). The Nisei Project is a masterful dance dramatization of one of these brave soldiers' journey from innocent Californian teenager with a happy home life to a trained patriotic fighter whose family was ripped from their home and relocated by the government he was fighting for. With the help of Marla's sister, Laurie Hamano, The Nisei Project was brought to her home state of Hawaii for a traveling performance in 2003. At the end of every performance Japanese American Veterans were welcomed onto the stage to be thanked by Marla, the cast and the audience. In 2014, the ballet was revived and selected to be in The New York Fringe Festival. I am so proud that my Uncle Lawrence Lam was a part of this masterpiece which I watched enthusiastically with a group of friends and family members. I feel blessed, honored and privileged to have Marla Hirokawa on my podcast this week. Tune in for a larger-than-life episode with one of the most incredible artists I've ever had the pleasure of interviewing.      

State of the Arts Episode 22: Mother's Day Special just published! This week an unprecedented, thrilling new episode of State of the Arts. I am joined on my podcast by my mother, Caroline Osborne who is a classically trained pianist, ballroom dance hobbyist, world traveler and classic cinema enthusiast. Born and raised in Hong Kong while it was still a British commonwealth, she grew up speaking both Cantonese and English. She was educated in private Vatican-run schools, always achieving high honors. Discovering a passion for classical piano at twelve years old, she was trained by private instructors hired by my grandparents. She ultimately passed all her exams at the British Academy of Music. She graduated from Saint Francis College with an honors degree in Liberal Arts. A classmate of my mom's just happened to be pen pals with my dad and eventually played matchmaker, introducing the two. They fell in love and were married in New York City. For thirty two years my mom worked in civil service for the New York Office of Management & Budget, Intergovernmental Relations, State Legislation, and the Mayor's Office. Her music accomplishments include playing at Belen Manuel's Annual Snug Harbor Recital, playing hymns at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Healing Service under the leadership of Monsignor Jeffery Conway and jamming on her keyboard at events held by the family dining establishment, Hometown Restaurant. Generous, adventurous, intelligent and tenacious, my mom was and still is an exemplary role model. She helped me become who I am today. Because of her boldness, as a teen I unashamedly let my peers know that I preferred classic jazz over boy bands, three inch pumps over Doc Martins, and the '55 Brooklyn Dodgers over the '98 Yankees. Because of her discipline, I pushed myself hard to stay in honors from junior high school to college where I graduated on the dean's list. Because of her sophistication, my childhood was a culturally rich experience. I am so blessed to have my wonderful, amazing mother on this episode of my podcast.

State of the Arts Episode 22: Mother's Day Special just published! This week an unprecedented, thrilling new episode of State of the Arts. I am joined on my podcast by my mother, Caroline Osborne who is a classically trained pianist, ballroom dance hobbyist, world traveler and classic cinema enthusiast. Born and raised in Hong Kong while it was still a British commonwealth, she grew up speaking both Cantonese and English. She was educated in private Vatican-run schools, always achieving high honors. Discovering a passion for classical piano at twelve years old, she was trained by private instructors hired by my grandparents. She ultimately passed all her exams at the British Academy of Music. She graduated from Saint Francis College with an honors degree in Liberal Arts. A classmate of my mom's just happened to be pen pals with my dad and eventually played matchmaker, introducing the two. They fell in love and were married in New York City. For thirty two years my mom worked in civil service for the New York Office of Management & Budget, Intergovernmental Relations, State Legislation, and the Mayor's Office. Her music accomplishments include playing at Belen Manuel's Annual Snug Harbor Recital, playing hymns at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Healing Service under the leadership of Monsignor Jeffery Conway and jamming on her keyboard at events held by the family dining establishment, Hometown Restaurant. Generous, adventurous, intelligent and tenacious, my mom was and still is an exemplary role model. She helped me become who I am today. Because of her boldness, as a teen I unashamedly let my peers know that I preferred classic jazz over boy bands, three inch pumps over Doc Martins, and the '55 Brooklyn Dodgers over the '98 Yankees. Because of her discipline, I pushed myself hard to stay in honors from junior high school to college where I graduated on the dean's list. Because of her sophistication, my childhood was a culturally rich experience. I am so blessed to have my wonderful, amazing mother on this episode of my podcast. 

State of the Arts Episode 21: Saxophonist, Clarinetist, and Music Teacher Anthony Pellegrini joins me this week on my podcast. This Western Connecticut State University graduate is a music instructor at the Creative Music Center. Luis Fernando Jimenz, Andrew Beals, and Tony Lustig are among the greats whom he has studied with. He has released two original jazz albums, Four and One being one of them. In his most recent album, The Spring We Never Had, he is joined by The MVH Organ Trio.  Being a member of the Brian Setzer-influenced tribute band The Rock This Town Orchestra,  Anthony has played in many lively venues and events in the New York and Connecticut areas. Since the pandemic started, he has been involved in a variety of outdoor and now virtual performances. Tune in for an exciting interview with this inspirational, dedicated musician!

My podcast guest this week is award-winning musician, songwriter, band leader, entrepreneur and life coach Valerie Romanoff. Her music covers a vast spectrum called "Still, Chill and Thrill." "Still" is music for meditation. "Chill" is music for activation. "Thrill" is music for celebration. A diverse range of music spanning from new age to jazz to rock to the blues to world to funk. The Best World Album at the 15th Annual Zone Music Awards was one of the many awards Valerie has won.  Although she is a multi-instrumentalist, she is predominantly a guitarist. Her original works are geared toward the meditation, yoga and spa industries. Not only is she the leader of the renowned Starlight Orchestra, she is also its CEO and co-founder. Her newest band is called Spirit Jam. Dividing her time between both Sedona, Arizona and New York, she calls both places her home.  Before the pandemic, her schedule was flooded with festivals, live concerts and massive events. She can be found currently on Twitch.tv  where she plays her music on a live stream. With virtual collaborations with other musicians and an album on the horizon, she has several projects she is now dedicated to. Healing Music Volumes 1 & 2 and The Best of Healing Music are among her various albums which can be purchased online. The late great and legendary yoga master Tao Porchon-Lynch collaborated with Valerie to create albums Reflections and Om Shanti Shalom. Tao softly speaks words of wisdom and tranquility over Valerie's soothing melodies. This was an amazing podcast episode with a truly amazing woman!      

State of the Arts Episode 19. I'm joined on my podcast this week by playwright, singer, actress, ballroom dance student, travel enthusiast and patron of the arts, Mary Perifimos. She is a member of  The Senior Theatre Acting Repertory (STAR), a theatre organization for senior citizen performers, directors and writers. She was the writer of several comedic plays addressing issues relevant to the senior citizen community. She also participated in singing songs and parodies with STAR. With pandemic restrictions now, she continues to perform and work with the Repertory virtually. For many years Mary Perifimos has been a ballroom dance student at Mende's Dance Studio as well, participating in classes, lessons and events. Being a fashion hobbyist in the past, she had sketched many designs, spanning over several decades. With a passion for writing, she has composed many poems, short stories and a book. She is well read, well traveled, and so very interesting to talk to. It was an amazingly special treat to have Mary Perifimos on my podcast this week!   

Jazz Appreciation Month Special. With much excitement, I welcome jazz saxophone great and the founder of the Bob Mover Music Academy, Bob Mover to my podcast. Along with Web Manager/Curriculum Coordinator Jessy Kaiser, Bob Mover gives an informative and fascinating interview about his new online jazz music school. This episode gives listeners a glimpse into the Bob Mover Academy of Music also known as BMA. The faculty is composed of some of the top jazz musicians of our day including Victor Lewis, Rick Margitza and Sheila Jordan. Bob Mover and Jessy Kaiser discuss the wellspring of high quality education that BMA offers, the relevance of an online music school in the times we live in, the interesting story behind how BMA was formed and a new line of saxophones that are named after Bob Mover. With a brief audio cameo from my pianist husband Joe Grado, who is also the Marketing and Technology Manager of BMA, I explore the inner workings of this stellar music academy. Join me on this virtual adventure into this prestigious online music school!            

State of the Arts Episode 17! Women's History Month Special: A Loving Memorial Episode for Yoga Master, Political Activist, Ballroom Dancer, High Fashion Model, Author, Wine Connoisseur and Hollywood Actress Tao Porchon-Lynch (1918-2020). My guests this week are Tao Porchon-Lynch's protégés and spiritual family members, Renee Diamond and Joanna Rajendran. Together we  remember a timeless icon who transcended all commonly acknowledged limits of life and who has left a most extraordinary legacy. Tao Porchon-Lynch, whose mother was Indian and father was French, began training in yoga as a child in Puducherry, India against her family's wishes. She was a part of the French Resistance during World War II, helping Jews escape from the Nazis. Trained by Sir Noël Peirce Coward, she was a cabaret dancer and actress who performed for the Allied troops in dangerous combat zones. She also trained over 2,000 USO entertainers to perform for the military.  Eventually she signed a contract with MGM studios. "The Last Time I Saw Paris" and "Showboat" were two of the various movies she appeared in. She worked as a high-fashion model in France, where her family owned wineries. Studying under Yogis, B. K. S. Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois in India whenever she could, she brought her knowledge back to Hollywood. Many movie stars were trained in Yoga by Tao. She joined family friend, Mahandus Gandhi, in marches for justice. In 1963 she attended Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. She spoke at a peace panel alongside the Dhali Lama and several Nobel Laureates. In 1962, she married New Yorker Bill Lynch who was in the insurance industry and moved to Westchester, New York. Together they established The American Wine Society and wine appreciation magazine, The Beverage Communicator.  She became a full-time Yogi at this point in her life. Passionate about saving wildlife, especially elephants, she was active in wildlife conservation as well. At 87, she began training in international-style ballroom dancing, eventually winning over 700 Pro-Am first place titles. Her other accomplishments included ascending to the second round on America's Got Talent with her ballroom dance partner who was 70-years her junior, holding the record in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the world's oldest yoga instructor and writing her autobiography "Dancing Light." I was blessed to have known Tao for a brief period of time when I attended a few parties and was in a showcase with her at The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hartsdale. I took some of her yoga classes during this time, which was a life-changing experience. There was a Latin competitive ballroom dress she owned that she thought would look perfect on me and we just happen to be the same dress size. So, she brought her dress into the studio the next time she saw me and just gave it to me! I've worn it recently for my promotional photo shoot. Tao Porchon-Lynch has made an impact on the lives of thousands of people, myself included. She led a life that was larger than life. With great honor, I dedicate this podcast episode to the beautiful legend who is Tao Porchon-Lynch.                                                          

State of the Arts Episode 16! My guest this week is award-winning online show producer/actor/director/writer Joshua R. Pangborn who is a dear friend and former classmate of mine from my alma mater, Manhattanville College. With a Bachelors of Arts from Manhattanville, a Doctorate in Literature from St. John's University and a great deal of experience in theatre, Josh founded Sidekick Productions. This online productions company (that has over 5,000 subscribers on Youtube) produces plus size-positive, LGBTQ-focused shows that addresses many important social issues with a daring comedic touch.  Their bevy of productions include the wildly comical Skeleton Crew, the morbidly fascinating Demon Doctor and their newest clever installment, The Art of Blowing It. Skeleton Crew has eight nominations and three awards including the Côte d'Azur Web Fest Award. Demon Doctor has thirty-one nominations and fourteen awards including  Best Comedy at the British Web Fest. A gifted, mutli-talented cast and crew makes Sidekick Productions run like a well-oiled machine. Despite all the success, Josh is still is as down-to-earth and fun as he was back in our college years. It was a privilege to have him on my podcast!