Wabash SYT - Musician in Topeka KS

ABOUT

Current Performance Experience/Bio:

I am an experienced, diverse female vocalist who sings in two, local Topeka, KS bands and leads worship in a large Topeka, KS church (Topeka Bible Church--"TBC"). I am a mezzo soprano and have much experience playing various percussive instruments (hand drums, tambourine, wood block, cowbell, vibraslap, cabasa, shakers, etc.), as well as, simple keyboard/piano. The range and tone of my voice would be similar to that of Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan (a mid-range, smoky-colored voice). I can sing most soprano-ranged songs, but my range allows me to also sing male-driven, tenor-ranged selections--and I enjoy the variety.

Currently, I sing lead, play percussion, and manage/handle bookings for the band, "Duo Du Jour Band," founded in Topeka, KS. (Check us out at:
https://www.facebook.com/DuoDuJourBand). I also sing co-lead and play percussion in the new, acoustic duo, “Native Moon Band,” (also found on FB @ its namesake), which started in Kansas City but now also hails from Topeka, KS. Both of my bands play many venues and events. One band has over 12-hrs. of playable music (180+ songs) from several varying genres in its repertoire. My newer band has 3-4 hrs. of music. My bands play mostly in Kansas~in the Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan and Topeka areas. We are seeking additional performance opportunities in small music venues, upscale lounges/bars, restaurants, coffeehouses, wineries, breweries, art festivals, local events, private events/parties, charity events, and the like. Our set lists includes songs from the following genres (used where appropriate): Easy Listening, R&B/Soul, Classic Rock, Country, Blues, Smooth Jazz, Alt-Rock, Pop, and Jazz/Lounge standards. I enjoy singing a wide gamut of styles and genres, and appreciate that entertaining patrons with a diverse array of music is a must. My bands are more than happy to allow clients to personally tailor our play list from our master set list to best fit client’s needs/desires.

I am also personally available and open to negotiable hire for studio work and side-gigs, and enjoy the collaboration. I will gladly send a demo, more information, or meet with serious prospects in a safe and neutral locale.

I have led worship regularly in my Topeka church of over 2,500 attendees for 21-years now. For two or more Sundays a month, I lead the singing, prayer, and worship for several weekly services and sing solos, as well. My church worship band team consists largely of other professional musicians who play in secular bands. So my experiences there are additionally diverse and creative.

I have had the great experience of working on two studio projects with Kansas Musicians Hall of Fame 2013 inductee, Kerry Livgren (founder and original member of the 70's rock band, "Kansas"). Demo #3 below is one of those projects. I have also had the great privilege of working on a new studio venture with Kerry which is not completed yet.

There are 11 demos below from studio projects with my prior bands, as well as, covers I have performed recently. Three of the demos are actually shortened versions of the original tunes.

The photos here are all from 2012 to present. I have included photos from my role as Worship Leader at Topeka Bible Church, as well as, various photos from my prior band's studio projects and gigs. Numerous additional current band photos can be viewed at both of my bands’ Facebook pages.

You will also find several URL's of public YouTube videos of me performing with one of my current band-mates and our prior full-band. These videos were all shot in summer of 2014. There are also two URL's of unlisted/private YouTube videos of myself leading worship in my church. None are professional-quality--they are just iPhone videos of me with my duo, my trio, my former band, leading worship, and singing a duet at my church. My church recently began recording our entire services with the music/worship service time included. For higher quality videos of my more recent worship leading, go to:
http://www.discovertbc.com/sundayservices/. [For 2014 services, click on: Jan. 26, Mar. 2, Mar. 16, Mar. 23, Apr. 20, Apr. 27, May 18, May 25, June 1, July 20, Aug. 17, Oct. 5, Oct. 26, Nov. 9, & Dec.14 (closing song only online for Dec. 14, 2014). For 2015 services, click on: Jan.4, Feb. 1, Feb. 22, Mar. 15, Apr. 5 (I sang the only solo in our Choir's Easter Cantata), & Apr. 19]. Those are the Sundays on which I have led worship that have been recorded and placed on the internet thus far--not the only Sundays I have led. Very recently in August 2014, my growing church opened a brand new sanctuary to be utilized along with the old sanctuary. Both sanctuaries now have live worship bands, so my worship-leading will be increasing even more. However, only one of those two services is placed on the internet weekly based on which building our Pastor is preaching (the other building has live streaming of the sermon). I look so forward to the challenges that coordinating and working with two bands in two buildings will bring, as well as creating music with so many new and diversely gifted musicians. You can also check out our first concert on the church website under, "Special Events," for Sept. 21, 2014 entitled, "Psalm 150 Night of Worship," in which I recently led worship and performed. [Other dates in which I sang under, "Special Events" on our church's website: Apr. 3, 2015 Good Friday Service & many more]. Many videos (& more recent ones) can be found on both my bands’ FB pages.

Prior Performance History/Bio:

Besides extensive vocal experiences from ages 9-18 years (church solos, leads in musicals, show choirs, two-time State Choir member, and the like), I toured Europe with the KSU Concert Choir, performing concerts in two countries there (Germany and The Netherlands). I have solo sung the National Anthem at Kauffman Stadium twice, performed a solo Contemporary Christian Concert at the KS State Fair (on the, "Farm Bureau Arena" stage), and have sung professionally for weddings and funerals for many years. I also have much experience performing at ministry events (including prison ministry), local art events, First Friday events, private events, and in various music venues, lounges, bars, breweries, hotels, & wineries in the Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City areas. The bulk of my music experience comes from worship leading and solo-singing in churches for over 20-years and in lead-singing and performing in bands for the last 10-years. In Dec. 2011 and 2012, (& for several years since), I was one of three vocalists in my church's, "Live Music Christmas Light Show," in which over 7,000 people attend. I was one of two vocalists for the 2013 show, and parts of this show will be viewable on YouTube, as in previous years.

I also consider myself a, "closet songwriter," and have performed two of my original tunes publically. I am hopeful to perform more originals in the future.