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I was raised in Southgate, Michigan (a city on the outskirts of Detroit) - the
epitome of suburbia. Born into a Christian household, I was in church my first
Sunday on Earth, (well... actually it was my second Sunday as October 3 also
fell on a Sunday in 1982,) and I have been in church ever since. My sisters
were twelve and fourteen when I was born, so growing up, I had three moms
and was a teenager by the time I was four.
When I really was a teenager, I developed a love for music. I sang and played
guitar in my youth group praise team, and was the secretary of the guitar club
at school. The truth is I was the GClub secretary because I was the only girl.
Whatever, I embraced the stereotype. Anyway, my senior year was a huge
turning point for me. It was the year my grandmother died. My mom's mom and
I were very close, and the shock made me long for change. I finally worked up
the nerve to try out for the school musical, (Grease... naturally,) and I landed
the part of Marty with a solo. My performance got me recognized by the local
cable company, and a VHS of my performance was entered into a national
scholarship competition. I won a $500 scholarship and a VCR for my school
(which I am sure they no longer use because... well VHS sucks.) After I
graduated, I attended Wayne State University for a semester at which time I
thought I might pursue acting. Um... Yeah, no. Fortunately, I took a vocal class
as an elective, and realized what I was meant to do with my life.
In the mean time, I began working at a restaurant called Castaldi's Market and
Grill where I entertained as a "Singing Server." I know, that sounds so cool
doesn't it? It was the best job ever! It was in this year, that my grandfather
passed away. My mother took it very hard, and she needed me; this tragedy
brought us closer than we had ever been. I took a semester off to help my
mom with the details of my guppy's passing, and to further pursue that whole
"family recipes that sing" thing. I enrolled at Baptist Bible College (Springfield,
Missouri) the next year to major in music education.
On my visits home, I recorded and performed with a band we called Penuel.
While I was at school, I wrote like a mad woman. I spent my evenings with my
roommate, Katie, bouncing my ideas off of her... and then she died. Just like
that. It was tragic and sudden and it rocked me to my core. The silver lining
came when I mourned with her parents. They were so strong, and it was clear
that their faith in God gave them hope. Their faith in God gave me hope.
Someday Katie and I will write music together in heaven.
In November 2005, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. This type of cancer is
not generally life-threatening, but as a vocalist the location of this gland
makes the surgery to remove it very frightening. As I prepared myself, the
thought of never recording again crossed my mind. I was terrified that my
vocal legacy would be my nasally Penuel recordings, and my sisters' sappy,
mushy, drippy love songs. I called my producer and he was happy to
inconvenience other artists to accommodate me at the last minute. I recorded
the three-song demo that you're sick of hearing if you know me, and prayed
that it would not be my last. I came out of surgery and drank my magic tea...
Hello. I could speak... La la la... I could sing... Praise God! YOU don't have to
if you don't want to, but I highly recommend it!
So... I am a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason;" it is clear to
me, that every step I have taken has prepared me for my next. As a result, I
am not just a three-song demo and a head shot reminiscent of the 40s. Music
is my first love, but I as an artist, I find beauty and satisfaction in many other
things. I pursue astronomy with a passion; one of my most memorable life
experiences was a trip to Kitt Peak National Observatory which was coupled
with a stay in Tuscon, Arizona where I engaged in a marathon of deep space
observation. I love to capture my visual experience, so photography and
sketching serve as another avenue through which I can share my inspiration. I
collect dolls... I know... its silly... right. Well, as silly as it is, it has become an
art form because I've learned how to repaint and customize these tiny
beauties. You will soon see some of my one-of-a-kind creations on e-bay. I
also craft like crazy - sewing, knitting, crocheting, wood and paper craft... my
favorite creations are the clothes I make for my OOAK 1/6 scale creations
(Dollfie and Barbie dolls). I also am addicted to the Sims 2... OMG - totally
addicted. Maybe I have too many hobbies, but God gave us life so we could
enjoy it. He enjoys it... why do you think His creation is so beautiful?
If you want to, or could even possibly, know more, I delve into the intimate
details of my innermost person in my blog:
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