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.

Using music as a tool to refine...rather than to medicate - Khuent Rose is Checking in with Dr. B

June 22, 2023 • Dawn K. Batson • Season 1 • Episode 11

Immediately after graduating Midwood High School 16, Khuent Rose received a music scholarship to Florida Memorial University under the tutelage of Dr. Dawn Batson. Influenced by Jazz Professor by the late Melton Mustafa and classmates Leon “Foster” Thomas and Freddie Harris III, Rose developed an inimitable style of music. Faculty eventually encouraged other venues better suited for his advanced studies. He returned to NY and was commissioned by Martin Douglas to be the Musical Director of Crossfire Steel Orchestra; he continued his studies at Brooklyn College (Music Composition) under the guidance of Dr. Benjamin Bierman and Dr. Tania Leon. In the Spring of 2010, he graduated majoring in Music Composition with a Minor in English and Philosophy. At Brooklyn College he was able to debut several works during Student Composer concerts, perform in the Jazz and Percussion ensembles, and received the De Los Mederos special award in Composition (inducted by Dr. Leon)

He's been a Preschool teacher, Teaching Artist, Enrichment provider, Counselor , Minister, Comedian, Steelpan tuner and Music Teacher within the NYC school system. He is regularly commissioned by Brooklyn Conservatory Orchestra, NY Botanical Gardens and local politicians to perform and represent the Steelpan community. For over 20 years, he’s consistently been a Church instrumentalist, Musical Director and/or Choir Director. He currently serves as an Episcopal musician at 2 Brooklyn churches. He still finds time to perform with Andre White, Kareem Thompson and Baba Neil Clarke as a steel pannist, accompanist and keyboardist.

Rose has lectured at Medgar Evers, Brooklyn College, The New School, Princeton and City Tech, advocates for the Steelpan community of New York and acts as a consultant to various local and international Steelpan associations. 2023 is his 9th year as Music teacher at the Achievement First Brooklyn High School Charter school in Bedstuy where he teaches Steelpan, Piano, and Music production.

His unique form of Khuentertainment is engaging, thought-provoking and unforgettable.

Khuent speaks about his formative years in music and those who influenced him; his family; the impact of music therapy; resilience in the face of devastation; relationships between band leaders and players; orisha; music as a foundation for the future and music as a tool to refine as opposed to a tool to medicate.

Check out:

www.Khuentertainment.com

https://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2011/news/oped/krose-do-something-for-pan-eduate-3-28-11.htm

Khuent's influences:

Crossfire Steel Orchestra

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Dawn K. Batson

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