Checking in with Dr. B.

Dr. B., also known as Dr. Dawn K. Batson, interviews past students and other professionals as they find and keep their joy while navigating life and career challenges and successes. Dr. B. is a creative professional with over 20 years of experience in multicultural education and arts administration. She utilizes music and the arts with emphasis on the steel pan (the steel drum in the United States) as a medium for cross-cultural outreach. As the Executive Director of Keep Your Joy and Rise, LLC, she conducts training sessions in personal empowerment, team building, equity and inclusion for professionals and institutions across the globe. *Disclaimer: Checking in with Dr. B. is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

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Checking in with Dr. B.

Miss, My Pan not Panning!!! Joanna Shortt is Checking in with Dr. B.

December 05, 2022 • Dawn K. Batson • Season 1 • Episode 4

Joanna Shortt, a native of Arima, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, is a musician, educator, composer and steelpan adjudicator who has been involved in the steelband movement since the age of 12. She strongly believes in the merits of music and education and its ability to create and nurture creativity that is crucial to one’s holistic development.

She is the holder of a Diploma in Education from the University of the West Indies; a Master of Philosophy (Mphil) in Cultural Studies where she presented a thesis titled “Gender in the Contemporary Steelband”; and is a 2005 music and academic scholarship recipient of Florida Memorial University, Miami, Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Popular Music specializing in the steelpan with a minor in Business Administration. She is also a holder of a National Youth Music Award and other accolades for her musical performances and contributions both locally and internationally.

She continues to pursue her passion for music and education as a Music Educator and Acting Dean of Discipline at El Dorado West Secondary School in Trinidad. Joanna is certain that in the very near future she will utilize her teaching skills at the university level, start her own music school and/or divert to areas of music administration or music business in which she has long been interested.

Hear Joanna sing Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come"
https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/more-media

Joanna touches on:

The importance of family support and tradition
Music and teaching
Her thesis "Gender in the Contemporary Steelband"
Invaders Steel Orchestra

https://www.facebook.com/ShellInvaderstt/

Arima Angel Harps Steel Orchestra
Her Mentor and Godfather Nervin "Teach" Saunders

https://www.panonthenet.com/opinions/2020/nervin-teach-saunders-8-2-20.htm

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People on this episode

Dawn K. Batson

Host