Clairdee: vocalist, entertainer, educator, recording and touring artist

Extraordinary People Walter Dean Myers, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature “You take a black man who doesn’t have a job, but you say to him, ‘Look, you can make a difference in your child’s life, just by reading to him for 30 minutes a day.’ That’s what I would like to do.” Walter Dean Myers, 74, has been named the national ambassador for young people’s literature, a sort of poet laureate of the children’s book world who tours the country for two years, speaking at schools and libraries about reading and literacy. Mr. Myers' books chronicle the lives of many urban teenagers, especially young, poor African-Americans. As an African-American man who dropped out of high school but built a successful writing career — largely because of his lifelong devotion to books — Mr. Myers said his message will be drawn from his own experiences. Website NYTimes article Francisco Núñez, 2011 MacArthur Fellow, choral conductor, composer, founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City™ "Everybody has a voice and music is a way of teaching children that they are capable of doing great things." Francisco Núñez’s early years contributed to his passion for providing children with a path to fulfilling their life's potential. Growing up, he spent his time after school at home practicing piano. Through music, he met other children from different cultural and economic environments with the same musical interests. Learning from each other, music became the equalizer. As founder of the YPC, the choral group's diversity has created a vibrant new choral sound and an avenue for children to succeed. Video ~ ~ ~ ~
Books Jazz, Rock and Roll and the Revolution in Psychotherapy, by Frederick Gilbert, PhD How did the rise of Bebop and Rock and Roll presage the decline of "talk therapy?" Find out in this fascinating and enjoyable read, Jazz, Rock and Roll and the Revolution in Psychotherapy, written by and psychologist Frederick (Rick) Gilbert says, "This book is about cultural change during a time of tectonic shifts in American society from post-World War II to the end of the Vietnam conflict." It's also about Rick's own personal journey and includes photos, song lyrics, and interviews with noted therapists and musicians including Jon Hendricks, Vince Guaraldi, Earl ' Fatha' Hines, Cal Tjader, Sylvester, and Phil Lesh. Preview and Request a free copy! ~ ~ ~ ~
Remembering 9/11 911.org By annually organizing the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, 9/11 Day's hopeful mission is to provide a positive and forward-looking way for Americans and others to forever honor and remember the 9/11 victims, survivors, and the many that rose in service in response to the 9/11 tragedy, including first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, public safety officers and members of our military. Amina Figarova: September Suite Pianist/composer Amina Figarova's September Suite is not just a homage to the victims and those they left behind after the September 11th, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington DC. It is also a sensory analysis of the stages of grief everyone faces when dealing with a great human loss. Listen ~ ~ ~ ~