Podcast appearances and mentions of monica ellis

Hello-Hello My Marvelous Mom, Join me, Misty Hughes, this week in this enriching episode as I chat with Monica Ellis, an inspirational Christian Mom navigating the complexities of Balancing Motherhood, wife-life, loving Jesus well, and "ALL-THE-THINGS." In today's discussion, we delve into the profound ways Faith and Family interplay in Monica's life. Learn practical Mom Life Tips and hear firsthand some wise parenting advice from Monica's transition from Single Mom to Marriage. If you're one of those Young Moms striving to find a balance, this conversation is a goldmine of insights. Monica shares candidly about her Motherhood Journey and the Parenting Challenges she faces. We talk about Intentional Parenting and how to foster Resilient Kids amidst life's chaos. Also, discover some unique mom hacks that Monica uses to keep her family on track. From her morning journaling as a Mom Routine to managing family dynamics and achieving a Sustainable Work-Life Balance, this episode is packed with wisdom for every Christian Parenting enthusiast. Whether you're raising boys or looking for tips on self-care amidst newborn care, you'll find valuable takeaways here. Listen in to explore how time with God help shape Marriage and Family in Monica's life, and find out how you too can thrive amidst all these roles.   CONNECT WITH MISTY  Mom2MomMentoring.com

Consider It Blacklit host Kim Singleton sits down with Monica Ellis, founding member of the wind quintet Imani Winds. Ellis discusses the performances and accomplishments of the group, as well as the representation of people of color in classical music.

Host Kim Singleton sits down with Monica Ellis, founding member of the wind quintet Imani Winds.  Ellis discusses the performances and accomplishments of the group, as well as the representation of people of color in classical music.  www.imaniwinds.comStay connect to Consider It BlacklitInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/consider_it_blacklit/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ConsiderItBlacklitX(Twitter)https://twitter.com/WeAreBlacklit

For people with breast cancer, the time spent receiving treatment, coordinating care, and traveling to doctor's appointments can be overwhelming. These burdens can take away from the patients' valuable time, adding to the stress and anxiety of a diagnosis. On today's show, I will be talking with Dr. Julie Nangia Medical Director, Breast Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine and Monica, a breast cancer survivor. After that, I will have radio and television personality and founder of Kidz Table, Inc. Lynette Burton.

Dr. Julie Nangia, Medical Director of Breast Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine, and Monica Ellis, a breast cancer survivor, talks about choosing your treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. Julie Nangia, Medical Director of Breast Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine, and Monica Ellis, a breast cancer survivor, talks about choosing your treatment of breast cancer.

in this week's episode, we chat with THEE Monica Ellis, Bassoonist and Executive Director of THEE Grammy Nominated Imani Winds. We talk trust, the importance of location, and how Imani Winds has become the iconic ensemble that it is now.More on Imani Winds and Monica at imaniwinds.com

This weekend (November 6th), the Grammy-nominated group Imani Winds plays a concert at First United Methodist Church in Ashland. Monica Ellis, bassoonist for the group, visits with oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz and Anima Mundi Executive Director Ethan Gans-Morse.

More than ever, organizations are recognizing sustainable practices as a business imperative. On this episode of Sustainably Speaking, hear about the Sustainability Leadership Award winners who are making groundbreaking innovations in circularity, education and sustainable investment. Monica Ellis, the CEO and founder of the Global Environmental Technology Foundation, and Rob Westervelt, editor-in-chief of Chemical Week, served as two of the judges for ACC's Sustainability Leadership Awards. They join Mia Quinn to tell us about a few of the award winners and trends, including the creation of a first-of-its-kind graduate program at a major national university. Monica Ellis, CEO and Founder, Global Environmental Technology FoundationMonica Ellis is Chief Executive Officer and a founding member of the Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF). A sustainable development leader, Monica has worked throughout the world on a range of natural resource and economic development issues, focusing particularly on clean water, climate, technology, health and economic empowerment issues. She specializes in developing high impact partnerships with leading companies, government agencies, civil societies and philanthropists that result in resilient communities. Her passion centers on working with vulnerable communities assisting their efforts to gain clean water, sanitation and ultimately, economic opportunity.As an advocate of innovation, she has also helped launch several successful companies and platforms in the environmental technology, information technology and communications sectors. She is a member/advisor to several boards, including GETF, Water For People, the Johns Hopkins University Global Water Advisory Board, US Water Partnership, the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan, the Global Water Institute at the Ohio State University and Ketos. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri and a proud recipient of American University's William K. Reilly Award for Environmental Leadership.Monica also serves as CEO of Global Water Challenge (GWC), an action-oriented coalition of corporations, NGOs and other organizations committed to achieving universal access to clean water and sanitation.  Under her leadership, GETF and GWC have mobilized over $350 million for clean water access and community development efforts that today benefits over 8 million people in Africa, Central and Latin America and India.Rob Westervelt, Editor-inChief, Chemical WeekRob Westervelt is editor-in-chief of Chemical Week, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights. Rob has covered the global chemical industry for more than 25 years. He was named editor of Chemical Week in December 2006. His team is responsible for coverage and analysis of news and trends affecting the global chemical industry. Before being named editor-in-chief, he was senior editor, responsible for news and markets coverage of the Americas. Mia Quinn, Senior Director, Public Affairs at American Chemistry CouncilMia Quinn leads efforts to communicate the plastics industry's major sustainability initiatives. She works to bring together experts to share insights in key areas of sustainability, including public policy, product design, recycling and infrastructure.She is passionate about collaboration, clear communications and engaging audiences to learn more about and advocate for innovation and modern solutions for our communities and our country.Mia has a degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis. She grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and is a lifelong Denver Broncos fan. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two sons.

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Global Environment & Technology Foundation's CEO and founding member Monica Ellis to discuss today's most pressing challenges to global water security. Monica emphasizes water as a foundational issue that intersects with other development challenges such as climate change, COVID-19, women's empowerment, and conflict – including Afghanistan and Ukraine. The two also consider the need for heightened investment and the role of the private sector in advancing the water agenda. 

TEM254: Monica Ellis of Imani Winds Monica Ellis has been the bassoon player for Imani Winds since founding it 25 years ago and is a creative force in the musical world. Head over to tem.fm for the TEM254 Show Notes including a list of topics covered in this episode as well as links to all references mentioned. ----- Do you ever jump from project to project and rarely seem to finish anything? Let TEM Coaching design you a personalized plan to help give you clarity on which things to work on and which to put on hold. I promise you will leave our session knowing exactly what your next move should be. Visit temcoaching.com to take control of your career today. ----- Want to help the show? Here's a couple of ways you can do that! 1. Want to access exclusive bonus coverage while helping to make more TEM episodes possible? Join the TEM Patreon family or support the show via a one-time Venmo payment: https://www.tem.fm/support 2. My next Apple Podcasts goal is 200 ratings and 75 reviews. Take just a minute to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help me get there. Thank you! 3. Subscribe to the TEM YouTube channel! And finally, a huge thank you to Parker Mouthpieces for providing the hosting for TEM. Produced by Andrew Hitz Show notes for all episodes of TEM including topics discussed, links to all books and websites referenced can be found at: http://www.tem.fm/shownotes

Monica Ellis is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and one of the founding members of the GRAMMY nominated, Imani Winds. She joins us to talk about Imani Winds, chamber ensembles in general, and her scholastic musical journey.

Monica Ellis from Imani Winds joins the Soundweavers team to chat about their ensemble's origin and the gradual development of their mission over their first several years. She shared about Imani's really interesting experience with having "in-house" composers in the ensemble. We chat about the evolution of their recording process and how they have sought out new ensemble members. And, we speak about the ensemble's new gig as faculty members at the Curtis Institute of Music. Celebrating over two decades of music making, the Grammy nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The ensemble's playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and as a 21st century group, Imani Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live. Present and future season performances include a Jessie Montgomery composition inspired by her great-grandfather's migration from the American south to the north, as well as socially conscious music by Andy Akiho, designed to be performed both on the concert stage and in front of immigrant detention centers throughout the country. Imani Winds regularly performs in prominent international concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Hall and the Kimmel Center. Their touring schedule has taken them throughout the Asian continent, Brazil, Australia, England, New Zealand and across Europe. Their national and international presence include performances at chamber music series in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia and Houston. Festival performances include Chamber Music Northwest, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Ravinia Festival, Chautauqua, Banff Centre and Angel Fire. Imani Winds' travels through the jazz world are highlighted by their association with saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, woodwind artist and composer Paquito D'Rivera and pianist and composer Jason Moran. Their ambitious project, "Josephine Baker: A Life of Le Jazz Hot!" featured chanteuse René Marie in performances that brought the house down in New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles and St. Louis. In 2016, Imani Winds received their greatest accolade in their 20 years of music making: a permanent presence in the classical music section of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. The transcript for this episode can be found here. For more information about Imani Winds, please visit their website, Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Our guest for this episode is Claremont's own  Dr. Monica Blied, the co-author of 12 journal articles, 4 book chapters, and over 60 conference presentations, and is an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University.  She serves the public through her work on the Medical Advisory Board for Lupus LA (as a Lupus Warrior) and the California Psychological Association. As a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in the testing and assessment of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Autism.   Additionally, and unlikely in equal measure, she is a mother of 3, the founder of Faces of Health Wellness Center, providing integrative care to adults with chronic medical illnesses, and she also teaches Chair Yoga. In this interview, Dr. Blied recounts the path to her many achievements, the personal drivers behind her passion for helping teens and adults - especially women - who may have had ADHD or Autism all their lives, yet it went undiagnosed for a variety of reasons.  She offers insight and recommendations on living with Lupus, keeping one's faith in the face mounting challenges, and her perspectives in turning what others look at as handicaps into superpowers,Dr. Blied's likeable and humorous demeanor combined with her uplifting and inspiring accounts of some of her greatest successes will give your day a boost and, we hope, encourage some to get the help they genuinely need - a great listen either way.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact Information:Direct : 909-741-2849email: drblied@drblied.com Private Practice info: www.drblied.comADHD Evaluations: www.drblied.com/adhdwww.linktr.ee/drbliedFor appointments  www.drblied.com/schedule-appointment/ 

On this episode of Spoleto Backstage, we continue our series spotlighting the First Viennese School composers with three of Ludwig van Beethoven's works, one from each of the stylistic periods in which his works are often categorized. We're also joined by bassoonist Monica Ellis, founding member of the quintet Imani Winds, to chat about performing in one of these pieces as well as Alicia Hall and Jason Moran's "Two Wings: The Music of Black America in Migration" at this year's Spoleto Festival USA.

The Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet is on a journey to create more recordings of music by women and composers of color, with the project, "Uncovered" being the latest installment. Abi Fayette joins Garrett to talk about the unique role that summer music festivals played in her development, her life as the newest member of the Catalyst Quartet, and how "Uncovered" has played a pivotal role in her own understanding of the importance of showcasing music by marginalized composers. Garrett and Scott continue their year-round celebration of women in music with performances by Monica Ellis, the Women's Philharmonic, Nina Simone, and others, and the guys address the recent misstep by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. This opus of TRILLOQUY is made possible, in part, by unClassified.com. Playlist: Cardi B - "Money Bag" Florence Price - Symphony No. 3, "Juba" Jennifer Higdon - "Dark Wood" Bobby Shmurda - "Hot N*gga" Valerie Coleman - "Portraits of Josephine Baker - Paris": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM14alJoqq8 Antonio Vivaldi - Bassoon Concert in e minor, mov. II perf. Monica Ellis/Jed Moss - "Elegy for Innocence" perf. Armenta Hummings Dumisani - "The Cuckoo": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqEMimeTOz0 Errollyn Wallen - Concerto Grosso arr. Nina Simone - "My Way" Nina Simone - "Don't Smoke in Bed" Arvo Pärt - "Spiegel im spiegel" Jessie Montgomery - "Smoke" More: Catalyst String Quartet: https://catalystquartet.com Uncovered: https://catalystquartet.com/uncovered Armenta Adams (Hummings) Dumisani: https://gatewaysmusicfestival.org/founder/ Downbeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99V0mMNf5fo Vienna Philharmonic Releases Statement Regarding Metropolitan Opera Orchestra: https://operawire.com/vienna-philharmonic-releases-statement-regarding-metropolitan-opera-orchestra/ In wake of Tiger Woods’ accident come host of new questions about his future: https://golf.com/news/tiger-woods-accident-new-questions-about-future/ Bobby Shmurda is Free: https://www.revolt.tv/news/2021/2/23/22296356/bobby-shmurda-released-prison Josephine Baker’s Banana Skirt: https://www.vogue.com/article/josephine-baker-90th-anniversary-banana-skirt Oberlin issues apology after Black History Month performance flier highlighted only white performers: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/03/oberlin-issues-apology-after-black-history-month-performance-flier-highlighted-only-white-performers.html

Dr. Monica Ellis-Blied is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in whole-health interventions and in neurocognitive assessment. The assessments and testing she provides will help you to identify and learn how to better manage ADHD, Learning Disorders, and psychiatric conditions, as well as secure accommodations for work, school, or high stakes testing. She is also a certified Chair Yoga instructor, heart rate variability biofeedback provider, and Life Coach. Dr,”. Blied earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology, where she also gained specialty training in the integration of faith and spirituality with psychological practice and research. She earned a master’s degree in Christian Leadership to complement her work helping people who are living with chronic illnesses, to make sense of their suffering and reclaim purpose in their lives.     In her private practice - Faces of Health Wellness Center in Claremont, California - Dr. Blied specializes in helping individuals living with chronic medical illnesses and disabilities. Her clients include people living with fibromyalgia, lupus, HIV, diabetes,  traumatic brain injury, ADHD and other neurodiversity, MS, and other chronic health conditions that are impacting your relationships, your joy or peace of mind, your work or school, or getting in the way of you reaching your goals. Dr. Blied regards her work as a psychologist as a calling. She finds special meaning in developing services for people who, like her, also live with chronic medical conditions.  Dr. Blied is passionate about helping others find hope and purpose as they navigate changes in health.   Find Dr. Monica:    Instagram www.instagram.com/dr.blied  Facebook www.facebook.com/facesofhealth Direct website www.drblied.com

On this episode we discuss heading back to school virtually! For our interview we welcome Monica Ellis, bassoonist and founding member of the Imani Winds! Learn more about the Imani Winds at www.imaniwinds.com This podcast is brought to you by Chemical City Double Reeds (www.chemicalcityreeds.com), Edmund Nielsen Woodwinds (www.nielsen-woodwinds.com), Barton Cane (www.bartoncane.com), and Singin' Dog Double Reed Supplies (http://www.singindog.com/)! Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!

Listen to the full episode here: https://anchor.fm/fortebyclarinetandfriends/episodes/GRAMMY-Nominated-Imani-Winds-members-Monica-Ellis-and-Mark-Dover-discuss-pushing-the-boundaries-of-innovation-and-the-changing-artistic-and-social-world-we-live-in-egla9f/a-a2me11r --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefortepodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thefortepodcast/support

The GRAMMY-Nominated woodwind quintet, Imani Winds, has been at the forefront of a creative revolution in the performing arts. The ensemble frequently commissions new works from a diverse body of composers to reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live. Imani Winds regularly performs in top concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Their touring schedule has taken them throughout the Asian continent, Brazil, Australia, England, New Zealand, and across Europe. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefortepodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thefortepodcast/support

This episode is about the mass murder of 6 people on May 2, 1981. Ingrid Ellis, Monica Ellis, Tammy Ellis, Janet Jackson, Tyrone Jackson, and Sherry Robinson. Written Sources for this week are as follows:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/05/08/slaying-suspect-tells-father-he-will-surrender/7139ec6d-19ed-4dfc-9f9e-894dd47c829e/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/05/10/the-ellis-familys-dream-becomes-a-nightmare/f83b9a62-f9d3-48fa-bdad-4d2f614a60c6/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/11/10/ellis-pleads-guilty-in-md-mass-slaying/0cec4e6d-7a82-41e7-b8f4-4169c58a2b84/ https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/04/us/collector-of-guns-sought-in-slayings.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/10/14/ellis-asks-to-see-700-crime-scene-photographs/5e901277-c710-4d48-a324-4bcce72e7f9e/ (https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/05/13/Ronald-Ellis-charged-with-murdering-six-persons-at-his/4262358574400/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/11/10/ellis-pleads-guilty-in-md-mass-slaying/0cec4e6d-7a82-41e7-b8f4-4169c58a2b84/ FRIENDS OF THE PODCAST:The Random Gold- A Comedy podcast where two men discuss anything they can think of. They have no filter.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/random-gold-podcast/id1458450891?i=1000477028536https://www.instagram.com/randomgoldpod/The Glamorous Bling Queen - The Queen of Beautiful, bedazzled, and eco-friendly. Check out her metal straws!https://www.instagram.com/theglamorousblingqueen/ABCrimes Links:Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/abcrimespodcast/Email- abcrimes@gmail.com

Today's guest in this third episode of the Fischoff Effect series is Matt Landry from the Akropolis Reed Quintet.  In this series, I bring you five former winners of the Fischoff competition to talk about their experience preparing for and competing at Fischoff, and about the wonderful adventures and opportunities that have followed their win! My guests this week are Blaise Magniere from the Avalon String Quartet, Dorival Puccini from Axiom Brass, Matt Landry from the Akropolis Reed Quintet , Christopher Whitley from the Thalea String Quartet, and Lydia Reah from the former Kairos String Quartet!  Whether you are a musician about to compete at the competition, or a music lover looking for a fresh approach to practicing and preparing for a concert, make sure to subscribe and tune in everyday, because those conversations are bursting with inspiration and EXTREMELY useful information!  Each group has a unique and motivating story and my guests are so generous with their insightful tips and advice!    About Fischoff Founded in 1973 in South Bend, Indiana, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, attracting the finest and most talented young musicians from around the globe. and is one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 6,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  Fischoff is also deeply committed to music education and partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers. Since 1995, nearly 50,000 children, youth and adults have received free educational programming of the highest order. Website: http://www.fischoff.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFischoff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fischoffchambermusic/     Meet the Akropolis Reed Quintet – 2012 Senior Wind Division Silver Medal, 2014 Senior Wind Division Gold Medal, & 2015 Fischoff Educator Award Kari Landry, clarinet | Andrew Koeppe, bass clarinet | Ryan Reynolds, bassoon | Matt Landry, saxophone | Tim Gocklin, oboe   https://akropolisquintet.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akropolisquintet/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akropolis5tet/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGAiaA8x7b3W_OpBKgg7eXg   Hailed for their “imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality” (Fanfare Magazine), Akropolis was founded in 2009 at the University of Michigan and has won seven national chamber music prizes since 2011, including the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal and the 2015 Fischoff Educator Award. Akropolis is an alumnus of APAP's prestigious Young Performer's Career Advancement Program and is generously supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, CultureSource, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Chamber Music America, Alice M. Ditson Fund, Amphion Foundation, High Wire Lab, and Quicken Loans. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Akropolis' 19/20 season features 10 commissions for the ensemble including the first concerto for reed quintet and wind band by Roshanne Etezady, a chamber concerto by Jenni Brandon with guest bassoonist Monica Ellis of Imani Winds, a work for reed quintet and rideable percussion bicycle by Steven Snowden, and more. The season also features a 10-show, choreographed and staged production with BodyVox Dance in Portland, OR and Akropolis' 3rd annual Together We Sound festival in Detroit featuring a multimedia collaboration with Detroit projection artist, L05 (Carlos Garcia). Akropolis' recent and upcoming appearances includes stops at Caramoor, Chamber Music Northwest, the Oneppo Series at Yale University, the Chautauqua Institution, Artist Series of Sarasota, Chamber Music Abu Dhabi, Chamber Music Columbus, and more. Akropolis has been awarded a juried showcase at APAP (YPCA), Chamber Music America twice, Performing Arts Exchange, Western Arts Alliance, and the Mid-Atlantic Performing Arts Market. With three studio albums, including its March 2017 release of The Space Between Us, called “pure gold” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Akropolis has recorded 17 original reed quintet works. Akropolis' 2018 Together We Sound festival featured an improvisatory new work with YAK and a concert with acclaimed soprano Shara Nova. Akropolis premiered the first work for reed quintet and string quartet by David Schiff with the Dover Quartet in 2015 and has performed with artists like the Miró Quartet and renowned clarinetist David Shifrin. Akropolis has even performed with HarperCollins published author and scientist, Vic Strecher. In April 2017, Akropolis' residency in Abu Dhabi featured a performance of Marc Mellits' Splinter with original Arabic poetry performed by Khalifa University students, written around Mellits' music. Establishing Akropolis WORKS in 2016, Akropolis' members teach an annual 7-week music business mini-course at the University of Michigan as well as two semester-long courses at Michigan State University. They have delivered WORKS lectures to university musicians around the United States on marketing, financial planning, brand identity, and more. Equally committed to students K-12, Akropolis reached over 10,000 K-12 students in 2018. They conduct an annual school year long residency with students at three Detroit high schools including chamber music and music composition. Winner of a coveted Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grant, Akropolis has premiered more than 50 works from composers in 7 countries and was selected to adjudicate and premiere the 2018 Barlow Prize funded by the Barlow Endowment, the first time the prize was given for a reed quintet work. Akropolis' members are the first of any reed quintet to judge major chamber music competitions including the Fischoff (2018) and Chamber Music Yellow Springs (2019) competitions. Akropolis produces a YouTube Web Premiere Series with more than 50,000 views, showcasing new works, arrangements, and composer interviews for a live Internet audience. In 2012 Akropolis created Akropolis Collection and has now sold over 400 original and arranged sheet music works to more than 100 new and established reed quintets. Akropolis regularly appears in unconventional settings, including performances in office spaces in Detroit as part of its Corporate-to-Corner Tour in January 2017. In May 2016 Akropolis conducted a live recording session featuring audience participation for John Steinmetz's Sorrow and Celebration for reed quintet and audience, which Akropolis commissioned in 2014. Akropolis presents its annual Together We Sound festival in Detroit each June, bringing together multidisciplinary collaborators, new works, and educational outreach to increase arts access throughout the city. Akropolis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization generously supported by individuals around the world. All Akropolis events include informative musical introductions and a chance to greet the artists. Originating at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Akropolis remains its founding members: Tim Gocklin (oboe), Kari Landry (clarinet), Matt Landry (saxophone), Andrew Koeppe (bass clarinet), and Ryan Reynolds (bassoon). Akropolis is represented exclusively by Ariel Artists. Contact Matthew Kulas at matthew@arielartists.com for booking.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/   Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe here!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/

Boss Retreat! Email : TeamBossBodies@gmail.com for inquiries   How to get comfortable with putting on weight Let me guess. "Petite" is the word that comes to mind when you think of Bikini competition. Chances are you even visited a social platform to peruse through some competitor's dazzling photos to just have a clearer picture of how you ought to look. Then you put yourself through rigorous and strict training for a couple of weeks, and you are ready to hit the stage. Then the big day comes and all you see is perfection in your body.    Now imagine stepping on stage with confidence but getting this comment as a reward for your hard work: "You need to be much fuller. You need to put on a lot more muscle." You probably will wake up to a group of people surrounding you, with your feet elevated above your head for some first aid episodes. Haha…I'm just kidding. I know you are a strong woman, well prepared to handle any kind of critique that you receive from the judges.    But honestly, how do rise above such critiques, get comfortable and work towards that? Monica Ellis has been through similar experiences - And I mean multiple. She'll be helping us on how best we can handle and respond to such critiques.    Monica Ellis is an IFBB Bikini Pro. She began competing in 2014 and earned her Pro Card on her 4th national show in 2015. Her relentless nature has seen her constantly keep at the show with 23 shows under her belt. She qualified and competed in her first Olympia in 2018.  Besides competing, Monica work as a Client Renewal Advocate for IBM where she negotiates contracts renewals for customers. She loves inspiring other upcoming women competitors.     In today's episode, Monica talks to us about her struggle with putting on muscle. She also talks about her mental methods of competing back to back, how she keeps her weight within five pounds of stage weight, and how to completely separate personal life from competing life. Finally, she shares what has kept her growing strong in the sport for the last five years.    Let's go!   Takeaways You get to decide who we are, what you want to do in life, and who you want to become Don't stay stagnant, push yourself  Do what you need to do in order to get where you want to be Accept yourself and love your body Be disciplined Be patient It may be slower than others, but you will eventually get there You shouldn't make competing your end all be all Have the right mindset It's the journey that gets us there that brings us happiness Stay persistent and stay the course Your journey is meant for just you Keep your end goal in mind, but just keep going Take it one day at a time but don't give up   Important question [00:07:49] How many years have you been competing? [00:10:55] Why do you compete?  [00:15:43] What drew you into becoming a bikini competitor?  [00:17:40] When did you get that critique that you needed to put on muscle, and how did you actually process that in your brain? [00:19:52] What methods have helped you gain weight? [00:31:05] What do you think are the major struggles that you have faced when trying to put on the weight? [00:32:10] How many shows have you done?  [00:32:24] What would you say is the hardest thing about competing? [00:39:32] What do you think holds people back from actually putting in 100%? [00:43:06] What are the things that you experience when you're getting close to a stage? [00:45:30] What do you think is the mental thing that really puts us down?  [00:52:46] How would you say that competing has impacted your life a positive way? [00:54:06] What opportunities have come your way as a result of competing? [00:55:58] What would you say about sponsors?  [01:03:02] What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a professional in the sport?   Grab your Bikini Diarie's Honorary Tee to support the podcast https://naiymafit.com/shop/ Use code: bikinidiaries for 20%off   FOLLOW ME, Na'iyma Thompson @Naiymafit Naiymafit.com   Join TEAM BOSS BODIES use code: bikinidiaries for 15% off your package   Follow Monica Ellis IG:@monica_ellis_

Medverkar gör fagottisten Monica Ellis i ensemblen Imani Winds, tonsättaren Nkeiru Okoye och countertenoren Darryl Taylor. Monica Ellis bor i Harlem och spelar fagott i blåskvintetten Imani Winds, vilket betyder tillit och förtroende på swahili. Gruppen, tre kvinnor och två män, firar 2017 tjugoårsjubileum! - Klangen och färgerna i instrumenten är unika, annorlunda än stråkkvartetter eller pianotrios. Våra gemensamma musikaliska rötter är mångfaldiga: klassisk musik, jazz, rythmnblues och negro spirituals säger Monica Ellis. Vi är stolta över att representera våra rötter på det här sättet. Nkeiru Okoye komponerade operan Harriet Tubman, When I Crossed that Line. Harriet Tubman var en f d slav som blev frihetskämpe och var en av dem som räddade 300 slavar från den amerikanska södern genom de underjordiska järnvägarna. Harriet Tubman sjunger i operan: Solen lyser som guld genom träden. Det känns som om jag är i himlen. Jag gick över gränsen och jag är fri! Countertenoren Darryl Taylor grundade 1997 The African American Art Songs Alliance. Ett arkiv och en samlingsplats på nätet för konstfulla sånger i den afroamerikanska traditionen. Han har spelat in en CD med Negro Spirituals arrangerade av konstmusiktonsättare. - Bland operastjärnor av idag kan jag bara komma på en enda svart tenor i hela världen! Svarta barytoner får ofta jobb som operans skurkar, Scarpia i Tosca eller Jago i Othello, berättar Darryl Taylor. Musiklista:SYMFONI NR 1William Grant Still,John Jeter/ Fort Smith SymphonyNAXOS 14590, 8.5591743 Visions - No. 2. SummerlandWilliam Grant Still,Althea Waites PianoCambria Cd 1097, CAMBRIA CD-1097 AMAZING GRACETrad, Hale SmithJohn NewtonDarryl Taylor / Brent McmunnALBANY 14638, TROY 1244Homage To DukeJeff Scott,Imani WindsKOCH INTERNATIONAL, CLASSIC SKIC-CD-7599 Homage To DukeJeff Scott,Imani WindsKOCH INTERNATIONAL, CLASSICS KIC-CD-7599Rite Of SpringStravinskij,Imani WindsGo Tell It On The MountainValerie Coleman,Imani WindsKOCH INTERNATIONAL, KIC-CD-7748 DE GOSPEL TRAINTrad Från Usa,Trad Från UsaMarian Anderson / Franz RuppURANIA 22858, URN 22.328DE GOSPEL TRAINTrad, Kurt Kaiser / Don Marsh / Patrick RussTradKathleen Battle / Jessye Norman / James LevineDGG 00174, 429 790-2Songs Of Harriet Tubman - 1. My Name Is AaramintaNkeiru Okoye,Louise ToppinJulius P Williams, dirigent Dvoand 345 K Symphony OrchestraAlbany Troy 1314, TROY1314Songs Of Harriet Tubman - 3. I Am Harriet TubmanNkeiru Okoye,Louise Toppin Julius P Williams, dirigentDvoand 345 K Symphony OrchestraAlbany Troy 1314, TROY1314 GUIDE MY FEETTrad Från USA, Jacqueline HairstonTrad Från USA Darryl Taylor / Brent McmunnALBANY 14638, TROY 1244OH PETER GO RING DEM BELLSTrad Från USA, Margaret BondsTrad Från USADarryl Taylor/ Brent McmunnALBANY 14638, TROY 1244SISTER MARY WORE THREE LENGTHS OF CHAINTrad, George WalkerDarryl Taylor / BrentMcmunnALBANY 14638, TROY 1244AIN'T GOT TIMET O DIETrad Från USA,Trad Från USARobert Mcferrin / Norman JohnsonRIVERSIDE 00325, RLP 12-812

Joséphine Baker - sångerska, dansare, regnbågsmamma och motståndskvinna som lyckades förverkliga sig och sina musikaliska drömmar 'mot alla odds'. Andra delen av "När vinden vänder". Medverkar gör fagottisten Monica Ellis i ensemblen Imani Winds från New York, pianisten Althea Waites från Los Angeles och dirigenten och tonsättaren Renée Baker från Chicago.Joséphine Bakers klassresa är gigantisk. Vinden vänder flera gånger. Från fattigdom och misär reser hon sig och blir den första afroamerikanska scenartist som når stjärnstatus. Joséphine Baker blir en av Europas mest populära och högst betalda artister - en riktig fashionista, som har en gepard som sällskapsdjur, blir filmstjärna, bor i ett slott med sina tolv adopterade barn och är bästis med furstinnan Grace av Monaco.Joséphine Baker föds 1906 och växer upp under knappa villkor i St Louis, Missouri. Hon arbetar som barnvakt och städerska hos rika, vita familjer redan som 8-åring.1917, när Joséphine Baker är 11 år, upplever hon ett av de värsta rasistiska dåden i USAs historia. Den s k Östra St Louis-massakern. Tusentals vita människor demolerar och bränner ner svarta människors hem och skjuter rakt in i folkmassor med afroamerikaner. Flera svarta lynchas efter utrop som Söderns negrer förtjänar en geniun lynchning. Mellan 100 och 200 människor dör i de våldsamma upploppen, de allra flesta afroamerikaner. Sex tusen afroamerikaner blir hemlösa efter massakern.Händelserna i Östra St Louis satte outplånliga spår hos Joséphine Baker och under hela sitt vuxna liv arbetar hon aktivt mot rasism. Redan under sina föreställningar på 20-och 30-talen kräver hon i kontrakten att även svarta skall ha tillåtelse att komma till hennes föreställningar.Joséphine Baker vinner sin första danstävling vid 14 års ålder. I samband med det här turnerar hon I USA med Jones Family Band och Dixie Steppers. Hon flyttar till New York och uppträder i The Chocolate Dandies ett namn som används av en mängd olika jazzensembler USA på 1920- och 1940-talen.Som liten upplever pianisten Althea Waites de 1876 instiftade Jim Crow-lagarna i USA, vilka möjliggör segregationen.- Vi svarta förbjuds att använda samma toaletter, restauranter, dricksvattenfontäner, bussar ja, t o m kyrkor som vita. Det finns skiljeväggar mellan säten för vita och svarta i bussarna. Svarta kan inte prova kläder i varuhusen och det finns biografer för vita dit svarta aldrig får tillträde, berättar Althea Waites.Joséphine Baker står inte ut med segregationen i USA utan köper 1925 en enkel biljett till en atlantångare och går i exil i Paris. Hon är endast 19 år gammal.Blåskvintetten Imani Winds gav nyligen ut cdn Joséphine Baker - A Life Of Le Jazz Hot!, med två sviter om artisten.- Nuförtiden känner många inte ens till Joséphine Baker. Därför vill vi ställa henne i rampjuset genom de scenshower vi sätter upp med musiken från vår cd, berättar Monica Ellis, fagottist i ensemblen.- Artistkretsarna i USA under 30- och 40-talen begränsar henne. De är så inskränkta att en kvinna, en så stor personlighet som Joséphine Baker, är tvungen att finna en plats där de uppskattar hennes talang.-Vinden vänder helt på fransk mark och Joséphine Baker upplever för första gången att publiken struntar i hennes hudfärg och ser henne som den artist hon är. Detta är Joséphins viktigaste vändpunkt och hon använder den till att skapa sin magnifika karriär, säger fagottisten Monica Ellis i programmet.Joséphine Baker inleder sin Parisvistelse med att framträda I föreställningen La Revue Nègre, Neger-revyn, på Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.Den ökända finalen, Vildens dans, väcker starka reaktioner hos vissa delar av publiken. Joséphine Baker dansar nämligen topless, endast iklädd fjäderboa vid stussen och huvudet. Hon har stora örhängen och skelar med ögonen. Jospéhine Baker har med sin dans skapat en skandalsuccé!- Vissa anser att Joséphine Baker tjänar pengar på att uttrycka parisarnas fördomsfulla syn på afroamerikaner som abnorma freaks som sysslar med pajaserier. Många svarta tar illa vid sig över den där driften med svarta kvinnors kroppar och deras bakdelar, säger dirigenten och tonsättaren Renée Baker, som bildade 50-personersgruppen Chicago Modern Orchestra Project.- Joséphine Baker blir extremt sexualiserad, speciellt av vita män. Själv ser hon inte enbart sig själv som sexobjekt, utan använder sig av det dramatiska, det provokativa och det som mest chockar publiken, säger Monica Ellis.- Jag förstår att hon gör så här för att visa att hon är en stor artist, helt enkelt! Hon använder de instrument hon har; sin kropp och sin skönhet. När vi nu kan vi se hela bilden är dessa uppträdanden bara ett utsnitt ur det bildspel som är hela hennes konstnärliga historia, förklarar fagottisten Monica Ellis.I Paris spelar Joséphine Baker in filmroller som Siren of the Tropics, Zou-Zou och Princessan Tam-Tam. 1935 tar hon sånglektioner inför sin roll som Dora, dottern till guvernören i Guadeloupe, i Offenbachs komiska opera La Créole.1936 gör hon än en gång succé. Denna gång med föreställningen La Folie du Jour dagens galenskap - där hon dansar endast iklädd bh, strass och 16 konstgjorda bananer runt midjan. Här utför hon de kända Charleston-rörelserna där armarna korsas över knäna. En del ser de här gula frukterna som symboler för manliga könsorgan. Joséphine Baker får smeknamn som Svarta Pärlan, Brons Venus och Kreolgudinnna. Över hundra män friar till henne.Joséphine Baker är nu en av Europas mest populära och högst betalda artister och promenerar nedför Champs-Élysées med sin gepard Chiquita, gullar med sin get Toutoute eller dränker sin gris Albert i dyra parfymer.Hon återvänder till New York i mitten av 30-talet för att medverka i föreställningen Ziegfield Follies på Broadway. Det svarta samhället i Harlem hyllar henne, men varken den vita publiken eller vita recensenter i USA accepterar att en afroamerikansk kvinna kan vara sofistikerad och glamorös. I New York Times kallas Joséphine Baker för 'negerslinka'.Hon återvänder till Frankrike. Hon blir fransk medborgare 1937 och uppsäger samtidigt sitt amerikanska medborgarskap.- I Joséphine Bakers liv vänder vinden många gånger, anser fagottisten Monica Ellis. Bland annat när hon arbetar för den franska motståndsrörelsen under andra världskriget. Hon inser att hon är duglig även utanför scenen och filmduken och får visa vilken humanist hon är.Under nazisternas ockupation av Frankrike arbetar Joséphine Baker för den franska motståndsrörelsen genom att smuggla meddelanden bland sina notblad eller i underkläderna.- Att Joséphine Baker skulle utföra den här typen av hemliga uppdrag är för många helt osannolikt, och det gör henne än mer undercover, skrattar Monica Ellis. Sångerskan använder smarta, listiga och varierande sätt att göra en insats för det hon tror på. Hon är en extraordinär kvinna.Joséphine Baker är en föregångare till Marilyn Monroe och Madonna. Eller en legering av dessa båda artistiska ättlingar. Men hur kunde då Joséphine Baker, som var så ensam i sitt slag, vara så extremt stark och målmedveten?- Elasticiteten hos ett förtryckt folk är speciell, förklarar Monica Ellis. Det sista du tänker på är att du är förtryckt. Du funderar ständigt på hur du skall komma ur din misär, hur du skall kunna förverkliga det du har inom dig; dina drömmar, ditt kall. Du tänker inte på svårigheterna utan på vad som ligger framför dig. Hur tiderna skall förändras, avslutar fagottisten Monica Ellis i blåskvintetten Imani Winds.Den 8 april 1975 firar Joséphine Baker sina 50 år som entertainer genom en revy på varitéteatern Bobino på Montparnasse, på Seines vänstra strand i Paris. Den är finansierad av bl a Grace av Monaco och Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Fyra dagar senare avlider Joséphine Baker i en hjärnblödning. Hon är knappt 69 år gammal. Paris hylllar henne med en begravning värd en statschef och skjuter en salut med 21 skott.Låtlista:12:03 Billie Holiday, Harry Edison, Ben Webster, Jimmy Rowles, Barney Kessel, Red Mitchell, Alvin Stoller - Body And Soul Album: Holiday For Lovers Kompositör: Johnny Green Bolag: VERVE 12:05 Josephine Baker, Jo Bouillon - Don'T Touch My Tomatoes Album: My Greatest Songs Kompositör: Trad Bolag: RCA 12:08 Josephine Baker - Lonesome Lovesick Blues Album: Bravo A Josephine Baker Kompositör: Spencer Williams Bolag: COLUMBIA 12:13 Joséphine Baker, Adrien Lamy, Melodic-Jazz Du Casino De Paris, Edmond Mahieux - J'Ai Deux Amours Album: Exotique Kompositör: Vincent Scotto Bolag: FLAPPER 12:18 Josephine Baker - I Want To Yodel Album: Bravo A Josephine Baker Kompositör: W Spencer Bolag: COLUMBIA 12:20 Joséphine Baker - Sans Amour Album: Exotique Kompositör: Charles Borel-Clerc Bolag: FLAPPER 12:25 Imani Winds - La Belle Sirène Comme Le Comedienne/ I Journey Across The Ocean Kompositör: Jeff Scott Bolag: KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS 12:27 Josephine Baker, Comedian Harmonists, Erwin Bootz - EspabilateAlbum: Joséphine Baker 1933-1937 Kompositör: Eliseo Grenet Bolag: CHANSOPHONE 12:29 Joséphine Baker, Melodic-Jazz Du Casino De Paris, Edmond Mahieux - La Petite TonkinoiseAlbum: Exotique Kompositör: Vincent Scotto, G Villard Bolag: FLAPPER 12:34 Josephine Baker - MadianaAlbum: Joséphine Baker 1933-1937 Kompositör: Maiotte-Almaby Bolag: CHANSOPHONE 12:37 Imani Winds - La Belle Sirène Comme Le Comedienne/ Ii One Ticket PleaseKompositör: Jeff Scott Bolag: KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS 12:43 Joséphine Baker, Le Jazz Du Poste-Parisien, Al Romaine - HaitiAlbum: Exotique Kompositör: Vincent Scotto Bolag: FLAPPER 12:46 Josephine Baker, Wal-Berg - I'M Feelin' Like A MillionAlbum: Joséphine Baker 1933-1937 Kompositör: Nacio Herb Brown Bolag: CHANSOPHONE 12:50 Imani Winds - Portraits Of Josephine Baker Vi Les Milandes Imani WindsKompositör: Valerie Coleman Bolag: KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS 12:53 Josephine Baker, John Ellsworth - Doudou Album: Joséphine Baker 1933-1937 Kompositör: Pothier, Maurice Hermite, Pipon Bolag: CHANSOPHONE 12:56 Josephine Baker, Jo Bouillon - Je Voudrais Album: My Greatest Songs Kompositör: Bruno Coquatrix Bolag: RCA 12:59 Joséphine Baker - The Times They Are A-Changing Album: Live At Carnegie Hall Kompositör: Bob Dylan Bolag: TELE GENERAL STUDIOS

Om Joséphine Baker, sångerska, dansare, regnbågsmamma. Med fagottisten Monica Ellis och tonsättaren Renée Baker. Del 2 av 5 av Birgitta Tollan. Birgitta Tollans nya programserie "När vinden vänder" handlar om människor som lyckades förverkliga sig och sina musikaliska drömmar ”mot alla odds”. Medverkar gör fagottisten Monica Ellis i ensemblen Imani Winds från New York, pianisten Althea Waites från Los Angeles och dirigenten och tonsättaren Renée Baker från Chicago. Joséphine Bakers klassresa är gigantisk. Vinden vänder flera gånger. Från fattigdom och misär reser hon sig och blir den första afroamerikanska scenartist som når stjärnstatus. Joséphine Baker blir en av Europas mest populära och högst betalda artister - en riktig fashionista, som har en gepard som sällskapsdjur, blir filmstjärna, bor i ett slott med sina tolv adopterade barn och är bästis med furstinnan Grace av Monaco. Joséphine Baker föds 1906 och växer upp under små villkor i St Louis, Missouri. Hon arbetar som barnvakt och städerska hos rika, vita familjer redan som 8-åring. 1917, när Joséphine Baker är 11 år, upplever hon ett av de värsta rasistiska dåden i USA’s historia. Den s k Östra St Louis-massakern. Tusentals vita människor demolerar och bränner ner svarta människors hem och skjuter rakt in i folkmassor med afroamerikaner. Flera svarta lynchas efter utrop som ”Söderns negrer förtjänar en geniun lynchning”. Mellan 100 och 200 människor dör i de våldsamma upploppen, de allra flesta afroamerikaner. Sex tusen afroamerikaner blir hemlösa efter massakern. Händelserna i Östra St Louis satte outplånliga spår hos Joséphine Baker som under hela sitt vuxna liv aktivt arbetar mot rasism. Redan under sina föreställningar under 20-och 30-talen kräver hon i kontrakten att även svarta skall ha tillåtelse att komma till hennes föreställningar. Joséphine Baker vinner sin första danstävling vid 14 års ålder. I samband med det här turnerar hon I USA med Jones Family Band och Dixie Steppers. Hon flyttar till New York och uppträder i The Chocolate Dandies ett namn som används av en mängd olika jazzensembler USA på 1920- och 1940-talen. Som liten upplever pianisten Althea Waites de 1876 instiftade Jim Crow-lagarna i USA, vilka möjliggör segregationen. - Vi svarta förbjuds att använda samma toaletter, restauranter, dricksvattenfontäner, bussar ja, t o m kyrkor som vita. Det finns skiljeväggar mellan säten för vita och svarta i bussarna. Svarta kan inte prova kläder i varuhusen och det finns biografer för vita dit svarta aldrig får tillträde, berättar Althea Waites. Joséphine Baker står inte ut med segregationen i USA utan köper 1925 en enkel biljett till en atlantångare och går i exil i Paris. Hon är endast 19 år gammal. Blåskvintetten Imani Winds gav nyligen ut cd’n Joséphine Baker - A Life Of Le Jazz Hot!, med två sviter om artisten. - Nuförtiden känner många inte ens till Joséphine Baker. Därför ville vi ställa henne i rampjuset genom de scenshower vi satte upp med musiken från vår cd, berättar Monica Ellis, fagottist i ensemblen. - Artistkretsarna i USA under 30- och 40-talen begränsar henne. De är så inskränkta att en kvinna med en så stor personlighet är tvungen att finna en plats där de uppskattar hennes talang. -Vinden vänder helt på fransk mark och Joséphine Baker upplever för första gången att publiken inte bryr sig om hennes hudfärg utan istället ser henne som den artist hon är. Detta är Joséphins viktigaste vändpunkt och hon använder den till att skapa sin magnifika karriär, säger fagottisten Monica Ellis i programmet. Joséphine Baker inleder sin Parisvistelse med att framträda I föreställningen La Revue Nègre, Neger-revyn, på Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. Den ökända finalen, Vildens dans, väcker starka reaktioner hos vissa delar av publiken. Joséphine Baker dansar nämligen topless, endast iklädd fjäderboa vid stussen och huvudet. Hon har stora örhängen och skelar med ögonen. Jospéhine Baker har med sin dans skapat en skandalsuccé! - Vissa anser att Joséphine Baker tjänar pengar på att uttrycka parisarnas fördomsfulla syn på afroamerikaner som abnorma freaks som sysslar med pajaserier. Många svarta tar illa vid sig över den där driften med svarta kvinnors kroppar och deras bakdelar, säger dirigenten och tonsättaren Renée Baker, som bildade 50-personersgruppen Chicago Modern Orchestra Project. - Joséphine Baker blir extremt sexualiserad, speciellt av vita män. Själv ser hon inte enbart sig själv som sexobjekt, utan använder sig av det dramatiska, det provokativa och det som mest chockar publiken, säger Monica Ellis. - Jag förstår att hon gör så här för att visa att hon är en stor artist, helt enkelt! Hon använder de instrument hon har; sin kropp och sin skönhet. Nu kan vi se hela bilden och då är dessa uppträdanden bara ett utsnitt ur det bildspel som är hela hennes konstnärliga historia, förklarar fagottisten Monica Ellis. I Paris spelar Joséphine Baker in filmroller som Siren of the Tropics, Zou-Zou och Princessan Tam-Tam. 1935 tar hon sånglektioner inför sin roll som Dora, dottern till guvernören i Guadeloupe, i Offenbach’s komiska opera La Créole. 1936 gör hon än en gång succé. Denna gång med föreställningen La Folie du Jour – dagens galenskap - där hon dansar endast iklädd bh, strass och 16 konstgjorda bananer runt midjan. Här utför hon de kända Charleston-rörelserna där armarna korsas över knäna. En del ser de här gula frukterna som symboler för manliga könsorgan. Joséphine Baker får smeknamn som Svarta Pärlan, Brons Venus och Kreolgudinnna. Över hundra män friar till henne. Joséphine Baker är nu en av Europas mest populära och högst betalda artister och promenerar nedför Champs-Élysées med sin gepard Chiquita, gullar med sin get Toutoute eller dränker sin gris Albert i dyra parfymer. Hon återvänder till New York i mitten av 30-talet för att medverka i föreställningen Ziegfield Follies på Broadway. Det svarta samhället i Harlem hyllar hennes vistelse, men varken den vita publiken eller vita recensenter i USA accepterar att en afroamerikansk kvinna kan vara sofistikerad och glamorös. I New York Times kallas Joséphine Baker för “negerslinka”. Hon återvänder till Frankrike. Hon blir fransk medborgare 1937 och uppsäger samtidigt sitt amerikanska medborgarskap. - I Joséphin Bakers liv vänder vinden många gånger, anser fagottisten Monica Ellis. Bland annat när hon arbetar för den franska motståndsrörelsen under andra världskriget. Hon inser att hon är duglig även utanför scenen och filmduken och får visa vilken människovän hon är. Under nazisternas ockupation av Frankrike arbetar Joséphine Baker för den franska motståndsrörelsen genom att smuggla meddelanden bland sina notblad eller i underkläderna. - Joséphine Baker var en helt osannolik person att utföra den här typen av hemligt uppdrag, och det gjorde henne ännu ner undercover, skrattar Monica Ellis. Sångerskan använder smarta, listiga och varierande sätt att göra en insats för det hon tror på. Hon är en extraordinär kvinna. Joséphine Baker är en föregångare till Marilyn Monroe och Madonna. Eller en legering av dessa båda artistiska ättlingar. Men hur kunde då Joséphine Baker, som var så ensam i sitt slag, vara så extremt stark och målmedveten? - Elasticiteten hos ett förtryckt folk är speciell, förklarar Monica Ellis. Det sista du tänker på är att du är förtryckt. Du funderar ständigt på hur du skall komma ur din misär, hur du skall kunna förverkliga det du har inom dig; dina drömmar, ditt kall. Du tänker inte på svårigheterna utan på vad som ligger framför dig. Hur tiderna skall förändras, avslutar fagottisten Monica Ellis i blåskvintetten Imani Winds. Den 8 april 1975 firar Joséphine Baker sina 50 år som entertainer genom en revy på varitéteatern Bobino på Montparnasse, på Seines vänstra strand i Paris. Den är finansierad av bl a Grace av Monaco och Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Fyra dagar senare avlider Joséphine Baker i en hjärnblödning. Hon är knappt 69 år gammal. Paris hylllar henne med en begravning värd en statschef och skjuter en salut med 21 skott. Manus, regi och produktion: Birgitta Tollan.

Det tredje programmet av tio i Birgitta Tollans serie How sweet the sound. Medverkar gör fagottisten Monica Ellis, tonsättaren Nkeiru Okoye och countertenoren Darryl Taylor. Monica Ellis bor i Harlem och spelar fagott i blåskvintetten Imani Winds, vilket betyder tillit och förtroende på swahili. Gruppen, fyra kvinnor och en man, har existerat i 16 år. - Klangen och färgerna i instrumenten är unika, annorlunda än stråkkvartetter eller pianotrios. Våra gemensamma musikaliska rötter är mångfaldiga: klassisk musik, jazz, rythm’nblues och negro spirituals säger Monica Ellis. Vi är stolta äver att representera våra rötter på det här sättet. Nkeiru Okoye komponerade operan ”Harriet Tubman, When I Crossed that Line”. Harriet Tubman var en f d slav som blev frihetskämpe och var en av dem som räddade 300 slavar från den amerikanska södern genom de”underjordiska järnvägarna”. Harriet Tubman sjunger i operan: ”Solen lyser som guld genom träden. Det känns som om jag är i himlen. Jag gick över gränsen och jag är fri!” Countertenoren Darryl Taylor grundade 1997 The African American Art Songs Alliance. Ett arkiv och en samlingsplats på nätet för konstfulla sånger i den afroamerikanska traditionen. Han har spelat in en CD med Negro Spirituals arrangerade av konstmusiktonsättare. - Bland operastjärnor av idag kan jag bara komma på en enda svart tenor – i hela världen! Svarta barytoner får ofta jobb som operans skurkar, Scarpia i Tosca eller Jago i Othello, berättar Darryl Taylor. För manus, regi och produktion står Birgitta Tollan.

VIDEO: Imani Winds perform 'Red Clay Mississippi Delta' Imani Winds was a novelty when it first arrived on the scene in 1997, a wind quintet that veered away from the customary European classical fare to focus on compositions drawing from African and Latin American styles and idioms. Composers like Astor Piazzolla, Paquito D’Rivera and Wayne Shorter were the group's mainstays. So were arrangements of spirituals or songs by jazz singer Josephine Baker. Critics and audiences praised the quintet's freshness and accessibility. But its members started to feel pigeonholed. "At the beginning of our career, we used to do a lot of children's concerts,” Toyin Spellman-Diaz, the quintet’s oboist, told WQXR's Jeff Spurgeon. “That was kind of our vehicle into the large concert stage. People would hire us to do a bunch of residency activities in their town and we would do a main stage concert.” By playing for kids the quintet learned how to ratchet up their on-stage energy, a skill that also served increasingly distracted adults. “But making that into a more sophisticated thing, and learning how to be sophisticated artists, that’s our next evolution,” said Spellman-Diaz. “Our manager has this phrase: 'we’re trying to go from being successful to being significant.'" By any measure, the Imani Winds has been a success. The group has taken an outlier format in chamber music – lacking the deep repertoire of a string quartet – and has commissioned dozens of works. It has released eight recordings, the latest being an arrangement of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring for EMI. Along with touring, the group is a staple on Public Radio stations across the U.S. In an effort to build a sharper identity in New York, the quintet has launched the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, which begins its fourth installment this Thursday. The four-day event features performances at Juilliard, Christ & St. Stephen’s Church and Bryant Park, plus a daylong symposium at Mannes College of Music, and an emerging composers workshop. The Imani will perform with violinist Lara St. John and host guest ensembles like the Zodiac Trio and Project Trio. “The festival came about as a macrocosm of what we do on the road, which is to perform an evening concert and go and give a master class at the local conservatory or school of music,” said Mariam Adam, the group’s clarinetist. “That recipe became necessary for us to expand on.” Adam notes that the quintet's recent tours abroad have been a wakeup call. The exposure to other styles "has been wonderful to regain a concept of what the wind quintet is and what it can be,” she said. As the Imani Winds members seek to deepen their profile, the members face the immediate reality of family life. Flutist Valerie Coleman is currently away on maternity leave (Sato Moughalian is filling in) and bassoonist Monica Ellis is expecting a baby shortly. The group plans to use substitutes, said Spellman-Diaz, noting that both children are due two days apart from each other. "It’s a testament to women living together in harmony in that we are very much joined together in a way that we don’t understand at this point," she joked. Video: Amy Pearl; Audio: George Wellington; Text & Production: Brian Wise

Watch a great performance of original works by Imani Winds Wind Quintet and then get to know the members Valerie Coleman, Toyin Spellman, Mariam Adam & Monica EllisMusic Academy onLive