During this time my mother took me to see gospel singer, Patty La Belle in “Arms too short to box with God”. I nearly jumped out of my skin from excitement while hearing the vocal fireworks on stage. After the show I brought Ms. La Belle a rose and she took me up on her lap. Her curled, medusa braids, tendril nails and ‘mother of all’ presence awed me. There were other performers in the room paying compliments and keeping court. But the chatter stopped when Ms. La Belle asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I answered, “ I want to be you.” Laughter filled the room. She hugged me and said smiling, “That might be a little difficult. But go on, baby.” I wanted more.

Luckily, I got more.

I started performing in children’s theater at 9 and cleaning houses in exchange for singing lessons by 11. At 12 I won a scholarship to study at a music program at U.C. Berkeley for gifted kids, which introduced me to classical music. By 18 I had toured Germany with a professional vocal ensemble and recorded backing vocals on 3 CD’s released through Island Records. And by 21 I had lived in Italy, studied at two conservatories and graduated with honors with a degree in music from Mills College. Throughout my studies I worked full-time as a singing waitress. After graduation I continued waiting tables, taught music at five public schools, ran a children’s entertainment business, and performed with local opera companies for little or no pay.

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