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 Since 2007
Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.
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info@wijsf.org|www.wijsf.com
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WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.
We gather women musicians together and get their music heard by multitudes!
A non-profit organization that promotes women musicians, globally, especially, women who compose and perform their own music, and men who support them. Get membership FREE for one year, email Joan at divajc47@yahoo.com, when two of your friends purchase or download our compilation CDs.
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NEW BOARD: 2015-2017
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| 2013-2015 Board - Sigrun Jording, Lorna Lesperance, Cleve Bryant, Mimi Johnson, and Elena Correia |
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Joan Cartwright
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Joan Cartwright, Founder, and Executive Director is a veteran jazz and blues singer, composer, author, historian educator, and producer.
My goal is to teach and bring awareness about the lives, contributions, and joy brought to the global society by musicians who have made a difference no matter what circumstances they had to overcome. - Diva JC
Joan Cartwright is an inspiration, a role model, a brilliant educational visionary, and a spicy addition to this journey called life. - Lydia Harris
2011 Awards - Spirit of Excellence Music Leader of the Year (ABWA); Pea'ce Award (WOW); Quiet Storm (WPC)
Workshops, Clinics, and Lectures
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Become a Member online or mail check for the level you choose:
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Sigrun Jording was born in Germany with Scandinavian roots. Today, she lives in Holland. Truly gifted, she started making music at four years old. She studied the classical piano for many years but at the age of 17, she fell in love with the saxophone and with jazz music. She went to Holland to study music in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. She studied at the famous Berklee College of Music with Bill Pierce, Georges Garsone, Phil Wilson, Casey Scheuerell, and others. Sigrun Jording works as a freelance musician and has played at national and international clubs and festivals. She has performed with Michiel Borstlap, Loet van der Lee, Jasper Soffers, Gulli Gudmundsson Cyriel Directie, Marius Beets, Thomas Winter Anderson, Guus Bakker, Tine Schneider, Henk Sprenger, Elvis Sergo, Lydia van Dam, Anne Chris, Saskia Laroo, Dave King, Charlie Mariano, Allan Harris and others.
(www.sigrunjording.nl)
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National President Lorna Lesperance is a retired teacher, musician, composer, artist, and entrepreneur taught music at Parkway Middle School of the Performing Arts, since 1991. She is a dedicated teacher, who inspires, mentors, and guides young people to find their purpose in life. She studied vocal music at the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where she performed and recorded many classical works. Lorna received a BS and MA degree in Vocal Music, Music Education, and Special Education from New York University. Her career path almost changed, while working as a Librarian Trainee at the Rogers and Hammerstein Archives at Lincoln Center. She decided to continue on the teacher career path but gained extensive knowledge in the history of recorded music. Her interest in jazz led her to Jazzmobile, where she studied Jazz piano and theory with Sharon Freeman and Ramsey Lewis. |
After leaving NYU, Lorna worked in the New York City school system as a Special Ed teacher. She was Team Leader for 10 Special Ed classes, coordinating the Special Olympics and Special Art Shows, in Brooklyn. She performed plays and puppet shows with her students. In Florida, she founded the Children of the Caribbean Arts Center, in Lauderhill. She served as Executive Director for twelve years, receiving grant funding for operations from Broward Cultural Affairs. The center offered classes in Music, Dance, Art, Theatre, and Caribbean Folklore. The two most memorable experiences of her career were presenting a plaque to the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. at Riverside Church, in New York City and performing with Harry Belafonte, in New York, and at City Center in Coral Springs. |
Cleve Bryant |
Vice President Cleveland Bryant Jr., known as Cleve, is a retired educator, and a dedicated supporter of jazz music. He grew up in Connecticut, is the father of a 29-year-old son, and was married for 28 years. For over three decades, Cleve was an educator. He taught English at the middle and high school levels and literature and writing at the collegiate level. He was a high school administrator and at a K-8 school in South Florida. Also, Cleve served at schools in New York, Louisiana, and Washington, DC.
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Cleve's other career is freelance photography, since the late 70s. For three years, he was a medical photographer. Cleve's photography brought him to the attention of WIJSF's director. He photographed and videotaped WIJSF performances and events, all the while paying dues and keeping his membership current. As Vice President, Cleve will support our new president Lorna Lesperance in furthering the causes espoused by WIJSF. He will continue to provide photographic and video coverage of WIJSF events.
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Mimi Johnson |
Secretary Mimi Johnson was born in the Bronx, NY, and resides in Atlanta, GA. She is the President and CEO of Caustic Entertainment Group that operates a recording studio and produces and distributes original music CDs of various artists. She has traveled the world gracing stages with her powerful voice, engaging rhymes, and captivating stage presence. She has packed out many venues with Hiphop ~ Soul group Caustic Dames, where she performs as the lead vocalist. MUSIC is her true gift and she stops at NOTHING to share it with the World! |
Mimi Johnson is THE TRIPLE THREAT! and she inspires all true lovers of music and entertainment! Singing, Dancing, and Acting are her true loves and specialties on stage! Mimi fills the void of the vocals of the grown women in the music industry such as Phyllis Hyman, Cheryl Lynn, and Alison Williams and she will instill the greatness of true music and epic entertainment into your Life, Heart, and Soul.
R&B ~ SOUL JAZZ SENSATION, ACTRESS, DANCER, SPOKES MODEL, PLAYWRIGHT, TV/RADIO PERSONALITY is what she is...ENJOY!
WOMAN CD is available at www.cdbaby.com/cd/mimijohnson
Mimi Johnson's Website
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Elena Correia |
Treasurer Elena Correia is from San Diego, CA. She received her Master of Music from The Juilliard School and her Bachelor of Music from San Diego State University. She has performed with the Palm Beach Opera, Corpus Christi Symphony, Aspen Opera Theater Center, Juilliard Opera Theater, San Diego State Opera Theater, Sarasota Opera, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and Cobb Symphony Orchestra.
Ms. Correia has been a member of the master classes of Gerard Souzay, Evelyn Lear, Janet Bookspan, Muriel Costa-Greenspon and Hakan Hagegard, and Jack Harrold. She was asked to perform at Memorial Concert for Harrold at Merkin Hall alongside Ms. Elizabeth Futral. Among her numerous awards is First Place Winner of Classical Productions Award in Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, First prizes in the prestigious Graz (Austria) Meistersinger Competition, the NATS Competition, and the San Diego District of the Metropolitan Opera Competition.
Highlights of her operatic roles include Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Violetta in La Traviata, Suor Osmina in Suor Angelica, the Second Lady in The Magic Flute, and Stella in The Tales of Hoffmann. While performing the role of the Foreign Woman in the Consul, with IVAI in Israel, Ms. Correia was asked to learn and cover the role of Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia and performed the role in dress rehearsals to much acclaim by Maestro Martin Isepp.
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In 2001, she made her debut at Palm Beach Opera as Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto. Recently, her performances within the past several years include several recitals in Barcelona, Spain, Soloist with the Coral Springs Symphony, Hallandale Symphony, and Soprano soloist, for The Messiah at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.
Ms. Correia is now scheduled to give orchestral concerts, and recitals throughout South Florida in the coming year, as well as a special concert for Autism Awareness with her band J.E.T., at Pine Crest Concert Hall November 5, 2011, in conjunction with the celebration of their second CD release.
Ms. Correia, who sang three solo pieces on the Beyond the Tribes album with the Klezmer Company Orchestra, has won an Independent Grammy in 2009 for Best Klezmer Album. Recent performances with The Klezmer Company Orchestra include Eissey Theater, Parker Playhouse, & Boca Amphitheater with standing ovations at all concerts. As a result of being a winner in the Classical Productions competition, Ms. Correia was awarded her own solo recital in Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, set for the fall of 2014.
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International President Cettina Donato (2012-2014) was born in Messina, Sicily. She played drums at 6, and studied classical piano at the Conservatory of Messina, since 9. She graduated in Classical Piano, Jazz Piano, and in Musical Didactic. She studied Classical Composition and graduated in Psychology from the University of Messina. She received two Masters in Special Didactic. Cettina plays classical and jazz music with Giovanni Mazzarino, Salvatore Bonafede, Ray Santisi, Joanne Brackeen, Greg Hopkins, Adam Nussbaum, Billy Harper, Matthew Nicholl, Ron Savage, Dario Deidda, Roberto Gatto, Dado Moroni, Orazio Maugeri, Bob Mintzer, Ken Cervenka, Marcello Pellitteri, Marco Panascia, Ron Reid, and Garrison Fewell. Cettina published her first CD Pristine on the Wide Sound Label. She won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music of Boston and graduated in December 2011 in Jazz Composition. She performs as bandleader and conductor in Italy and the U.S at Berklee College of Music, Berklee Performance Center, Jordan Hall, Kendall Square, Lilypad Jazz Club, Ryles Jazz Club, Outpost 186, Eastern Standard, Boston School of Wine, Boston Common, and Spectacle Island. |
She received the Carla Bley Award and is a JRR artist of Berklee College of Music. She performed with the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Ballet Company. She performed at Umbria Jazz Festival (2010-12), accompanist for Donna McElroy's voice classes; Piazza Jazz Festival, Non Solo Jazz Festival, Berklee In The City, Berklee Summer, Note D'Estate Festival, Mantova Music Festival, Vatican Radio, Women In Jazz, European Music Festival. Her album Crescendo released in 2013, on the Jazzy Record Label and her composition Lost & Found is on the Women in Jazz South Florida Music Collection Volume III. www.cettinadonato.com
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WIJSF BOARD 2012-2013 |
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Amanda Sedgwick
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2011-2012 BOARD
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International President Amanda Sedgwick (2009-2012) was born in Stockholm, Sweden. She grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano and singing at an early age. When she picked up the alto saxophone at age 13, she fell in love with jazz and has been devoted to learning and exploring this art form ever since.
Amanda has released three records under her name. Her latest CD Delightness, which features her own composing and arranging skills, was released in June 2009 and received highly favorable reviews in Scandinavian jazz magazines and was chosen as one of 25 best CDs of 2009 by W. Royal Stokes of the Jazz Journalists Association.
Amanda has played with Walter Booker, Rolf Ericsson, Hotep Galeta, Jeremy Pelt, Mike DiRubbo, Willie Jones III, Johnny O'Neal, Sacha Perry, Dwayne Clemons, Ingrid Jensen, as well as most of Sweden's jazz elite.
After living and working in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Atlanta, GA, where she was the woodwinds instructor at Morehouse College for two years, Amanda recently moved to New York City. She continues to perform in Sweden, where she recently toured with the renowned pianist and composer Freddie Redd.
An eloquent spokesperson whose captivating voice we hope to hear more often. - Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
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Christine Vitolo, Esq.
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Christine Vitolo, Esq., National President is a retired attorney in the State of Florida. She is an administrator of two Bowling Centers in Jupiter and Port St. Lucie. Vitolo is a board member of Funding Arts Broward (FAB!) and a Founding Member and strong supporter of WIJSF, Inc. from its inception.
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Joseph Mustipher
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Joseph Mustipher, Vice President has over 30 years of experience in all facets of marketing, sales management, and training. He brings leadership and vision to those he trains in sales and marketing organizations and consulting practices. Joseph provided expertise as a consultant and trainer with his own firm, Rosens Prestige Tire & Auto, and during his career in full-time positions with several major corporations in the Automotive Sector markets.
Joseph developed and managed education, sales, and marketing programs; created sales education programs for Bridgestone Firestone LLC to Customized training programs for Ampac Incs Tire Pro University, and American Tire Distributors Starz program.
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As the Senior Sales and Education Specialist for Bridgestone Firestone LLC, he was responsible for the development and implementation of How to market, sell and promote brand name performance tires for Canada and the USA. He wrote the Sales Staff Education Program that resulted in double-digit sales increases and brand awareness in Bridgestone brand performance tires and sales.
He served as a Regional Sales Trainer for Pirelli Tire Corporation. Through his efforts, Pirelli developed lucrative dealer networks in the Southeast USA.
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Mimi Johnson
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Mimi Johnson, Secretary, was born in the Bronx, NY, and resides in Atlanta, GA. She is the President and CEO of Caustic Entertainment Group that operates a recording studio and produces and distributes original music CDs of various artists. She has traveled the world gracing stages with her powerful voice, engaging rhymes, and captivating stage presence. She has packed out many venues with Hiphop ~ Soul group Caustic Dames, where she performs as the lead vocalist. MUSIC is her true gift and she stops at NOTHING to share it with the World!
Mimi Johnson is "W O M A N" and she inspires all true lovers of real music, filling the void of the vocals of the grown women in the music industry.
In 2009, Mimi released her first solo project entitled WOMAN. She is currently working on her second solo CD release entitled SOCIAL BUTTERFLY My Mothers Songs, featuring the compositions of Jazz and Blues World Renowned Vocalist and Composer, Diva Joan Cartwright, her solo sophomore CD is bound for platinum success.
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Vanessa M. Lowe
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Vanessa M. Lowe, CPA, Treasurer is a Senior Tax Analyst with MEDNAX, Inc. in Sunrise, FL. Previously employed with JM Family Enterprises, Inc. as a Senior Tax Accountant, RailAmerica as a Tax Accountant, Gerald Stevens as a Tax Accountant; Templeton Worldwide, Inc., and Senior Fund Accountant/Assistant Supervisor. She is an Adjunct Professor at Florida Memorial College 2003-2005
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Sienna Club HOA Treasurer 2007-present
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NABA Miami Chapter Advisor 2010-present
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NABA Southern Region Treasurer 2008-2010
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NABA Miami Chapter Treasurer 2006-2008
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NABA Miami Chapter, various other board positions 2001-2006
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WIJSF Members November 2009
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2010-2011 Board
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2007-2009 Board
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Message from President
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Dr. Anita Davis-Defoe, President
Born in North Carolina, I lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida and St. Thomas, V.I., Anita Davis-Defoe is a Ph.D. in Management with a concentration in Human Resource and Organization Development. I have come to understand and accept that writing is my passion and divine purpose.
Working to empower women and girls is Anita's focus for her book, A Woman's Guide to Soulful Living - Seven Keys to Life and Work Success. Associate Editor with the Caribbean Voice, a South Florida newspaper, Anita also writes an advice column for She-Caribbean, a St. Lucian magazine that is sold in 16 islands, Canada and London. She is a television host on Caribbean Weekly, produced by the Florida and Jamaican-based Duke of Earle Group.
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Karen Black, Esquire
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Lydia Harris, Vice President
Letter to County Commissioners
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Sandra Nobles, Secretary
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Sherry Rudolph, Secretary |
Janice Boursiquot, Treasurer
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Vanessa M. Lowe, Treasurer |
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