....sorta. ; )
I have to say, old friends are a true blessing. People that have known you since you were first becoming "you." They remind you of the things that have been there inside you all along, but that you just may not have fully realized until now.
I was talking to an old friend about this new epiphany in my life. About how much I love performing and bringing music and art into the world for people to enjoy, but that it has to be purposed. That for me, music and art are but mere tools for something greater - be it healing, education, empowerment, spiritual transformation, or just pure, unadulterated joy.
I said all of these things to him as if they were new messages from God, and you know what his response was? Well, silence at first which was KILLING me! I was expecting "oh, yes Kelley, so deep and magical." But instead came a big fat "DUH!!! Uh yeah, Kelley, that's kinda what you've been about since day one. Remember Kuumba? Bobby McFerrin? Soulfege? Leaving a space better than how you found it? Workshops with students around the world? Life changing trips to Africa working to dispel media misconceptions of the African diaspora? This is not new news. Sorry."
I laughed. What else could I do? The man summed up my entire artistic and musical odyssey thus far. He was absolutely right. The answers, the purpose, had been there all along. I just thank God now for showing me a clearer picture of it.
So I ask you to join me. Join me as I uncover and do my best to share the mysteries of this powerful tool we call music and art, and the ways in which it can be a vessel for transforming lives. You can do this in one of three ways (you know I'm all about action : ) :
1) I am one of the praise and worship leaders every Sunday at
Covenant Blessing Fellowship. Witness first hand how God uses music to usher his people into a place of reverence, with hearts and minds wide open to receive His life-changing message. For those in LA, praise and worship begins promptly at 9:30am. (And if you're not in LA, get to your local place of worship and get your praise on somewhere!)
2) Check out information about the new multi-media stage presentation I've co-created with my dear friend and collaborator, Ms. Shaunelle Curry.
SHATTERED GLASS takes its participants on a journey from victimization to victory using original poetry, music, dramatization, and artwork. We have begun the process of bringing this piece and its accompanying workshop to schools & community groups around the world. I'd love to hear from you about where we should bring this piece next!
3) See
SHATTERED GLASS live on Nov. 1st or Nov. 2nd in LA. For those that witnessed its first iteration 3 years ago, it has come a long way and we are excited about its progress. Come and see for yourself!
Thank you all for being a part of this adventure with me in some form or fashion thus far, let's continue to grow together.
Love,
Kelley Nicole
