Kickstarter

UPDATE: WE MADE IT!!!!!!! I AM SO OVERWHELMED AND OVERJOYED!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL!!!

For those who still want to support, we have 14 hours on the clock. Any pledges that go beyond the initial goal will fund the following:

1. CD Manufacturing

2. Album Art

3. Album Promotion (I would LOVE to release a music video with the album!!)

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Hello dear people! I am ecstatic about the fact that you are here on my kickstarter page, giving my project a chance. Please take a few moments to read my story, watch the video and peruse the right-hand column to find out what you could get in exchange for what you give!

Important note: If I don't reach my funding goal, no money will ever be charged to you. Your $5, $25 or $250 won't end up paying for my groceries just because I didn't meet the number I need to get in the studio. But that's a worst case scenario! Let's do this.

MY STORY

I wrote my first song when I was 11, and promptly decided it would be my life’s work. I didn’t know then what the future had in store for me, but I knew that whether I was waiting tables or performing brain surgery, I would also be writing songs.  I’ve spent the past 15 years learning about music, writing music, performing ... and it’s been incredible. In 2008, while studying at Berklee College of Music, I released my debut album “Between You and Me.” As cliched as it sounds, it felt like a dream come true, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends, family and faithful listeners. But, the story doesn’t stop there. I have continued to write and perform, playing up and down the West Coast since graduating from Berklee in 2010, and I have a heap of new songs that I want to share with the world!

So here I am, just past the “quarter of a century” mark, and my life’s work IS music. I don’t make the big bucks writing hit songs for famous artists or touring the world with my band. I teach music, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am full-time faculty in the Vocal Music Department at Oakland School for the Arts and I LOVE my job. In all honesty, finding the time and energy to put into my music has been a challenge, but the 11-year-old in me keeps pushing. The time has come for me to get back in the studio and breathe life into the best songs of the past four years. Here is where I am at in the process: Excitement, drive, passion, stamina—check. New songs ready to record—check. Stellar musicians to play on the album—check. Amazing recording studio in Sonoma’s beautiful wine country (Praire Sun Studio -- guess who else records here? TOM WAITS!) and fantastic engineer—check, check. Funding to make this thing happen… well, that’s where you come in.

YOUR IMPACT

Your contribution to this project, no matter the amount, gets me closer to making my second full-length record. I have studio time booked at the start of 2012 and aim to release in the spring, but I can’t even begin laying down the tracks until I’ve reached my funding goal.  Consider becoming a part of this project! By backing me, you are joining a community of folks who believe in the importance of supporting original music and independent artists.

GIVE AND TAKE

Give a little, and get something in return! Check out the list of rewards to your right, offered for all backers. No good deed goes unnoticed and unrewarded!

THE BREAKDOWN

I want you to know what exactly your money would be going toward, so you can really envision, feel and (eventually!) hear the impact you have.

$3000: tracking 12 songs -- payment for engineer and studio use

$2000: mixing and mastering

$2000: payment for studio musicians -- some of the Bay Area's finest!

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Spread the word! It would mean so much to me if you would share the link to my campaign page, and if possible, include a personal note!