A Singers Diverse Landscape
With a chuckle, Ms. Holsey throws her head back as she describes herself. I have been a professional singer for many years whatever kind of music was needed, she says. I just cant tell you how many years. I sang pop, I sang rock, classic, jazz, whatever worked. I have been blessed to be able to do this as a profession. Now I want to give back. The good, old days when she was a young woman really were better, Ms. Holsey says. When I was a kid, we had centers where we learned how to tap dance, we learned vocals and we learned how to build things. We learned all that stuff free because our parents couldnt afford it. Parents today still cant afford it. Even middle- class families cant afford to send their kids to any type of training. With arts out of the schools, what are they going to do? Ms. Holsey commands an unclouded vision of exactly what she intends to do. The mission of our non-profit school, she says, is to assist disenfranchised youth to become positive role models, leaders, exemplary citizens in our community. We will give them structure in a positive environment by teaching the arts. Our classes include singing, dance, theatre, fine arts, recording engineering, musicianship and business management.
What Will the Magnet Be?
How, Ms. Holsey was asked, can her program persuade and attract young people who have a dozen diversions competing for their attention? Everybody needs something to do, she said. The reason some of them are drawn to the violence of gangs is that gangs are their family. After school, their parents are at work and nobody is home. They need something to do. If they were able to gravitate into an area where something is being taught that will appeal to them, they will come. They lack structure, as I said. That is what I am offering. How will she develop a roster? Ms. Holsey presently is criss-crossing the community, talking to parents, talking to young people, and trying to gain permission to address school audiences with her plan. Her grand dream actually is more than theoretical. Her first performers already have staged one production, The Passion Pit, at the Bethel A.M.E. Church at 7900 S. Western Ave., and at 3020 Crenshaw Ave., earlier this month. But they need a permanent home. In a fast-food world, Ms. Holseys first acting troupe is growing restless, she said. And, by the way, she is, too.
For more information, Merlene Holsey can be contacted at 310.677.0272.
