Congratulations to the class of 2020

Students often work around the  clock to claim success. It is their way of being in control of the outcome of their story. Doing well at their studies gives students a clear path to the stars and so, they pursue their education with diligence and devotion.

I have to give it to those students who were engaged in the great struggle of learning virtually; especially who were on the verge of becoming a class of 2020 graduate. Their
story is one I would consider as being unique because they had to deal with the
challenge of doing everything required to take off to the sky, online.

Thinking about that and so many of the students I had worked with who were about to advance to the next chapter of their journey made me remember life and how it felt to finally get to the last page of that part of my story. And I remembered all the first-hand exposure
and practice I did to make sure I had all the tools I needed to be able to walk
down the aisle with tears of joy rolling down my cheeks, to actually accept my
certificate of completion.

Thoughts of this ran through my mind when my sister sent me her intelligent and handsome son’s graduation picture. I looked at it and it made me want to dabble into a bit of creative expression while my excitement for his accomplishment was fresh in my mind. I’d say that I
went plowing full speed ahead and then not shortly after that, a song was born.

It is called “Moving Forward.” 

It is a song to celebrate the achievements of the students who put their all
into studying from the confines of home during the stressful time of the
pandemic and quarantine and were able to succeed. It is dedicated to all those
who were able to leverage the experience of the quietude and found success.

I felt such a feeling of elation for them that music came pouring out the well of my eyes; especially for my students and for my nephew.  Please check out the song here: https://youtu.be/cCqQLst99tM

I created the drum track and then the piano overlay and added stacks of vocal harmonies to it and then sent the song to my friend John Mueller in Chicago, IL, who added a funky bass line and moving guitar strums to it. The song was completed just in time for me to share it with my nephew on the day of his graduation.

I’m so very inspired by their strength; that even through the obstacles, they did it.

Congratulations to the class of 2020. Job well done. 

World Love is the Matter

Did the Governor say that today is day 96 of the quarantine? That is so crazy to me. We started off 2020 and my thoughts were that this was going to be a great year and somewhere in the midst of it, I was wishing it would be 2021.

But nonetheless, we are here and the fact that we are still here is a blessing, though we have lost so many along this journey.

Quarantine is interesting. I guess I never have had a problem with quietude. I think that is a musician thing maybe. 

I have spent so much time lately practicing my piano and working on music and a new forthcoming project that if God is willing, I will be able to share with you at some point in the upcoming month. But for now, here is one of the first cuts from "The Stephanie Jeannot & John Mueller Project."

The song is entitled "Love is the Matter." All lyrics and music by Stephanie Jeannot and John Mueller. It is a song to promote the idea of world love and unity. 

You can check out the full length song here: https://youtu.be/jNhGBWp1WII via @YouTube. 

God bless you all and be safe out there!