Page 68 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL5

ELITE MUSICmayor. That is very rewarding when it comes from your own city recognizing your contribution as well as your talent. I’ve also been featured in newspapers in Moscow and on television interviews in Vietnam. I always feel honoured and privileged when I received any type of award. It’s an amazing feeling to know that my craft is appreciated.Have you done any stage plays?I co-starred in the hit stage play Beauty Shop in 2009 to 2010 as “Starr”, the sister of the main character. The writer-director was Mr Shelly Garrett. This was a continuation of the original play, which began in 1989. It was very hectic performing abroad while trying to maintain stage dates in the US. Not to mention, this was my first acting job.When did you begin singing?I began singing at the young age of 6. I would perform mainly for family members at our family gatherings. It wasn’t until I was around 15 that I realized I could actually sing and move my audience. At that time, I began to perform for weddings, talent shows and school coronations. While living in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, I performed the national anthem for quite a few NBA games. As I had performed in as many venues as I could around North Carolina, I decided to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1994 and began singing with quite a few celebrities such as Gladys Knight, Usher, The Tempta- tions and may more. I was also a member of a well known R&B band called Fahrenheit for 12 years before becoming a solo performer. I made that decision in 2007 and haven’t looked back.66 Elite+