A little background in her own words...
Early years
I am the youngest of 5 children and had the benefit of growing up in a tight-knit, musical, Massachusetts family. It was rarely quiet in our home but even though it felt like one of us was always a beginner at something my parents never told us to stop playing and were a constant source of encouragement.
At 6, I began belting out songs in local theatre and had my first major performance as the little orphan Annie. I can remember the exact moment when I fell in love with being on stage and haven’t stopped enjoying it since. I started playing the cello in the 3rd grade and classical voice and drums soon after. Although I had my heart set on being a concert cellist, I realized at some point along the way that singing was my true musical calling. I taught myself to play piano on the old, honky-tonk upright my parents picked up at a yard sale and by 14 I was writing and singing my own songs. I was a very rebellious teenager and staying interested in high school was a challenge for me. Music was the one exception. I participated in every musical activity that was available. From there I went on to study music at The University of Massachusetts, started getting work as a studio recording session singer and began performing in clubs.
Young Adult
Having to support a young family, I turned to teaching instrumental and vocal music to help supplement my income as a performer. I took a position at a private conservatory and to my surprise I loved teaching. I knew almost immediately that it was something meaningful that I would continue to do as long as I was able.
I went on to be the lead singer for several bands until I landed with Boston based funk and soul group, Superhoney. Our collaboration secured Superhoney into a Boston institution, winning several Boston Music Awards and a faithful following. After 3 international tours, 5 albums and over a decade of success, the band decided to take on other projects. Still the best of friends, our group reunites on occasion to packed crowds of dedicated fans.
A Little Later
Forward to 2011 and approximately 1,000 gigs later...
During this time I began collaborating with my sister, Lisa Parade on writing and recording projects in LA. She had been living in Southern California for some time and after several trips between Boston and Los Angeles I acquiesced to her pleas to relocate. My husband and I made the trek across the country to our new home in LA this past August.
I was thrilled when Lisa introduced me to some new teaching opportunities at the school for which she is the instrumental director. During the summer, I taught for an intensive, month long performing arts program and I now teach instrumental music during the school year and am a private voice teacher. In addition, Lisa and I recently started “The Singers Collective” which is an organization of our combined students and whose primary purpose is character development through artist development.
I am the youngest of 5 children and had the benefit of growing up in a tight-knit, musical, Massachusetts family. It was rarely quiet in our home but even though it felt like one of us was always a beginner at something my parents never told us to stop playing and were a constant source of encouragement.
At 6, I began belting out songs in local theatre and had my first major performance as the little orphan Annie. I can remember the exact moment when I fell in love with being on stage and haven’t stopped enjoying it since. I started playing the cello in the 3rd grade and classical voice and drums soon after. Although I had my heart set on being a concert cellist, I realized at some point along the way that singing was my true musical calling. I taught myself to play piano on the old, honky-tonk upright my parents picked up at a yard sale and by 14 I was writing and singing my own songs. I was a very rebellious teenager and staying interested in high school was a challenge for me. Music was the one exception. I participated in every musical activity that was available. From there I went on to study music at The University of Massachusetts, started getting work as a studio recording session singer and began performing in clubs.
Young Adult
Having to support a young family, I turned to teaching instrumental and vocal music to help supplement my income as a performer. I took a position at a private conservatory and to my surprise I loved teaching. I knew almost immediately that it was something meaningful that I would continue to do as long as I was able.
I went on to be the lead singer for several bands until I landed with Boston based funk and soul group, Superhoney. Our collaboration secured Superhoney into a Boston institution, winning several Boston Music Awards and a faithful following. After 3 international tours, 5 albums and over a decade of success, the band decided to take on other projects. Still the best of friends, our group reunites on occasion to packed crowds of dedicated fans.
A Little Later
Forward to 2011 and approximately 1,000 gigs later...
During this time I began collaborating with my sister, Lisa Parade on writing and recording projects in LA. She had been living in Southern California for some time and after several trips between Boston and Los Angeles I acquiesced to her pleas to relocate. My husband and I made the trek across the country to our new home in LA this past August.
I was thrilled when Lisa introduced me to some new teaching opportunities at the school for which she is the instrumental director. During the summer, I taught for an intensive, month long performing arts program and I now teach instrumental music during the school year and am a private voice teacher. In addition, Lisa and I recently started “The Singers Collective” which is an organization of our combined students and whose primary purpose is character development through artist development.