The Business Savvy Singer Podcast Dr. Greta Pope

This week Dr. Greta Pope sits down with Mylon Shamble. Mylon was born in Chicago but grew up in Bradenton, FL. Her introduction to singing and songwriting is actually accredited to some of her friends from college. What started as open jam, the rest became history. They began to book major gigs as a headlined band throughout our time at FAU. Some of the members left after graduation, but not wanting to lose momentum, She started booking weddings and private events as an entertainer from 2012-present day. She also began to work in studios, writing original music for herself and for other artists’ projects. After graduating from FAU with an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Arts, Mylon auditioned for ‘American Idol’ and made it all the way through to Hollywood with a golden ticket. Currently, she works as a Songwriter/ Entertainer as well as a flight attendant.

This week on The Business Savvy Singer Podcast, Dr. Greta Pope sits down with jazz artist, author, and Indiana University faculty member, Monika Herzig. Monika has a fascinating background as a jazz pianist.

She received her Doctorate in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from Indiana University and went on to do many things in the music industry. As a touring jazz artist, she has performed at many prestigious jazz clubs and festivals, such as the Indy Jazz Fest, Cleveland’s Nighttown, Birdland, the Manchester Craftsmen Guild, to name just a few. Groups under her leadership have toured Germany, opened for acts such as Tower of Power, Sting, the Dixie Dregs, Yes, and more.

She has received awards including a 1994 Down Beat Magazine Award for Best Original Song, a Jazz Journalist Association Hero 2015 award, as well as grants from the NEA, the Indiana Arts Commission, MEIEA, among others.

Listen to the full episode with Monika now!

This week on The Business Savvy Singer Podcast, Dr. Greta Pope sits down with Angela Rivas. Angela is a Senior at Florida International University pursing a double major in Journalism and Criminal Justice. She has a passion for telling stories and enjoys writing profile pieces and entertainment stories. She is also interested in the arts, music, theater, and the entertainment industry. She hope to one day align all her passions into her job, and be able to write about all aspects that interest her.

Dr. Greta Pope sits down with scholar Rae Myra Hilliard as she talks about her research on Black Female Composers of Classical Music, entitled “Queens of Composition.” These composers all have ties to Chicago and have written vocal, symphonic, chamber and other types of classical music. This episode rounds out our Black History Month and it pivots into Women’s History Month.

This week Dr. Greta Pope sits down with magician, actor, and author, Rory Rennick. For nearly 20 years Rory has performed professionally as a magician following a 15-year career in the mental health field. For over a decade he has combined his acting, motivational speaking and prestidigitation skills to present the incredible story of the enslaved-turned-magic entertainer Henry “Box” Brown. Rory is considered one of the foremost authorities on black magicians and Henry “Box” Brown in particular. His book debut of Henry “Box” Brown’s Legacy and My Life With Him has been one of the most anticipated readings of 2021.

This week on The Business Savvy Singer Podcast we continue our focus on Black History Month by sitting down with Mixed Media Artist, Everett Spruill. Everett is a highly acclaimed artist focusing on painting, photography, and printmaking.

Over time Spruill consistently created works using an increasingly complex variation of recycled and repurposed materials focusing on Jazz as a central theme. His first radical shift came in 1995, when he combined the principals of serigraphy and graffiti techniques, using spray paint with hand-cut stencils. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Spruill created a large body of work that responded in a general way to his love of stained glass. During this time, the increasing mixture of recycled materials gave way to full three-dimensionality, with sculptural forms derived from discarded electronic parts and wire. Postage Stamps, seashells, and fabric are used to create decorative architectural elements.

His work is featured at Disney World, Orlando’s Amway Center and in other prestigious settings. He is also a singer and harmonica player.