Shana Tucker, the originator of chamber-soul joins CreativeTalk to discuss authenticity and intention. Growing up on Long Island, NY as a beneficiary of public school arts education, Shana's classical cello and singing talents awarded her a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC, where she was first introduced to jazz and other essential musical resources, on campus and around the city. While at Howard, Shana initiated her improvisation chops and honed her songwriting skills, but decided to relocate to NYC to study with master cellist Marion Feldman and complete her undergraduate studies in performance at CUNY-Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. An NPR interview about Shana's debut CD, "SHiNE" and her ChamberSoul style prompted an invitation from Cirque du Soleil to join the company as cellist/vocalist for their show, KÀ in Las Vegas, where she stayed and performed for five years before returning to North Carolina. With collaborations as the cornerstone of her artistry, Shana is currently a featured artist performing with legendary jazz saxophonist/composer Bennie Maupin; jazz drummer/composer Shirazette Tinnin and Sonic WallPaper; Grammy-nominated NuSoul collective, The Foreign Exchange. Her newest project, Women's Work, a female-led collective of jazz, soul and pop singer-songwriters and musicians representing both east and west coasts. Having opened for internationally-acclaimed artists including Norah Jones, Lisa Fischer, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Hamiet Bluett, Javon Jackson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Indigo Girls, Shana's vocals and cello are featured on several studio and live recording projects by both independent and signed label artists and producers. She also devotes a considerable amount of her time to working with students in schools & universities, community centers and summer camps throughout the year as part of her mission to promote arts education programming for students of all ages.

Shana Tucker, the originator of chamber-soul joins CreativeTalk to discuss authenticity and intention. Growing up on Long Island, NY as a beneficiary of public school arts education, Shana's classical cello and singing talents awarded her a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC, where she was first introduced to jazz and other essential musical resources, on campus and around the city. While at Howard, Shana initiated her improvisation chops and honed her songwriting skills, but decided to relocate to NYC to study with master cellist Marion Feldman and complete her undergraduate studies in performance at CUNY-Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. An NPR interview about Shana's debut CD, "SHiNE" and her ChamberSoul style prompted an invitation from Cirque du Soleil to join the company as cellist/vocalist for their show, KÀ in Las Vegas, where she stayed and performed for five years before returning to North Carolina. With collaborations as the cornerstone of her artistry, Shana is currently a featured artist performing with legendary jazz saxophonist/composer Bennie Maupin; jazz drummer/composer Shirazette Tinnin and Sonic WallPaper; Grammy-nominated NuSoul collective, The Foreign Exchange. Her newest project, Women's Work, a female-led collective of jazz, soul and pop singer-songwriters and musicians representing both east and west coasts. Having opened for internationally-acclaimed artists including Norah Jones, Lisa Fischer, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Hamiet Bluett, Javon Jackson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Indigo Girls, Shana's vocals and cello are featured on several studio and live recording projects by both independent and signed label artists and producers. She also devotes a considerable amount of her time to working with students in schools & universities, community centers and summer camps throughout the year as part of her mission to promote arts education programming for students of all ages.

September 12, 2018 1:01 Welcome to the Creative Talk Podcast. I'm Dr. Karla Scott and I invite you to listen as some of the most gifted and seasoned Creatives share their wisdom on success, longevity, motivation and faith. Stories are perhaps our greatest teachers, and our guests offer theirs as well as practical tips to encourage and inspire as you pursue your dreams. Listen as authors, teachers, performers and leaders share what they know about releasing their creative gifts to the world. Learn how they navigate detours and discover the mindset secrets for success.

April 11, 2018. 28:21 Violinist, violist, singer, arranger and Associate Professor in the String Department at Berklee College of Music. Chelsey Green was born into a family of jazz and funk musicians and began playing violin at age 5. Since 2010, Chelsey has carved out a musical niche which combines her classical string training, arrangements of soul-stirring R&B, pop, soul, funk, jazz, alternative, hip-hop, jazz and gospel music backed by a three piece band. Her band, known as The Green Project, has performed on the CBS Late Show with David Letterman, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the opening of The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Essence Music Festival, Bahrain Spring of Culture Festival, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Kuwaiti National Opera House, The John F. Kennedy Center and more! Recently, Chelsey was awarded Montgomery County (Maryland) Executive’s Award “Outstanding Artist Award” and featured in a nationally syndicated Walmart commercial produced by BET Networks that premiered during the 2017 Soul Train Awards. Chelsey reveals the importance of exploring the full capacity of one's gift. From an early age, she was encouraged to play all genres of music, a harbinger of things to come. She also discusses the importance of practice, preparation and prayer as effective ways to develop one's artistry fully.

April 6, 2018 45:45 Scripted television writer, producer, author and speaker Stacey Evans Morgan is a respected industry veteran whose producer/writer credits include The Parkers, The Jamie Foxx Show, One on One, the NAACP Image Awards, Love that Girl, Family Time and more. Stacey is an in-demand workshop presenter in academic and industry settings for aspiring writers, and is the author of three books, Real Soul Food (poetry), Cocoa Princess (children) and A Good Thing (novel). Before all the impressive credits, Stacey worked in entry level jobs in local tv programming, casting, as an assistant to show runner Yvette Lee Bowser on Living Single and even moved to the east-coast to work at BET while continuing to pursue her dream of becoming a staff writer. She shares the importance of consistently creating content, remaining relevant in a constantly shifting industry, while continuing to network with people in your field. She also discusses the "no" season, where you must learn to handle rejection. Stacey describes this time as the best way to learn, prepare and to develop persistence in advance of your success season.

March 28, 2018. 26:11. Dancer, Choreographer, Founder of Dancing For His Glory Company and Studio, wife and homeschooling mother, Christine Psalms is a force of nature. Ironically, she almost missed out on becoming a dancer because her strict upbringing didn't condone it. She continued to express interest in dance, and eventually was allowed her to begin study. The rest is history. Early on, Christine envisioned a place where dancers could be developed technically and spiritually. Over ten years ago, she launched her dance studio, and has provided thousands of young dancers the same training she almost didn't receive. In 2018, Christine renovated a commercial space in Maryland, and gave her studio its first official home. Classes are filled to capacity. Hers is a story of what happens when we move forward, past obstacles, even when the pathway isn't crystal clear. She reveals her strategies for avoiding the comparison trap, and discusses why service to others critical to long-term success.

March 13, 2018 40:18 Gospel singer-songwriter and worship leader Vera Okoro was born in Washington, DC to Nigerian parents. As she is the fourth of seventh children. As a youngster, she always loved gospel music and sang in choirs, but was reluctant to perform as a soloist. Instead, her focus was on doing well in school and meeting the standards for excellence set by her parents. After dedicating her life to the Lord in an unforgettable church service, Okoro began to write songs and in 2013, released her first solo recording, "Make Your Way: Songs for the Journey." Vera talks candidly about how to begin a relationship with God, even if you're not sure that is possible. She reveals the importance of understanding the difference between your value and your performance.

March 14, 2018 29:11 When Millicent Scarlett Smith was in grade school in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada, her music teacher urged her mother to allow her to begin studying voice. This was a shocking recommendation since no one in her family knew she could sing. From that unlikely start Millicent went on to be crowned winner of the Metropolitan Opera Mid-Atlantic region competition, a National finalist in the same competition, and winner of the Luciano Pavoratti Voice competition. For a number of years, she's maintained a busy performing and teaching career working as Adjunct professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Millicent shares the importance of listening much and talking little. It's a strategy she has used over the years to learn quickly while avoiding pitfalls. She also speaks candidly about how small, seemingly insignificant behaviors can get the best and brightest singers placed on the "don't hire" list. She explains why having a beautiful voice simply isn't enough to sustain a career.

March 15, 2018 46:34 Broadway performer, classical singer, actress, wife and mother the multi-talented Andrea "AJ" Jones Sojola is a creative force of nature - equal parts keen thinker and humorous observer of life. In college, her sights were set on a career in musical theater, but her voice teacher encouraged her to study classical music in order to solidify her technique. Her training took her around the United States, but she ultimately landed in New York, performing in on and off-broadway shows, in films and in other live venues. A.J. speaks candidly about the power of detours to move us directly into the will of God for our lives - even when this means not getting the things we really want. She is convinced that detours land us in better places than we planned for. In August, A.J. concluded her run as a member of the cast of the off-broadway production of Carmen Jones alongside Tony Winner, Anika Noni Rose. Her Carnegie Hall debut was in the cast of Showboat and she appeared in the Tyler Perry film, For Colored Girls as well as in the TV mystery, Blacklist. A.J. talks candidly about the importance of being kind to everyone because the creative world is small and you tend to encounter the same people as your career progresses. She also stresses, "You have set your goals higher than where you are." Performing is a family affair in the Sojola household, both her young daughter and husband are working actors.

March 6, 2018 25:48 Classical singer, wife, and mother Jazmin Grollemund discusses the balancing act of managing career and family. Born and raised in the United States, Jazmin attended a performing arts school but when her parents relocated their family, she thought her dreams of performing in musical theater were over. Turns out it was just the beginning. By the time she entered college, she had made the transition from musical theatre to Opera. While attending a summer program in France before graduating college she met her future husband and a few years later, moved country, married and became a mother to her young son. Jazmin and her husband discussed her singing career from the start and his support allows her to travel, audition and perform regularly. In 2016, Jazmin joined D.I.V.A, a traveling operatic show that uses 5 female voices depicting life-sized dolls who come to life and sing famous operas in a ten-minute time frame. Wildly costumed, hilarious and clever, D.I.V.A. introduces opera to new and unexpected audiences. Since her time with the cast, they have performed over 200 shows throughout Europe including performances in London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Jazmin shares her thoughts on taking risks, pursuing your dreams and the importance of modeling a life of purpose for your children.

March 3, 2018 33.32 Metropolitan Opera singer, music professor, recording artist, world-traveler, wife and mother, Carmen Balthrop has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco, Houston Grand Opera, in major opera houses of Venice and Berlin. She's appeared in recital in venues from the White House, Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as the major venues of Italy, the Netherlands, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, Beijing and Shanghai, China and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Nassau,Bahamas. Her Deutche Grammophone recording of Treemonisha, was groundbreaking. In it, she recorded the title role of the first opera composed by an African American - Scott Joplin. The accomplished singer and teacher shares how listening to radio broadcasts of opera as a child had a profound impact on her desire to become a classical singer. She reveals important lessons and strategies that have served her through four decades of performing, traveling and teaching. Carmen also gives practical strategies for maintaining your voice, learning repertoire and the impact of self-care on longevity.