There have been so many meetings and trainings and lunches and dinners to prepare me for full-time teaching at Harvard-Westlake Upper School. Yes, I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious. I’m also incredibly motivated, confident, and immensely grateful to be in place where, according to the mission statement, we strive “to be a diverse and inclusive community united by the joyful pursuit of educational excellence, living and learning with integrity, and purpose beyond ourselves.” At 5:30am when I drag myself out of bed to do my 15 minute yoga routine each morning before I go to work, I remind myself that I’m doing this because I’m called to embody excellence. Since I started this practice, I have felt much more physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. I hope I can stick with it long enough for my yoga practice to become an unshakeable habit.
One of my friends at Harvard-Westlake is a new Spanish instructor from Belize. I told her of my struggle to become a fluent Spanish speaker. She optimistically told me to download an app called “Duolingo.” I’ve been having so much fun practicing not only Spanish, but also French! Apparently, I’m 27% fluent in Spanish and 17% fluent in French. I actually think I’m further along than that, but I can only complete so many exercises in a day. In any case, I’m definitely on my way. This is doable, folks!
During the national convention in New Orleans, LA this past week, I ran for a post on the national board of NANM because I believe in its mission, I am proud of its legacy, and I want to play a constructive role in its future. NANM is one of the most profoundly diverse organizations in this nation. Yes, we proudly claim our identity as Black, African-American, and Negro. But as a body of people, we are also multicultural, multi-stylistic, intergenerational, inter-geographical, multi-lingual, inter-religious, and socio-economically dynamic and diverse. What a gift we are to our people and to our nation as an exquisite example of how to recognize our common cultural heritage while celebrating our diversity and expanding our legacy! The National Association of Negro Musicians is a beacon of light in our country during times of great darkness, and I am honored for the opportunity to officially serve as a national ambassador for NANM. I look forward to doing my part to shine its light throughout this country.
Bruno Mars
Steve Reich
Santa Fe Desert Chorale
Leif Ove Andsnes
The Chieftains
Chris Thile
Frank Sinatra
Deborah Cox
Denyce Graves
Morris Robinson
Conductor 
KUSC has many ways to listen. 