Here is one of our many members who have brought life to our community. We are grateful to see the process and progress our members share with us, and we are honored to give them the spotlight! Their story is our story. Read on to be inspired by our latest Member Highlight interview…
Meet Suzanne
Suzanne is from Brookline, MA USA
What do you do during the day?
Well these days I continue to write and record music and also am president of my non profit Artists for Wildlife Conservation. We have fundraisers to support other non profits that help to save endangered species, and we are working hard to create a much bigger community.
What Day of 100 is your piece from?
1-7/ 100
Lyrics:
Shenandoah Girl
by Suzanne Dean
Chorus
Shenandoah Girl!
Tough as nails
Pretty as a pearl
Float tonight
Down this river
Side by side with me
Verse
Way out here Up here high
There’s a moon There’s a sky
There’s a hunger I can’t deny
Come with me We can fly!
Chorus
Verse
Water shines Just like chrome
This old ground I call home
River-deep Righteousness
Found with you my Happiness!
Chorus
Solo on verse and chorus
Verse
We can dive We can dance
Come here my love, take a chance
It’s a wonder A world apart
Drift away With my heart!
Chorus
Listen here:
Click here to listen
Is there anything surprising about your musical taste?
Well I like a lot of different styles of music. I think in another life I'd love to be a percussionist. I love percussion.
What does your songwriting habit look like?
I am always thinking about songwriting or recording. I always have a tune that I'm working on running through my head. I do some form of songwriting or recording on my days off.
Official music page:
https://www.suzannedean.me
https://www.afwildc.org
Instagram
Who are your influences? How have they shaped you?
Joni Mitchell and Bill Evans have been the 2 most musically influential musicians in my life. Joni Mitchell's poetic style of writing and guitar tunings, and Bill Evans melodies and lush, rich beautiful chords. I used to play in a lot of different tunings. I learned more from listening to and studying Bill Evans work than from any piano teacher. Both of their music goes straight into my heart and soul.
What challenge are you facing with songwriting?
Just making myself do it more regularly.
Tell us an early memory about a song that woke something up inside you.
I loved I wanna Hold Your Hand by The Beatles. Even in German! I was 10 and began learning guitar that year. Yellow Bird was the first song I learned on guitar. I probably heard it by Harry Belafonte. But I'm sure I loved the Beatles from 1962. I was 8. I couldn't get enough of playing their 45s all the time.