We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanisha Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Vanisha, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When words fail, music speaks
Hans Christian Andersen
Many of you have heard this quote, articulated on mugs, key chains and internet images. I think everyone has a song they gravitate to because it reminds them of a moment in time and how it emotionally affected them. An initial reaction is our gut feeling, with nowhere to go than populate in our emotions. These can be agonizing at times, leaving one is despair, in the depths of hopelessness, fear and anxiety.
I have needed music to help myself cope with my own anxious emotions since as long as I can remember. Music gives me someone to talk to, as well as validating my own insecurities and fears while deciphering the turbulence of love. As I learned to speak, sing and eventually, play many instruments, I found a voice for what I couldn’t speak or verbalize. I just don’t know what to say most of the time, or I let fear refrain me from saying it out loud, especially for others to hear and judge. Instead, I go mute when my body responds to unnerved PTSD symptoms. The initial agony, despair and heartfelt pain is so crushing. Music became the only thing that could help me remember to breathe, live and carry on.
A great song can help me cope with a wide range of emotions like depression and grief, to celebration of life, joy and enthusiastic happiness. Lyrics give me words and validation when my emotions become voiceless. I can’t even imagine caring for everyday tasks without the hum of music in the background to help push and motivate me. And frankly, why would I? While acknowledging my own emotions in song, and now, speaking it through my voice and instruments, I have learned to help heal my own vibrations while sharing the music with others.
My musical education laid the foundation for my successful career as a musician and educator. I earned a degree in music performance (clarinet) and teaching credential, with advanced curriculum studies. I have had the privilege of performing around the world, including performances with the Rome Festival Orchestra and Opera, as well as participation in prestigious events like the Claremont Clarinet Festival. I am committed to nurturing young musicians, and have dedicated my career to music education and performing. From teaching in public schools to managing youth orchestras and establishing a non-profit youth band, I strive to empower aspiring musicians to realize their full potential.
As a certified moonologer, I practice meditation regularly, and use the moon phases as a guide to live purposefully. I am using this phase of my life journey to share my unique, healing talents with music and the power of the moon and mindfulness to benefit humans around the world. I enjoy the healing vibrations of music and find learning to play my favorite songs by ear on the piano helps me understand it in a profound way and communicate effectively to my audience.
I’ve spent the last five years writing by ear musical charts for many of my favorite songs that have helped me throughout my life. Through this process with hundreds of songs to show for it, I have become very accomplished on my instruments, so now I am gaining the confidence to share my musical voice performing to the world. With an ultimatum from the Universe and positive nudges like you reading my story in this publication, I can finally imagine my potential.
About four years ago, I ventured out of playing to an empty room, to going online using Facebook live to “get my willies out” and just play as a soloist in front of an audience. This led to entering a local talent show “Lakewood’s Rising Stars” and winning 2nd place, garnering another push from the Universe to pursue this aspiration. A year later, I attended a live broadcast with Sacred Voices, in Denver, Colorado to sing my first original song “Butterfly” live and premiere the video. There, I met a poet who invited me to perform regularly as a pianist and vocalist in his improv band at the legendary Mercury Café in Denver. A few months later, I was rehearsing as the lead vocalist with a Funk band. I could not believe I was finally living my potential and exploring my voice that I desperately tried to hide and diminish all these years. The music also led me to my musical partner, and we formed our current group, 2Ps in a Band. (Why 2Ps? Piano & Percussion) I am finally using those hundreds of charts, singing and playing my primary instruments on a daily basis. I am also sharing all I know about music, especially simplifying the study in hopes of inspiring a new generation of musicians and music lovers to gain every benefit of learning and loving to practice music. I am in the pursuit to make my musical dreams a paid reality, of performing regularly around the world as my primary occupation. So in case you are, the reader, or know of someone in need of a dynamic duo or full piece ensemble, please contact me for bookings and check out my music on YouTube @VanishaEvans
My most accomplished, unrehearsed, unconscious lesson I have made is of me being a role model for my own children. They have seen me dig myself out of a deep hole of depression and divorce to pursue my talents and goals. My boys are my biggest fans, attending every rehearsal, concert, open jam or any opportunity that may lead to a paid gig. They have supported me trying to practice while single mothering and running on empty. They watched my first win on a stage and saw it develop to more exposure. They’ve witnessed my doubts and fears and seen me transform it into a dynamic performance on stage in front of others who actually want to hear me sing. My dreams solidified and the journey witnessed by them serves as a testament to the profound impact music education has had on my life and the pursuit of artistic excellence. I know I will finally be at peace when I have composed the life of a performing creative career, and inspire my boys to create their own artistry for their lives too.
#glowupgate #mindfulmusic #mooology #vanishaevans #2PsinaBand #tinyfunkmusic
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a self taught musician and the first generation to go to college on a scholarship and earn a degree in music performance. My career has serviced students, leadership and empowerment, and has included teaching music in public schools, managing youth orchestras, and establishing a non-profit youth band for aspiring young musicians.
Becoming a certified moonologer and meditating has helped me stay grounded and live cyclically. The world can easily distracts me from my path with discouragement and disappointment, so having a dedicated practice at pivot stages of the moon helps me stay motivated and focused.
I achieved a majority of my studies at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. There I completed all my coursework for my Master’s in Education, in Advanced Curriculum Studies, a Single Subject Credential in Music, and a Level 1 certificate with the Kodály Method for Music Education. I also earned and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. I hold an alternative teaching license in Music for the state of Colorado. I have studied clarinet in the bay area with professional clarinetist Rudolf Tapiro, past principal clarinetist of the Oakland Symphony and with Larry London of the Oakland Ballet. In Italy, I studied with clarinetist Carmello Mobilia in Florence at the Il Trillo Music School.
I am originally from Seaside, California and specialize in neo-soul music, especially my all-time favorite artists, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder & Elton John. I perform a wide-range of music from Mozart to Motown as a singer, pianist and clarinetist.
I have also performed as a clarinetist with the Rome Festival Orchestra and Opera and was one of twelve musicians from around the world selected to perform for the 2006 Claremont Clarinet Festival.
I am an accomplished musician, music education specialist, and certified moonologer. My primary instruments are voice, piano, clarinet and ukulele. I am also adept at playing the flute, violin, viola, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and bass clarinet.
I have been playing music for nearly 40 years and have over 25 years experience in music education as a teacher and arts administrator. During this phase of my life journey, I am gaining the confidence to share my musical voice performing to the world. With the power of the moon and mindfulness, I aim to solidify that music is a supreme benefit to all humans around the world.
I enjoy the healing vibrations of music and find learning to play my favorite songs by ear helps me understand music in a profound way. This inspires me to communicate effectively to my audience, while gaining a deeper appreciation and knowledge about my own emotions through song.
I’d like to be able to provide for my boys by having a working music performing career and inspire them to pursue their own aspirations at any stage of their life. I also provide personal moonology readings to give people insight abut their own selves, career tactics and motivations.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved to Loveland from Littleton last summer, and am still getting acclimated to the town. I would hope I was performing at a venue during their visit, so they could enjoy me in concert. For a day in Loveland, I would take them for coffee and breakfast at Feel Love coffee in downtown Loveland or First Watch for waffles and a bloody mary. Then take a walk at the Benson Sculpture Gardens. We’d hang out at Sweet Heart Winery and enjoy the peace sitting by the river and enjoying conversation. We could also have cocktails at Sage Speakeasy and Lounge and go across the street for live music at Black and Brews. Finally, we’d have a late, leisurely dinner at Henry’s Pub and enjoy some more live music.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My two boys, Dillon (age 10) and Preston (age 7)
My late clarinet teacher, Rudolf Tapiro, Principal Clarinetist with the Oakland Symphony
My favorite musical artists of all time including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Sarah Brightman, Sade and Elton John
My grandparents Nipa and Larry Taylor who helped raise me and visit me during my college studies.
Website: https://linktr.ee/vanishaevans
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanishaevans/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanishaevans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanishaEvans11
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanishaEvans
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VanishaEvans
Other: ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/vanishaevans