All of Me, No Regrets!
Whether it be Speaking, Singing, or diving into Voiceover (scroll down for some demos!) my passion: “All Things Vocal!” How about you?
The realization that I needed to keep music for my personal enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment, lead me to become an RN over 40 years ago! Nursing proved to be not only stable, but also an exciting, fulfilling process towards promoting my own personal growth. Many of us seriously need what I call “back-up activities” to allow ourselves the best chance at being successful in life. As an active member of National Speakers Association of Ohio, the ProTrack Training was epic, and fine-tuned a skill that for years, I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed! Thank you to all of my trainers! My professional speaking audiences have included Eaton Corporation, Progressive Insurance, Aetna, the IRS, DFAS, law firms, and private industries, speaking on topics such as Stress Management, Self-Care, Change Management, and more. Email me for info!
*Arts*
Mostly singing with a little bit of dance, community theater/costuming, TV commercials and training videos, and travel. How’d I manage all of that? We can talk!
While I definitely can’t sing any and every song, I can and have performed songs from almost all genres. World music and reggae, classic jazz, neo-soul, rock (including teaching vocals at School of Rock), R&B, and of course gospel, hymns, spirituals, and more “church music!”
My next show! Come if you’re in the area! Great buffet brunch, I’m working with stellar musicians, and the set list is intentionally inspirational…
*Look for my music, originals and covers, streaming: Beyond Category Music!
Blessed to briefly grace some iconic stages of Smalls, Smoke, the old Lennox Lounge, Village Vanguard… Even receiving accolades from Art Blakey’s saxophone player, Lou Donaldson! Gratitude! Then the time a friend took me to another impromptu workshop with phenomenal jazz elder Barry Harris, and I had to listen closely to the accompaniment, and sight-read his original music! Good thing I still could do a decent job of it! I’m glad I got to meet and experience his expertise, prior to his passing.
Earlier this year, upon the advice of my cousin, Voiceover pro Leilani Barrett, I started looking into Voiceover work. Let’s just say, as I feel my way along, this very well could be something that’s doable for me. VO Atlanta Conference did NOT disappoint! “All Things Vocal” sounds like a plan!
*Culture*
Commentary on Ifa Theology, Cosmology and Belief was invited to The Cleveland Playhouse!
The Cleveland Playhouse’s ongoing mission to provide education, includes what they call Digital Lobby Experiences prior to their shows. iPads were available for theater goers, with interviews of community leaders and experts, on topics relevant to the play that’s running. Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Pulitzer Prize-Winning play “Between Riverside and Crazy” was one of their feature presentations.
For this CPH production, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish perspectives on the topics of redemption and destiny, as well as my commentaries from the African Traditional Religion of Ifa, were shared. I’m honored to have been selected to give commentary on the theology, cosmology and belief, as taught to me by my elders here and in West Africa. The story line of the play focused on concepts of redemption, and destiny. Here are my commentaries.
*Wellness
“Rest Is the Retreat” Utuado, Puerto Rico
It’s been said that an appreciation for, and getting out in nature can help with mood, the aging process, rest, grounding, and more. Facilitating this retreat was a joy! We focused on self-care, not needing to be doing something constantly, and enjoying nature. Chill time!
Some Participant Feedback:
“Iya Babara is a sagacious vessel of knowledge. The information she provided during the Ellipsis Institute’s “Rest Is…The Retreat” challenged the way I approach self care as it related to the natural and supernatural. I will forever cherish my experiences of being in conversation and community with Iya as they have helped to shape, refine, and strengthen my own spiritual praxis.” –K. Smiley
“Working with Iya Barbara at the retreat was an incredibly grounding experience for me. Her trustworthiness and caring nature was evident as soon as we met. Through my work with Iya Barbara, I’ve deepened my connection with my own divine essence and ori. One aspect I truly value is how she guided me in cultivating a relationship with The Mothers and other divine feminine energies. Her genuine interest in the health and long-term well-being of black women within the community is evident in her dedication and approach. I wholeheartedly recommend Iya Barbara for anyone seeking a transformative and enriching journey towards self-discovery and spiritual growth.” -E. Phelps, PhD
(*The stories below are my stories, and my voice! No copying or duplicating either one, please!)
And yeah, school nursing is an experience all of it’s own! Kids can be funny!!!
Check out my book on Amazon! ‘Hood Medical: This Is Why I Sing https://a.co/d/069VRTmj
Signing one of my books at the Great Lakes African American Writers Conference (known as GLAAWC)
