Michael G. Kernahan is Checking in with Dr. B Visit Dr. B's website - www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Michael G Kernahan was born in 1947 in Palo Seco Trinidad and Tobago. He moved from Palo Seco to Manzanilla and later to St. James in the north of the island of Trinidad. In St. James, Michael joined the famous Tripoli Steel Orchestra, later touring with them through the Caribbean and to Expo ‘67 in Montreal, Canada. The orchestra performed with success returning the next year to perform at the 1968 “Man and his World”. Liberace, the late world famous pianist, heard the orchestra and contracted them to tour with him. After the Liberace tour, Michael and the orchestra continued to tour and gather accolades across the United States including being nominated for a Grammy record under Warner Brothers, “The Esso Trinidad Steelband”. On the orchestra’s return to Trinidad, Michael continued performing with the band, utilizing his technical and artistic talents with the country’s top artists and delving into the art of steelpan making and tuning. Later Michael and a few of the members of Tripoli returned to the United States and eventually became the “21st Century Steelband” based in Michigan and later in Miami, again receiving standing ovations at all their performances. Michael Kernahan taking the role of captain, tuner, arranger and performer. Michael Kernahan has won kudos across the world for the beautiful sound produced by his instruments. He is in demand to build and tune steel pans for groups across the United States and the Caribbean. He received a Florida Folk Heritage Award in 2005 and continues to share his art, talent and music with the world. https://dos.fl.gov/cultural/programs/florida-folklife-program/apprenticeship-program/apprenticeship-publications/michael-kernahan-a-life-in-pan/ https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/217488?m=false https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc1TfaXMlPI https://www.npr.org/2005/03/04/3042000/liberace-the-trinidad-tripoli-steelband https://dos.fl.gov/cultural/programs/florida-folklife-program/florida-folklife-40th-anniversary/the-stories-that-speak-for-us/michael-kernahan/ https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts-culture/kendall-musician-mike-kernahan-brought-steel-pan-music-to-the-world-11146179/ https://historymiami.org/south-florida-folklife-center/artist-in-residence-programs/21st-century-steel-band/ Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

Shenelle Abraham-Ndiaye is Checking in with Dr. B. Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Born in the beautiful islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Shenelle has incorporated her culture within her mathematics classroom and research. She merges mathematics and music within her lessons, which transforms her classroom into a unique experience. She has been teaching since 2013 and is now gifted certified in Georgia and College Board certified in AP Precalculus and AP Statistics. Since then, she has been “Teacher of the Year” three times and was the recipient of the “Florida’s Best and Brightest” Grant. Currently, she is a doctoral student in Georgia State University’s Teaching and Learning PhD program, with a research interest in The Impact of Using Virtual Reality as an Experiential Learning Tool in Mathematics Education. She holds a Masters degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Florida and two Bachelor’s degrees, in Mathematics and Music, from Florida Memorial University, where she was the valedictorian of her graduating class. She has contributed to the music education field within Trinidad and Tobago, by organizing festivals and workshops, in which youth of her nation are exposed to international music experts. This gained her program the prestigious Hummingbird Medal (Gold) which is one of the highest culture awards within her country. Such success in the music education field has inspired her to expand her national contributions to mathematics education. She has decided to use her passion for culture, music, and mathematics to make future contributions to the Ethnomathematics field. Her ultimate goal is to transform mathematics classroom, to a more relatable and culturally inclusive space, where students can find their identity and voice within mathematics. Shenelle speaks about using music, culture and technology as a teaching tool for higher level mathematics; creation of new content using virtual reality to develop experiential learners; her doctoral journey at Georgia State University; balancing all aspects of life; the inspiration and support of family and bringing excitement and joy into high school mathematics. Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

Carlon Lyons is Checking in with Dr. B. Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyoujoyandrise.com Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Carlon Lyons began his musical journey at age 9 at the Southern Marines Steel Band Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago, under the director Mr. Malamo Joseph. Carlon’s first performance was in 1994 at the National Panorama Competition held in Trinidad yearly. His love for the art form grew and he began taking part in competitions and events. In 1997 he placed 1st in the “Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival” Steel Pan Solo Category playing Chopin’s Nocturne in E♭major (Op. 9 No. 2). Carlon later joined the Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra focusing on the steel pan with his new musical family. After completing his Secondary School education, he was awarded a scholarship to Florida Memorial University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree under the direction of Dr. Dawn K Batson. He left his home to go on to become a musician, educator and performer. In 2006 Carlon was offered a job as a Steel pan music teacher during the summer break at the ‘Sol Fest Performance program’ held in Key West, Florida. In Key West he performed at local bars, clubs and hotels, The Inn at Key West, The Island Dog, Sloppy Joe and Irish Kevins to name a few. He also played at Mallory Square as a street performer. After completing his degree, he moved to North Broward and worked as DJ and musician at the Mardi Gras Casino for many years. He retired as a DJ and returned to Trinidad to live and become a businessman and entrepreneur. In 2017, he started his company Carlon Lyons Music Group, where he teaches and produces music to anyone with a desire for music education and performance. Carlon Lyons https://carlonlyonsmusicgroup.com/ speaks about his many experiences and the people and entities that have influenced his journey. Southern Marines Steel Orchestra https://www.facebook.com/p/Southern-Marines-Steel-Orchestra-100063570849663/ Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra https://www.facebook.com/Skiffle/ All Stars Steel Orchestra Curry Tabasco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xg_Z0IWNGk Union Clayton Bay Secondary School https://www.facebook.com/p/Union-Claxton-Bay-Secondary-100084515713264/ Orville Wolsey Florida Memorial University Nora Revelin Steel Your Heart Band https://keysweekly.com/42/steel-your-heart-pan-band-embraces-goombay-festival-vibe/ George Victory https://www.keysnews.com/paradise/george-victory-key-west-is-like-trinidad-without-the-mountains/article_6997c5b0-856d-11ee-aa1c-f3b8413dd9ad.html Sol Fest https://solfestfl.com/ Trinweld Inc. https://trinweldinc.com/ YTEPP Limited https://www.ytepp.edu.tt/ Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

Sherrese Moise is Checking in with Dr. B. Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Sherrese Moise is one of the most successful and influential producers working in the film and television industry today. Sherrese was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and works in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Sherrese, launched her company as the Managing Director & Producer of SM Elevation LLC, a film, television and event consulting company. As a consulting producer, Sherrese continues to serve as producer for Bobbcat Films in a role she has maintained over the past 10 years, an Event Manager for American Black film festival for the past 21 years and Talent Logistics Producer for the past 20 years. Sherrese is currently the supervising producer for episodes of the reality docu series “Love and Hip Hop (Atlanta) (VH1), “ Couples Retreat” (VH1); and Girls Cruise (VH1). She was also the Supervising producer on Bobbcat Films TV series “ Last Call” and “ Mann and Wife” Bounce TV. Sherrese’s television film producing credits include the 2024 Hallmark Movie “ Sense and Sensibility”, “Life Size 2” (Disney), “Bad Dad Rehab”, Girlfriends Getaway and Girlfriends Getaway 2, and episodes of “ Rickey Smiley for Real” for TV One network. Her passion for education and service over the years has remained consistent and in 2022, Sherrese graduated TEXAS A&M LAW SCHOOL and has recently incorporated legal consultancy into her strategic entertainment business focusing in Intellectual Property related to special projects . Her clients include celebrities, Film Commissions and International tourism authorities, international businesses, and US and Middle East based entertainment and non-profit organizations. Sherrese speaks about the importance of volunteering, mentorship and living life with integrity. Lions Club https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/club-locator Roger M. Bobb http://www.bobbcatfilms.com/roger-m-bobb/ Scott Sternburg https://www.ssprods.com/about Texas A&M University School of Law https://law.tamu.edu https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/sense-and-sensibility Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram Checking in with Dr. B

Gerard Boucaud is Checking in with Dr. B. Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Gerard Boucaud is a highly skilled and experienced professional with over two decades of experience in audit, information technology consulting, and music. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Gerard has a master’s degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in music, and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems. Gerard has been involved with music for many years as a performer, arranger, teacher, and conductor. He has toured Europe, the Caribbean, and North America as a performer with various steelpan orchestras and ensembles. He has prepared musical arrangements for and worked with organizations and groups such as Trinity College Pan Ensemble, Arima Senior Comprehensive, Bishop Anstey High School, MAST Academy, Florida Memorial Steelband, Trinidad All Stars, Bowling Green State University, and Melo Groove Steel Orchestra. Gerard’s interest in using the Steelpan for the teaching of music led him to work with institutions such as Miami Dade County Public Schools and the College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago where he developed and taught academic programs in Music Business, Music Theory, Music History and Ensemble Performance. He has conducted workshops and training sessions on the methodology for teaching and arranging music for the Steelpan and has been responsible for academic operations, business planning and budgets for various programs, including HAVEN Academy and Melo Groove Steelband Academy. Gerard pursues various professional interests outside of music. He is a Realtor, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and a Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer. Outside of his professional interests he is an avid traveler. Gerard speaks about balance in work, in life, in giving and in receiving. He also touches on the joys and hardships of travel, on entrepreneurship and the courage needed to achieve and reach set goals. Trinidad Carnival https://visittrinidad.tt Iceland Melo Groove Steelband Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

The Black Yoda - Leon "Foster" Thomas is Checking in with Dr. B Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/ Leon Foster Thomas is a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso. His music is a blend of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and eclectic meld all his own. Critics laud him as “the next big thing on his instrument”, “...an enthralling improvisor...” (All About Jazz); “...masterful with impeccable musicianship” (When Steel Talks); and “a benevolent wizard” (Venice Magazine). Leon’s deft and ambitious command of the steel pan has transcended beyond the instrument’s novel stereotype to being featured at world stages such as New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts (Miami), Moscow International House of Music, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Perm International Jazz Festival (Russia), Miami Downtown Jazz Festival, International Festival of Contemporary Culture (Kazakhstan), and Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival. He has also worked with artists such as: Hugh Masekela, Randy Brecker, John Daversa, Sammy Figueroa, Vince Mendoza, Richard Smallwood, Ky-Mani Marley, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Dolly Parton, Igor Butman, John Beasley, and many more. March 2023 marked the release of Calasanitus, the album by Leon Foster Thomas. As one of the leading steel pan jazz virtuosos in the world, Foster has gained global recognition via a plethora of accolades including winning both the solo and duet competitions at the World Steelband Music Festival, as well as releasing a series of critically acclaimed albums, most recently Metamorphosis on respected label Ropadope Records. Now he is set to showcase his inimitable talent once again, with a new body of recorded work that encapsulates the intricacy, energy, and sonic brilliance that Leon Foster Thomas creates on his instrument of choice. The new album Calasanitus, described as a book of songs dedicated to his dear mother, Hillouise Calasanitus Foster, showcases a unique blend of Caribbean influence and spirit evolving from Foster’s Trinidadian heritage, combined with dexterous and innovative jazz complexity. The compositions generate an unmistakable vibe born out of the traditions of the West Indies and seamlessly incorporate the discipline and sensibilities of modern jazz music alongside this. The result is a sound that is beautifully calming and vitally energetic in equal measure. Leon has a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida Memorial University and a Master of Music degree at Florida International University. He is currently working on his Ph.D. at Royal Holloway University of London researching Caribbean Jazz in the Anglophone and Francophone Caribbean. He continues to perform at festivals and concerts around the world, as well as conducting lectures and master classes at various educational and cultural institutions. Leon Foster Thomas Leon speaks about his journey in music, his compositions such as: I Am an Immigrant from his “Calasanitus” album Musicians such as: Ron Reid Ken “Professor” Philmore Len “Boogsie” Sharpe Marcus Swartz Bobby McFerrin Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

Each day I try to be a better version of myself - Le;Roi Simmonds Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/ Le`Roi Simmonds is a steel pan artist from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with a Bachelor's Degree in Pop Music from Florida Memorial University, and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from New York University. At the age of ten, Le`Roi started playing the steel pan with the Downstreet Pandemonium Steel Orchestra. Today, as an adult he specializes in performance, arranging, and education. Le`Roi presently works for the VI Superior Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra as an Instructor/Arranger where he and his colleagues are always working hard mentoring the youth of the Virgin Islands using the steel pan, to keep children off the streets and in school. With over 20 years of experience, Le`Roi has traveled around the Caribbean and the United States, winning various awards, such as the Virginia Panorama Caribbean Festival, Florida Memorial University Research and Performing Arts Day in Miami, the Music USA Festival in Orlando, and the Trinidad and Tobago National Junior Steel Band Panorama to name a few. Some of Simmonds recorded works include steel bands such as the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra (St. Thomas), E. Benjamin Oliver Steel Owls (St. Thomas), Florida Memorial Steel Band (Miami), and St. Margaret’s Steel Orchestra (Trinidad). Le’Roi Simmonds is the Steelpan Director at the University of the Virgin Islands and teaches at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School in St. Thomas USVI. NLCB PanoGrama 2021 | Semis - Leroi Simmonds https://www.facebook.com/reel/844649540642994 Le’Roi speaks about: Pan in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Musicians - Leon “Foster” Thomas, Collins Peters, Melton Mustafa, Iman Pascall, Paul Charles, Kareem Thompson, Shenelle Abraham Florida Memorial University NYU Jazz Program The founder of Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, Chief Judge of the Virgin Islands Territorial Court St. Thomas Verne Hodge Music in the USVI: Dion Parson University of the Virgin Islands Yard Vibes Jam Band Schools: Charlotte Amalie High School Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.

Freddy Harris III - Music is Life Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb “Freddy Harris III is an award-winning musician and music producer. He first made a name for himself as a steelpan player for orchestras and artists. He is the son of popular Trinidadian guitarist, Freddie Harris Jr, and has been playing in groups as a steelpan player since the age of just six, winning many awards for his musical skills. He was born in New York City in 1980 and moved with his parents to Trinidad & Tobago that same year. He received early musical training from his father - guitarist and arranger for Harry Belafonte who also toured with Ashford & Simpson, Peter Tosh, The Mighty Sparrow, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. Freddy began playing the steel pan at the age of four. At six, he moved to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and began playing with Rising Stars Steel Orchestra. In 1990 he returned to the US and continued to develop his musical skills. He placed 1st in the 1993 Miami Florida Carnival Pan Solo Competition, 3rd in the 1995 Baltimore Maryland Carnival Pan Solo Competition and performed at the Manhattan Center. In 1998 Freddy graduated as the valedictorian from New York City Repertory Company High School and received a full scholarship from Something Positive, Inc. to attend Florida Memorial University (FMU). At FMU he co-arranged under the direction of Dr. Dawn K. Batson, Director of the FMU Steel Orchestra, later going on to tour with them as their Ambassador. He came 2nd at the Trinidad & Tobago World Steel Orchestra Classics Solo and performed for President Bill Clinton that same year. He has gone on to perform at countless festivals and venues worldwide, including the NAACP 94th Annual Convention Gospel Extravaganza, The Elephant room in Austin, Texas, B.B. King’s in New York, Lincoln Center, and even a private house party for Jerry Seinfield. BET’s 106 & Park, Good Morning America and MTV’s TRL are just a few of the television shows on which this professional musician has featured. Freddy is the owner & arranger of steel orchestra ‘Steel-X-Plosion USA,’ with whom he competed in the New York Panorama. Freddy is also the first steelpan player to hit over a million views on YouTube for his rendition of “Flight of The Bumblebee.” These days you can find Freddy producing, engineering and performing alongside top-name artists. Some of the names he has worked with include Ski Mask The Slump God, Timberland, and Melanie Fiona. He is also known as FH3 beats and has released a number of Steel drum sample packs with Splice.com, as well as original tracks. In 2019, he released 12 steel drum albums and 5 in 2020. He is currently planning to release more music under both Freddy Harris III and FH3 beats, produced and engineered by himself at the famous Steel Xplosion Studios.” www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2012/arrangers/ny/freddy-harris-3.htm accessed 4 August 2023 Checking in with Dr. B, Freddy Harris III speaks about: Trap Music His journey in music The influence of his father - Freddy Harris II Advice for young musicians https://www.facebook.com/p/Freddy-Harris-III-100041518908121/ https://www.tiktok.com/@fh3beats https://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2012/arrangers/ny/freddy-harris-3.htm Thank you for viewing! Visit our Jumpstart Networking Forum at Keep Your Joy and Rise and follow us on Instagram.