That's right. The Artist Matters is officially one year old this week. Come join the celebration and listen to great quotes from several of the guests featured on the show.

Welcome to episode #52. Today’s guest is one I have been wanting on the podcast since the beginning. We were introduced by a mutual theatre friend through social media a few years ago. Scheduling time to meet up for an interview proved challenging. Busy schedules, holidays, other commitments. We finally met in person briefly at the Golden Corral Spring of last year. And then, he moved to North Carolina in the winter. Still - we just couldn’t find the time until now. I am so happy to bring to you, Jimmy Ferraro.
He knew from a young age he wanted to be an actor, singer, performer. He got his first singing gig at the age of 16 at a nightclub in New York. From there, he carved out a path and landed roles in several plays and musicals. He has performed in over 3000 performances, including his Broadway debut, of “Fiddler on the Roof”. Teyve has become his signature role. Other favorite roles include: Edna in "Hairspray", Sancho in "Man of La Mancha", and Nicely- Nicely in "Guys & Dolls".
He opened the first dinner theatre in Pasco county, Florida in 1977. And would later open up other theatres including: the Angel Garden Cafe Theatre and the Angel Cabaret Theatre,
It was during his time on stage in the 80’s, that Jimmy met his future wife, Dee Etta - who is also an accomplished singer and performer.
He created Jimmy Ferraro’s Academy of Performing Arts to teach the craft to up and coming new talent.
And he has been in show business for over 40 years. This is so inspiring to me. He was committed to this creative endeavor and never lost sight of achieving his dream. This is why his story matters.
I know you will get so much from this, so enjoy my chat my chat with Jimmy Ferraro.

Welcome to show #51. Today’s guest is Robin Finney. She is a Model. Solo Traveler. Nomad.  Yogi. Thoughtful Thinker.  Confidence & Empowerment Guide. 
She started a solo travel journey around the world in 2018, after quitting her corporate marketing job of 11 years. With little plans in place, Robin took the bold move of letting go of her apartment, furniture, many possessions, and even sold her car. She set off on a solo nomadic journey to 11 countries across 4 continents in the span of 8 months.
During her travels, Robin began doing photoshoots. At first it started off as a hobby - something she just wanted to do for fun. But in the midst of her photoshoot in Mexico, it became clear that this was more than a hobby. It soon became her mission and a way to support local economies by hiring local photographers, artisans, and stylists. Since then, she has done photo shoots in Morocco, Tunisia, Paris, Argentina and New Zealand, to name a few.
Robin also found the inspiration to launch her own business and embark on a new journey of teaching confidence and empowerment through solo travel experiences and retreats, photo adventures, and coaching. All of this can be found on her site, www.wanderingaunt.com.
This was such an enjoyable and inspiring story that I knew I had to have her on the show. So, enjoy my chat with Robin Finney.

We’ve made it to show #50. And we have my 2nd guest hailing from Canada. Musician, Singer, Performer - Joanna Finch.
She grew up with creativity flowing through her, whether it was singing or acting.
She was going to pursue acting in California, but got married and had a family and moved back to Canada. In that particular area, there wasn’t much of an art scene. Thankfully, she was able to move again and joined a choir. Then, formed a band. And also got involved in dinner theatre and cabaret shows.
Some of her music was even featured on the MTV show, “The Osbournes”.
Joanna can not only sing, but can play several instruments including, the piano, viola, flute and ukulele.
She goes into the 3 personas that inhabit her creativity and what each one brings to her art.
She has performed in several places and tells of her time in China.
A free spirit and vibrant soul, I’m sure you will enjoy my chat with Joanna Finch.

Welcome to episode #49. When you’re born into a family of doctors and you don’t want to be a doctor, what do you do?
Today’s guest can answer that. He is actor, performer, singer, musician, rockstar - MiG Ayesa.
Many of you may remember Mig when he competed on the TV show, “Rockstar INXS”, vying for a chance to become the new lead singer of the famous band. He may have come in third, but he was still able to secure a record deal with Universal Classics.
Back in his younger years, he wanted to carve his on path away from his family’s medical professions. When he discovered music, as a way to control his stutter, he knew he was on to something.
He did musical theatre in his teen years and really wanted to be a rockstar, even formed a band called Randy Badass & The Slickmaster Five. But family felt he still had to go to college and get a ‘real’ job.
But destiny was calling and he got a role in a TV pilot called “Mission: Top Secret” and then was offered to play Ritchie Valens in “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”.
Other musicals started coming, including: “Burn The Floor”, “Rent”, “We Will Rock You”, “Rock of Ages” and “All Out of Love” to name a few.
And MiG has a busy schedule. Travels all over the world to sing and perform, whether it’s on stage, TV or even cruise ships.
Unfortunately, there have been times that he lost his voice, but he pushed through and got back on track.
This is one of my favorite interviews. He had so much to offer and I was inspired. Special thanks to Laurie Ann Davis for connecting us.
You are going to love this episode. So, without further ado, enjoy my chat with MiG Ayesa.

Welcome to episode #48 with my 3rd international guest, hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Federico Aletta.
He has dabbled in a lot of creative niches. Finding passion in music, with influences like the Ramones, the Beatles and Pink Floyd, Federico took up bass and guitar and piano. His mother was a flamenco dancer , so he learned flamenco music.
He decided to travel in his 20's and wound up first in the U.K. That's where the modeling and acting began. He began dating a girl and went back with her to Tokyo, Japan. He got immersed in the culture and creative juices were flowing. More modeling, acting and then documentary filmmaking.
He founded "Fukahire Films" with his brother, Martin. And they continue to make their films back in Buenos Aires.
He is full of life and passion, so you're going to get a lot. Enjoy my chat with Federico.

Welcome to episode #47. Today’s show features an incredibly determined and inspiring artist. I welcome Lisa Sigurgeirson Maxx. She is a singer/songwriter, storyteller, writer, educator, public speaker, mama and amma (Icelandic for grandmother) and an all around lover of life. 
Lisa was born to a Scottish mother and a father of Icelandic decent in Steveston BC, on the lush and lovely Canadian south-west coast. Lisa grew up in a musical family and within a highly expressive, creative community.  Lisa penned her first song at age 9 and taught herself to play guitar as a young teenager.
Living then on Salt Spring Island, with all the quirks and wonders of life in a small, rural community, experiencing many changes  and "growth opportunities" along the way, combined with a deep, intrinsic love and affinity for her cultural heritage, Lisa was instilled with an unstoppable desire to share the stories of life, as seen through her own personal lens, through words and song. Lisa's debut album Still Hold True features 11 original songs and has received high praise from many inspired listeners.                       To add to the challenges of Lisa's early years, at age 33 she was diagnosed with severe and life-altering Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, which left her bed-ridden for many years. The unstoppable tenacity of her young life continued. Lisa has used this immensely challenging, and at times almost completely debilitating disease, as a platform to inspire, encourage and bring awareness, light and laughter to others.
In the early years of learning to live within the confines of dis-Ability, Lisa began writing a book entitled, letters to sally, (out soon - with a companion CD in the works!) Lisa is a life-loving, positive demonstration of how one cannot only grow but can also shine in the face of adversity. This project has now become the platform for a one-woman show of the same name.
In August 2016 Lisa (with her then duo Lisa Maxx and the Still Creek Crows) was flown to Iceland for her first international music tour, where she performed much of the music that pertains directly to her Icelandic heritage in the homeland of her paternal forebears. Lisa is currently working on creating a second, multi-discipline, one-woman show - with photographs, story & song - about Iceland, her Icelandic heritage and a bit of little-known Canadian-Icelandic history thrown in for good measure.
Talk about an overcomer. You will be inspired. So, take listen to my chat with Lisa.

Today we have my second international guest. Hailing from South Africa, it’s painter ,Glen Josselsohn.
He is a leading Contemporary Artist whose unique style is a buzz with energy and movement which opens up the imagination, engages the senses and ignites a sense of curiosity within the viewer. 
Glen’s Artwork has been recognized locally and internationally and he exhibits his artwork in Galleries all over the World.
Last year, Johannesburg boutique hotel, Marion on Nicol, commissioned Glen to do over 30 paintings for the establishment, creating a contemporary feel throughout the hotel.
He also likes to go beyond the canvas and has painted a mini Cooper car and Vespa scooter. Quite amazing work.
Glen also believes in giving back. He is involved in Operation Smile which helps provide surgery children with cleft palates. Glen also love animals and donates art to assist several animal charities.
He was on limited time, so this is a shorter interview, but still full of great artistic insights and inspiration.
Enjoy my chat with Glen!

Welcome to 2020 and a great first guest for the new year.
We have yet another guest I met at the Tampa Bay Theatre networking event.
Her name is Staci Sabarsky.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who used to pretend.  In her basement, she and her friends would act out their favorite television shows and star in their favorite musicals.  As she grew up, she entered the business world where she acted as a professional corporate trainer and consultant.  After seventeen years, she returned to college at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to pursue her passion–theatre.  Since earning her degree in Dramatic Arts in 2006, she has been teaching, directing, and coaching students of all ages. She taught Performing Arts for five years at Duke School (a private independent school in Durham, North Carolina) and was on the faculty of Raleigh Little Theater’s award winning Education Program for eight years where she taught ages 5-85!  Now, Staci shares her love of theatre and pretending with her private students and Tampa Bay area audiences.
She was most recently seen on-stage in PROOF (Stageworks Theatre) as Claire, THE GREAT GATSBY (Stageworks) as Mrs. McGee/Mrs. Michaelis, and as Mrs. Blair in INHERIT THE WIND (Stageworks/Tampa Rep).   Favorite roles include:  Stella in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (The Gilbert Theatre), Maureen in RENT (The Gilbert Theatre), Debra in THE SMELL OF THE KILL (Temple Theatre), Annabella/Pamela/Margaret in THE 39 STEPS (Raleigh Little Theater), Belinda/Flavia in NOISES OFF (Theatre in the Park), Nancy in FROZEN (Raleigh Ensemble Players), Camillo in THE WINTER’S TALE (Peace College Theatre), and Diana in LEND ME A TENOR (Actor’s Comedy Lab).
Since relocating back to Florida, she served as the Assistant Director for BROADWAY BOUND at Stageworks; directed a staged reading of JOHNNY 10 BEERS’ DAUGHTERS with Tampa Rep/Creative Loafing, and directed PROOF and SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD at Richey Suncoast Theatre.  Favorite directing credits include:  PROOF (Innovocative Theatre) DARK VANILLA JUNGLE (Camden Fringe Festival and Tampa International Fringe Festival), THE ODD COUPLE (Cary Players), THE RAINMAKER (Cary Players), CRIMINAL HEARTS (Lab Theatre), and GUYS & DOLLS JR. (Duke School).
As an educator and director, Staci believes that the skills learned through studying theatre and becoming part of an ensemble teach children and adults to become better people:  ones who can communicate confidently, collaborate well with others, and be spontaneous and creative in all aspects of their lives.
Enjoy my first chat of 2020 with Staci Sabarsky.

This is it! We've reached the end of 2019. Time to look back on all the highlights of my year here on the Artist Matters and beyond.