Charleston Gaillard Center Releases Raising the Volume Episodes

FOR RELEASE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 MEDIA CONTACTS: Marcus Amaker Artist-in-Residence mamaker@gaillardcenter.org

Charlton Singleton Artist-in-Residence Emeritus csingleton@gaillardcenter.org GAILLARD CENTER SOCIAL MEDIA: @gaillardcenter @gaillardcenter facebook.com/thegaillardcenter

Charleston Gaillard Center Releases Raising the Volume Episodes XVIII-XXII February 25, 2022 – Charleston, SC – Today the Charleston Gaillard Center released Season Two of Raising the Volume, featuring five new episodes and lesson plans. Featuring conversations on music, race, art, activism, and more, the series is curated by Artists-in-Residence, Marcus Amaker and Charlton Singleton.

In Raising the Volume, Charleston’s Poet Laureate Amaker and Grammy Award winner Singleton explore issues through open, honest dialogue. Each conversation includes an in-depth conversation with local Black leaders, educators, business owners, and artists.

The following episodes and lesson plans were released today: Episode XVIII - Michael Brown details community traditions, inspiration, and conflict resolution.

Topics include his experience as a city councilman, as an advocate in the community, and with the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting.

Episode XIX - Quiana Parler explores passion, goals for the future, and Gullah culture.

Topics include her performing as a child, being a member of Grammy Award-winning Ranky Tanky, and auditioning for American Idol.

Episode XX - Dr. William Melvin Brown analyzes gentrification, equality advocacy, and community outreach.

Topics include his own experience with racial discrimination and his participation in community programs.

Episode XXI - Lonnie Hamilton III describes his experience as a Charleston educator and a politician.

Topics include his education in the 1940s, performing with the Jenkins Orphanage Band, and running for political office.

Episode XII - Techa Smalls-Brown reviews the importance of practicing mindfulness.

Topics include her experience teaching African American history for over ten years, how she handles anger, and how mindfulness generates authenticity.

Marcus Amaker stated "I'm glad this series is back, and I'm happy to be connected to so many inspiring and motivated community members."

Charlton Singleton noted, “Raising the Volume continues to showcase and celebrate our older and younger community leaders. Like previous episodes each person that we have interviewed has a unique story of their individual trials and triumphs, but they also have a very common theme of uplifting our community, which is something that they have always strived for. As always, I am grateful to the Gaillard Center for their commitment to this series and to our community.”

Download photos here.

Each video is accompanied by a lesson plan for both middle and high school students. The Gaillard Center’s on-staff educator, Sterling deVries, will facilitate cross-school virtual meetings for students in different areas to discuss the content of the interviews. Twenty-two lesson plans are available now at gaillardcenter.org.

The lesson plans highlight the following interdisciplinary themes: global awareness; civic literacy; working creatively with others.

Watch the episodes and download the plans here. All videos and lesson plans are available for free as part of the Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program.

Previously released episodes include: Episode I - A conversation on music, racism, art, activism, and more with Marcus Amaker & Charlton Singleton.

Episode II - A conversation on Charleston activism, past and present with former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Charleston for 33 years, Judge Arthur McFarland.

Episode III - A conversation on awareness and action with the Executive Director of YWCA, LaVanda Brown.

Episode IV - A conversation on growing up in Charleston and life as a journalist and author with Herb Frazier.

Episode V - A conversation on arts management with Dr. Karen Chandler.

Episode VI - A conversation on The Jazz Initiative and Jenkins Orphanage Band with Dr. Karen Chandler.

Episode VII - A conversation on his life and the health of our Black community with Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell.

Episode VIII - A conversation on entrepreneurship with Andrea Davis.

Episode IX - A conversation on finding your voice with Dr. Kylon Jerome Middleton.

Episode X - A conversation on music and life with The War And Treaty.

Episode XI - Kellen Gray examines classical conducting.

Episode XII - Marcus Amaker and Charlton Singleton talk about music, joy, and memory.

Episode XIII - Regina Duggins discusses her role as a mentor, teacher, and community leader.

Episode XIV - Dr. Bernard Powers analyzes life and Black history.

Episode XV - Jirah Perkins explores art and being you.

Episode XVI - Osei Chandler describes discovering your Kuumba.

Episode XVII - KJ Kearney highlights Black Food Fridays.

Funding for this program is provided in part by The Martha & John M. Rivers Performance Hall Foundation and Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. ABOUT MARCUS AMAKER

Marcus Amaker was named Charleston, SC’s first Poet Laureate in 2016. He’s also the award-winning graphic designer of a national music journal, an accomplished electronic musician, and a mentor to hundreds of students.

His poetry has been presented by The Kennedy Center, and has appeared in Departures magazine, Chicago Tribune, PBS Newshour, and several other publications. In 2019, he won a Governor’s Arts award in South Carolina.

His poetry has been studied in classrooms and has been interpreted for ballet, jazz, modern dance, opera and theater. Marcus has recorded three albums with Grammy Award winning drummer and producer Quentin E. Baxter of Ranky Tanky.

His latest book is The Birth of All Things, from Free Verse Press. He’s currently the Gaillard Center’s artist-in-residence.

MUSIC tapeloop.bandcamp.com NEW BOOK, VINYL AND MORE newpoetrybook.com WEBSITE marcusamaker.com ABOUT CHARLTON SINGLETON A native of Awendaw, SC, Charlton Singleton began his musical studies at the age of three on the piano. He would then go on to study the organ, violin, cello, and the trumpet throughout elementary, middle, and high school. In 1994, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from South Carolina State University. Since that time, he has taught music at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as being an adjunct faculty member at the College of Charleston. In 2008 he co-founded and became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra; an 18-piece jazz ensemble of some of the finest professional musicians in the Southeast and the resident big band in Charleston, SC. Mr. Singleton is also the organist and choir director at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Charleston, SC. In November of 2016 he was named the inaugural Artist in Residence at the recently renovated Gaillard Center in downtown Charleston. He remained in this position until July 2019; at that point he was named Artist in Residence Emeritus. In this position he continues to lead the Summer Youth Jazz Orchestra Camp as well as lead the “Jazz Through the Ages” assembly, which attracts a capacity crowd of students at the Gaillard Center.

As a performer, Charlton leads his own ensembles that vary in size and style. He has performed in France, Great Britain, Scotland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, The Netherlands, as well as many great cities throughout the United States. He is a founding member of an ensemble called Ranky Tanky. The group is a quintet that interprets the sounds of Gullah from the Southeast Coast of the United States. In 2017 Ranky Tanky reached the top of the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon Contemporary Jazz charts with their self-titled debut recording. In 2019 they accomplished the same feat with the release of their

sophomore effort, “Good Time”, which recently won the 2019 Grammy Award for “Best Regional Roots Album”. Ranky Tanky was also recognized and honored with a resolution by the South Carolina House of Representatives for their achievements in the music industry. In 2021 Charlton was the recipient of the SC Governor’s Award, which honors arts organizations, patrons, artists, members of the business community, and government entities who maximize their roles as innovators, supporters, and advocates for the arts. It is the highest individual honor for the arts in the state of South Carolina.

In addition to performing, he is in demand as a speaker, clinician, composer, and arranger. He has also shared the stage with and/or worked with some of the most talented entertainers in the world, including Bobby McFerrin, Ruby Dee, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Houston Person, Darius Rucker, Fred Wesley, and Cyrus Chestnut to name a few. Outside of music and entertainment, he, and his wife, MaryJo, are the proud parents of Shalamar, D’Marcus, and K’Leb, as well as their pets...Sassy, Jango, MoJo, Pumpkin, and Ginger.

WEBSITE charltonsingleton.com INSTAGRAM @csmusician FACEBOOK @charltonpsingleton ABOUT STERLING DEVRIES Sterling deVries, the Director of Education at the Charleston Gaillard Center, is dedicated to supporting the educational community through the arts. Following fifteen years as a classroom teacher, deVries builds on the knowledge that arts are an integral part of classroom content. Her Master’s degree in Arts in Education changed her approach to teaching and resulted in a student-centered, arts-enhanced method of content mastery.

ABOUT MICHAEL BROWN Mike Brown is connected to the people of North Charleston and the challenges they face every day. Mike grew up in public housing before moving to three interdependent communities (Union Heights, Howard Heights, and Windsor); he not only understands the struggle of many of the constituents in North Charleston, he’s lived it. Those experiences have fashioned his perspective and will assist him in serving the constituents of North Charleston. Mike has over 19 years in leadership experience as well as over 20 years in public service. Mike has transcended from the obstacles of a failing public school system, crime plagued neighborhoods and limited resources, to running a successful small business and being self employed by age 23. Mike’s focus is on addressing crime, academic engagement and improving economic opportunity for all.

WEBSITE mikebrowndistrictone.wordpress.com/about/ ABOUT QUIANA PARLER

Quiana Parler, is the lead vocalist for the critically-acclaimed, Grammy award winning quintet, Ranky Tanky. While a Harleyville native, Quiana relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1998, after beginning her professional career a few years prior singing for Calvin Gilmore of “The Carolina Opry” and eventually becoming one of the most sought after vocalists in the Low Country.

In 2003, her placement in the Top 48 of the hit TV show, American Idol, led to her being a featured vocalist on numerous national tours and sharing the stage with some of the country’s most well-known artists including Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, Keith Sweat, Clay Aiken, and Miranda Lambert. Quiana has also recorded with some of the music industry’s most respected producers like Walter Afanasieff and David Foster.

In addition to her world-wide touring experience, Quiana has appeared on broadcast programs including NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Tyra, NBC’s Today, and many more.

Quiana continues to live in the Charleston area with her son and as a lead vocalist of the Grammy Award winning band Ranky Tanky who was recently recognized and honored with a resolution by SC House of Representatives for their achievements in the music industry.

WEBSITE quianaparler.com INSTAGRAM @quianaparler FACEBOOK @quianaparlerlive TWITTER @qpaler ABOUT DR. WILLIAM MELVIN BROWN Dr. Brown, a native Charlestonian, was elected to the MUSC Board of Trustees in 2018 as the medical profession representative from the Sixth Congressional District. Dr. Brown is a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and after years of service and two sea tours in the Navy, he returned to Charleston to teach Naval Science at The Citadel. While at The Citadel, he earned a master’s degree in Education and Biology and then went on to graduate from the MUSC College of Medicine in 2002. After graduation, he returned to full active duty in the U.S. Navy as a physician. During his twenty years of service, Dr. Brown received the Navy Commendation Medal six times, the Navy Achievement Medal twice, a Presidential Citation, and two Battle Efficiency ribbons. Dr. Brown holds staff privileges at Trident Medical Center and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston as well as the Lexington Medical Center in Columbia. He is an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Owls Whist Club. He sits on the executive boards of the Star Gospel Mission and YESCarolina. Dr. Brown and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Gabriel and Lillian.

ABOUT LONNIE HAMILTON III For more than fifty years, Mr. Lonnie Hamilton, III has dedicated his time and efforts to making Charleston a better place. Former educator, politician and professional musician, he is an alto saxophonist and clarinetist. After touring with the Jenkins Orphanage Bands (he was never a resident) during the mid-1940s, he played with his own band, Lonnie Hamilton and the Diplomats, the signature jazz band in Charleston for decades. Hamilton has been called a legend and the embodiment of Charleston’s rich jazz legacy.

Before he went on to achieve distinction as an educator, celebrated public official and professional musician, Mr. Lonnie Hamilton, III faced humble beginnings. He attended Burke High School, which was the only high school in the area for African American students. Inspired by watching the Jenkins Orphanage Band parade down Spring Street to Broad Street on Saturday afternoons, Mr. Hamilton saw music as the key to his future success. After high school, Mr. Hamilton was offered a music scholarship to attend South Carolina State College in Orangeburg.

He played music throughout his time in College and went on to serve as the Band Director at Sims High School for two years before being invited to serve as Band Director at Bonds-Wilson High School – a position he held for 20 years.

Mr. Hamilton’s Diplomats was the house band for a very popular jazz nightclub he owned on Charleston’s North Market Street (it later moved to the 2nd floor of Henry’s Restaurant) in the 1970’s through the early 1990’s. Mr. Hamilton performed in 2010 with the Charleston Jazz Initiative Legends Band and is also featured on its first CD recording.

ABOUT TECHA SMALLS-BROWN Techa Smalls-Brown is an artist in every sense of the word. Using her gifts to add beauty wherever she goes. Techa is a native of Charleston but grew up in Trenton, NJ. Techa has been an educator for 20+ years with the Charleston County School District. As a teacher, she has taught exceptional children, African-American studies at the secondary level, and Elementary Montessori. She is also endorsed as a Gifted and Talented Teacher. In 2019, she completed the Omega Institute’s Transformative Educational Leadership program (TEL). The program centers around equity and inclusion, mindfulness, bringing systemic change to K through 12 school systems, and social-emotional learning.

As a result of this work, she is equipped to integrate mindfulness-based social-emotional techniques in academics and focus on equity and ethical learning in school systems.

She is serving a second term on the newly formed Historic Preservation Commission for Charleston County.

Techa is a true visionary. She holds an M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Trauma and Resilience in educational settings from Concordia University, Nebraska. Currently, Techa is a Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

With this degree, Techa seeks to be a change agent to help transform the lives of others. Techa is a facilitator for the Millennium Forum, which is an online platform that brings together educators from all over the world to create a community of support and educator well-being. She is also a Meditation Teacher and Still Soul Studio in Charleston, South Carolina.

Techa, along with her co-host Jen Savage created the Namasteach Podcast, which focuses on educator well-being and self-care.

Recently, Techa and Jen had the opportunity to interview the best-selling author Elizabeth Lesser.

She is passionate about art, plants, and music. Techa is married to her soul mate, Michael J. Brown, who has been a part of her life for over 25 years.

ABOUT THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER The Charleston Gaillard Center is a 501c3 nonprofit performing arts organization in Charleston, South Carolina, committed to enriching lives through unforgettable experiences. Throughout the year, we provide exceptional programming and vibrant educational opportunities for the community.

Please consider a contribution as we continue to find innovative ways to connect, inspire and entertain. Donate to support the arts in your community. You can learn more about our educational resources and programming at gaillardcenter.org. ###