Composer • Conductor • Singer
It’s not too late to be part of the region’s big get-together next weekend – April 26-27. Don’t miss this inspiring and opportunity-filled gathering from the National Association of Negro Musicians, hosted at my church in Pasadena, CA! For details and sign-up information, view and download the flyer here:
Registration is just $40 for two days of music, learning, the Marian Anderson Vocal Competition, and more… See you there!
National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM): Celebrating 100 years!!! Getting ready for our National Convention and Centennial Celebration, July 14-19, 2019 in Chicago, IL
I want to write about how thankful I am for all the blessings in my life this year; for my family; for my my work at Harvard Westlake and at Neighborhood Church Pasadena; for Tonality, Street Symphony, NANM; for LAMC and the LA Phil; for studio gigs and creative projects; for doctors and physical therapy; for psychologists, behavior specialists and teachers; for coaches and mentors and besties and colleagues, for sports and beer and video games and trampolines and an abundance of food and music…
But honestly, I’ve been going through some stuff. I’ll be okay, but I’ve been overwhelmed lately. I’ve been worried. I’ve been in pain. And sometimes it’s hard to be generous when we’re in pain or in need. We hoard our time, our money, our food, our space. Or sometimes we act carelessly and with ingratitude when we give and give and give at the expense of taking care of our own complex needs. We give away our time and money when we most need it to tend our own homes and souls. We fill up time instead of taking time. We fill up space instead of making space or holding space. Pain, grief, and need take us off balance. And I have been feeling this.
But I AM grateful. And I pray I am kind and loving despite my pain. I hope I remember to look beyond my own circumstance to see (and help meet) the needs of others. I hope I say “you’re welcome” as often as I say “thank you.” And I pray I have the courage, the strength, and the presence of mind to take folks up on their offers of generosity so I can hear the words “you’re welcome” and know the depth of their meaning.
We need balance. And it takes both courage and community to be both grateful and generous.
And it’s complicated, so let’s give ourselves a break.
Happy Thanksgiving.
NANM Senior Talent Preliminary Auditions (by appointment): Dr. Samuel M. Walker Jr. Talent Search presented by the George Robert Garner III Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM, Inc.)
This is open to all VOCALISTS 55 years or older.
The performance/presentation will be held: Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3:00pm, at the Altadena Baptist Church in Altadena, CA
THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR THE TOP THREE CONTESTANTS
First Place: $500 Second Place: $300 Third Place: $200
Contact drzanaidarobles@gmail.com to enter.
In honor of this occasion, I’m celebrating 10 people/organizations who, through public service and/or artistry have made a deeply positive impact on me since my last birthday.
<– Duh, he’s my husband. ❤❤❤
Former football player who is slayin’ the classical singing world with his incredible voice. Uses his FB page as a platform for having dynamic conversations about Black Lives.
Composer/Singer who collaborated with my students and me at Harvard Westlake this past April to present one of the most beautiful and artistically satisfying choral performances in my career as a conductor.
The choir that is changing the world.
The more time I spend with my “aunties and uncles” in this organization, the more my life is blessed.
Conductor of Conspirare. We met briefly when he headlined the regional CCDA conference at CSFU this past fall. His message and his music at the conference were sublime. But to speak to him face to face was a total experience. One could drown in the depth of love and passion he brings to his art form.
Hip Hop singer/songwriter. I didn’t even really like this artist when I first heard him on the radio a few years ago. But over the last year I’ve become intrigued by the sweet, vulnerable quality of his voice. His song “Pray for Me” which was featured in the movie Black Panther has become a part of my personal inner soundtrack.
These dudes on this KSPN morning show crack me up on my way to work. Their banter is usually hilarious and often deeply stimulating with regard to social consciousness. Though it’s a sports radio show, they honor musical artists and talk about current events, thereby making me feel connected to the world beyond my little musical sphere.
Visual artist. His paintings of women of color are simply extraordinary. Every single one of his works is bursting with love and radiance. I have been moved to tears on occasion just by the art he shares on Facebook.
