Finding Beauty

Dr. Amanda Kemp is an activist, playwright, poet, actress, writer, and educator, but her underlying mission is no less than a plan to heal the world. A survivor of foster care and sexual abuse, this Stanford and Northwestern graduate seeks to create a "Tribe of the Heart" dedicated to unity that grows out of true authenticity. With her book Say the Wrong Thing and her performance troupes Theater for Transformation and Inspira as resources, she seeks to connect with people who are more interested in coalitions than conflict. Amanda's is the final interview in either season one of Finding Beauty, or the whole series. Either way, it's a fitting conclusion to what has been--at least for me--a very special experience.

Eva Thompson proves that some of the most remarkable people you will ever meet aren't famous. That said, my mother is well-known. Her dedication to others guarantees it. My mother comes by her lifelong association with church music honestly. My great-grandfather, Austin Richardson, planted five African Methodist Episcopal Churches in her homeland, Bermuda, and both of her parents were pillars of their respective churches. Also, her great-grandmother was an organist and pianist, and her mother graduated from the New England Conservatory. While I am grateful for my mother’s musical genes, I appreciate her mainly for her kindness, generosity, humility, and strength. The kind of woman detailed in Proverbs 31, she is a wonderful role model.

Robin Fay Massie is gentle and vulnerable, but oh-so strong and passionate. My “homeland sister” shares my Jamaican roots, but my affinity for Robin has much more to do with who she is than her ancestry. I met her playing in the Philadelphia-based Black Pearl Orchestra. She introduced herself with a smile that immediately let me know this was a person who radiated warmth and light. Later, via Facebook, I discovered that she was the driving force behind Musicians of Mercy, a collective of DC area performers who come together to raise money for charity. Facebook also gave me a window into how very busy this conservatory-trained violist is. Yet, she seems to always have time to lovingly respond to comments or create revealing, sensitive posts that speak directly to the heart.

Although Haley Simons was a constant presence in my youth, this interview was our first in-depth conversation. We were co-competitors in piano; when I saw her name among the entrants in a music festival class, I knew I’d have to bring my “A” game. When I read a recent article about the important work she is doing to ensure that creativity receives equal educational emphasis with reading and math, I decided to reach out to her on Facebook, and then to ask her to be a guest on my podcast. Our discussion was delightful, insightful, wide-ranging and warm, covering subjects from motherhood to pop music to the “soul-destroying” practice of turning music into a battleground. Haley is soft-spoken but extremely passionate, with a keen intelligence and steely determination. She is also funny and self-deprecating—just a really cool person, in general. She is very serious about her mission, however, because she truly believes that the arts and creativity in general are indispensable to human survival. Looking for anoth

Geoff Hicks has been likened to Nat King Cole. While the caliber of singing and piano playing is comparable, this is inaccurate, because Geoff’s sound is unique. For years a fixture in major Boston hotels, Dr. Hicks is not only a graduate of the New England Conservatory, but also of the Andover Newton Theological school, allowing him to minister to souls in both sermon and song. That said, most of his compositions are instrumental, and include the piano. It was after hearing some of his preludes that I decided to interview him (he has written twelve sets, as the fulfillment of a promise). His story is truly amazing, and includes time spent in Europe and Africa, along with brushes with such legendary figures as John F. Kennedy, Louis Armstrong, and Marian Anderson, to name three who have inspired him, in the way way that his dedication to using his gifts, which include spreading love and kindness, will inspire you.

When I asked Lin Ross for an interview, I knew him only as a brilliant poet who had said something very encouraging about my first adult attempt at the genre. I also knew he was a Prince fan, which sealed the deal. He turned out to be insightful, intense, and extremely intelligent, a combination that led to one of my longest, widest podcast conversations to date, perhaps because he flipped the script and started asking me questions, too. Since we both have definite opinions on everything from foreign films to YouTube fame, there was no shortage of material to cover. An aside: he has the best bio ever, and I had a lot of fun reading it. One of the reasons I wanted to talk to Lin is his signature phrase, “Snatch Joy.” I love the idea of not only choosing to be joyful, but actively, and even aggressively, making joy a part of our lives. What would happen if our efforts to be joyful were less passive, and more vigorous?

Alicia Thompson is an Atlanta-based pianist and educator whose students have included the children of elected officials and well-known rappers, professional basketball players, and the like. Her teaching philosophy is rooted first and foremost in caring for each student, an approach that has created lifelong bonds between her and many of the families who have come to know her. My conversation with this passionate musician and dedicated mother was both enlightening and surprising (did you know the link between Stevie Wonder and Chopin?), even though we grew up in the same house. And yes, I am the sibling in the title.

Philadelphia-based composer and multi-instrumentalist David Cohen is a cancer survivor who exemplifies the phrase “beauty for ashes.” While he never suffered from the disease himself, he watched his beloved wife, Tatyana, die of ovarian cancer, a process that nearly stripped him of his will to make music. While she was alive, he became an active advocate for patient-centered care, a role he continues today. After her death, he recorded a farewell to his life as a musician, which won an unprecedented award. In the end, David never gave up music; the passion was too great, and, as he notes, his wife would never have wanted that. Instead, he takes his guitar into hospitals, playing for and talking with “amazing people.” He also took his guitar to the U.K, where he set up a tour that included a stop at the famed Troubadour in London, launching pad for storied artists like his idol and inspiration, Joan Armatrading. I'm sure you'll find him as amazing as I do.

Dr. H. Leslie Adams has worked hard to stay “middle of the road.” Some of us—myself included—may prefer to passionately skew in one direction or the other, but Leslie’s efforts make him very happy, and he is so sure of his own inner compass that he truly doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. Leslie’s self-assurance is also reflected in his music, which deliberately chooses the lovely over the edgy, shunning outside influences. This doesn’t mean his pieces lack tension, however. One thing is certain: his style is unmistakable. I wanted to interview this internationally-acclaimed composer, whose works have been commissioned by the Cleveland Orchestra and performed by such eminent singers as Denyce Graves, because he exudes joie de vivre, and I sought to know his secret. His childhood can’t be replicated—it sounds like something out of a fairy tale—but his quest to express himself, on his terms, embracing all people equally, is both fascinating and, although his particular journey is decidedly unique, somet

Carl Ellenberger is a man of boundless curiosity and equal energy. A retired neurologist, he founded the Mount Gretna music festival, which is now a year-round series of diverse concerts featuring world-class musicians. Until very recently, Dr. Ellenberger made at least cameo appearances playing the flute, holding his own with performers whose life’s work is their instrument. His latest project is a book about the interactions between music and the brain; the ability beautifully is another skill he picked up as part of his neurology training. Despite all of his accomplishments, Carl remains humble. He may have doubts about whether or not he has made enough of a difference, but I don’t. I’m sure that anyone who has attended a concert at Mount Gretna agrees with me.

Chris Gees knows Oprah. Chris Gees knows Beyonce. And Chris Gees has seen some of the most celebrated women in the world at their most unadorned, without their makeup, and without their Spanx, often in their sumptuous homes. Yet, Chris continues to treat everyone he meets with equal respect and kindness. If the way he dealt with me during the process of creating his podcast is typical (and I suspect that it is), each person he works with comes away feeling important. When I decided to call my podcast “Finding Beauty,” I was talking mainly about inner beauty, or the kind of beauty we can find in life experiences. Still, I wondered how this top cosmetologist and hair stylist—who is also a singer, actor, and radio personality with a knowledge of costuming—would define the word. Without giving anything away, I must say that I loved Chris’s answer.

If Rita Smith-Wade-El is truly “like a shark,” as her son Ismail says, she swims through a world full of injustice and want, intent on destroying the poverty, injustice, and apathy that have been her prey since childhood. A discalced Carmelite nun, she is as devoted to her church as she is to the NAACP, women’s rights, and generally being an activist. I asked how she chooses which causes to support, and she answered that she doesn’t. In short, her mission is boundless. Although Rita is a long-time warrior against cancer, most recently in the form of a brain tumor, the vigor in her voice conveys her seemingly inexhaustible store of energy. We talked long after I wrapped the interview, and I suspect she could have kept going even longer. I was—and am—in awe of her. Rita’s definition of art is as expansive as her mission field. To her, art and culture are synonymous, which is why preserving and supporting the arts is of paramount importance. Our discussion swerved into a number of topics, and she approached e

How many of us can say we’ve done much more than prove the butterfly effect? There’s nothing wrong with being devoted to ordinary challenges, like raising healthy children, or becoming a functional (as opposed to dysfunctional) member of society. Still, it’s always inspiring to meet someone like Darryl Taylor, who truly embraces the challenge to make a difference. I came away from my conversation with Darryl impressed by sense of mission. He saw a void—the lack of resources about African American Art Song—and filled it with scholarship and performances, making sure to grant access to his body of work so others would avoid the obstacles he faced. Darryl’s work is important because marginalized people in particular get both underestimated and pigeonholed. As he noted, it’s difficult to gain any recognition if your work is only performed in February. A consummate artist who is also both playful and warm, Darryl is the kind of person who will give you the shirt off his back—or at least, the tie from his neck (I’

Patricia Thompson's articles have been published by Forbes, TIME, and a host of other prominent media outlets. The thing that sticks with me about my conversation with this accomplished psychologist and consultant, who lists major corporations among her clients (and is also one of the most together people I’ve ever met), is her willingness to try new things without getting too caught up in the outcomes. When I asked about her efforts to build her profile, she mentioned that she realizes she has no idea what will work and what won’t, so she gives her best effort and lets the chips fall where they may, without investing too heavily in the outcome. This is a great recipe for avoiding discouragement, and isn’t discouragement the enemy of progress? It is if it’s allowed to dominate. Patricia Thompson wants others to succeed and be happy—or, more accurately, be happy and succeed. Since moods are contagious, her strategies can create a sense of well-being not only within a workplace, but also within a family, o

Do artists have a responsibility to society? Kevin Wood thinks so. An educator and author with experience in all aspects of classical music, from the stage to recording companies to managing orchestras, Kevin has strong, informed opinions that may surprise you. Perhaps it isn’t surprising that Kevin cares so deeply about the people around him, since his first aspiration was to be a collaborative—not solo—pianist. Playing songs with words in something other than English spurred an interest in other languages, which led him to other opportunities. Along the way, he learned to shun xenophobia and embrace the power of art. Love philosophy? Have I got an interview for you!

Peter Black is a London-based virtuoso guitarist/composer, seeker, and amateur philosopher who is equally at home playing classical, Latin, flamenco, jazz and the blues . His corporate clients include 20th Century Fox, Google, Bvlgari Jewels, Audi, General Motors, Sainsbury, United Coffee, 3-mobile, Fiat and many more. He has performed for celebrities such as Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, as well as appearing all over the UK in venues such as the Ritz, Claridges, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Ronnie Scott’s, Fulham Palace, and Kensington Palace. He also works internationally, with performances in France, Monaco, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Morocco, Dubai and Qatar. Join me as I probe the mind of this intriguing, engaging artist.

For Jeanne Krausman, music is a “mitzvah.” Every day, she wakes up determined, responding to a call that is changing her in ways she doesn’t quite understand. And yet, she is certain of one thing: as long as she feels this way, her life will continue. For an anxiety-prone woman of 92, this sort of certainty is precious. Jeanne fell in love with the piano as a young girl, but didn’t perform her first public recital (for friends and family) until she was in her 60’s. In her 70’s, she learned two virtuoso works, Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata and Schumann’s Carnaval, performing both from memory and, for the most part, at tempo. She has continued to perform, despite failing eyesight, arthritis, and issues of mobility. She sums it up this way: “I can’t stop.” Although striving to unlock the mysteries of such masterpieces as the last movement of the Schumann Fantasy—the piece that drew her back to the instrument two years ago and resulted in her special friendship with the famous pianist who is now her teacher—

With a broad nose, full lips, and brown skin, Ruby Taylor always knew she was beautiful, but she soon realized that the world didn’t necessarily agree. Watching her niece struggle with the idea of being created in God’s image spurred this former social worker to write her first book. Ruby further bolstered her niece’s self-image by commissioning artist Shanequa Gay to paint her. When Ruby saw the painting’s uplifting effects, she commissioned a series of similar portraits for other girls, then made a documentary so that young women of color she couldn’t afford to immortalize on canvas could see their skin, hair, and features reflected and affirmed in a film. Then she organized an event, named after one of her favorite historical figures, Augusta Savage, a pioneering African American sculptor and art educator, to screen the film and pamper the audience. It’s worthy of mention that Ruby had a major car accident in 2014, which left her with a brain injury that makes getting through each day an exhausting challe

In her acclaimed debut novel, Lilli de Jong, Janet Benton seeks to “crack open” the hearts of those who devalue and dismiss the arduous job of motherhood. Although the tale is set in the 19th century, the struggle to find affordable childcare, especially among single mothers, still hits a bit too close to home. Despite the odds against single mothers raising healthy babies, Lilli remains determined, which isn’t surprising, given the background of her creator, the daughter of an ardent feminist, who began her career as an intern at Ms. Magazine. Janet has taught at several colleges, worked as an editor, and established The Word Studio, a haven for aspiring novelists who are wise enough to absorb her encyclopedic knowledge of craft. As an author, her star is rising, however, it was her passion for the cause of motherhood that led me to seek her out as a guest on Finding Beauty.

The first guinea pig for _Finding Beauty _needed to come from somewhere, so I looked in my backyard, or rather, down the hallway upstairs, and asked my daughter, very nicely, if she wouldn’t mind helping me out. Our conversation turned out to be brief, but revealing. We have an excellent relationship, but there are things I never would have asked about her thoughts on music and life if not for the more formal setting an interview creates, and her answers demonstrated her depth in ways that weren’t shocking, but still managed to surprise me. If I had to choose one thing she said to reflect on, it would be her definition of beauty. Kiana told me that when she writes songs, she isn’t focused on loveliness, but rather, vulnerability and honesty. I love that idea, because if we were all truly vulnerable and honest, the resulting authenticity would be something truly beautiful. The catch is that we’d all have to do it, because in the current climate, vulnerability and honesty are often met with violence, whether