Dusty’s been singing, songwriting, and acting since she was a ’tween !
In her early teens, she started singing, songwriting, performing and gigging with rock, blues and psychedelic bands, at teen dances.
She continued to sing in and gig with many different bands and styles, eventually forming many of her own bands, including forming/performing with a few all women’s bands.
At SRJC and SSU, she studied and completed many more music classes than were required for degrees in music, and did the same regarding education classes, all towards her goal and interest in becoming an excellent musician and an excellent teacher.
She’d previously studied Classical voice, including studying at prestigious Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore,Maryland, but—
Dusty prefers (and LOVES!) to sing/teach other styles:
all styles of Rock, Blues, & Jazz, Fusion, Folk, World Music, HipHop, Reggae, Spoken Word, and more!
She sang and danced with a dance company directed by the wonderfully talented Sandor Diabankouezi, from Congo, Africa.
Rhythms and percussion very strongly influence her improvisations and singing styles, particularly Jazz, Reggae and HipHop.
Dusty’s played many clubs locally and in SF bay area, many college campuses and private parties, concerts and festivals, including Sonoma County Blues Festival, Cotati Jazz Festival, West Coast Experimental Music Festival, art galleries,weddings, corporate events, Women’s Music Festivals, Sonoma and Marin County Fairs, Harmony Faire, Russian River Jazz Film Festival,
Lake Tahoe (with a Rhythm & Blues band complete with horn section), and many benefits for good causes such as Peace, Justice, Women’s, LGBTQI+, and Immigrants’ Rights, and many many
other contexts and venues.
She’s also experienced and available for recording, and was the chosen singer for many musicians to sing on their demo’s in Los Angeles.
With her own bands, she also includes Spoken Word, with her own original poetry and stories.
Based on her family and friends’ Native American wisdom, she did one of her original poems, solo, Spoken Word, at
“100,000 International Poets for Change Festival” ,and—
Dusty received a standing ovation!
She loves teaching, helping people to develop their own singing/vocal styles, as well as teaching Spoken Word (for poets, actors, storytellers, audiobook readers, and any public speaking).
Having background, education and experience in Drama, Art and Music Therapy, she also loves helping people to connect with their audiences, improving and developing their stage presence.
Dusty especially enjoys working with beginners, including shy people– taking into consideration peoples’ many different learning styles, and most importantly–considering each person’s unique in
dividual interests, experiences, hopes, goals and dreams!
She also strives to never turn anyone away, due to their lack of money.
She has a big heart, offers a sliding scale if needed, and occasionally part barter if needed.
If you really want to study with her, contact her!
DUSTY IS TEACHING VACCINATED STUDENTS IN PERSON
contact:
707 850 8703 (text)
