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.
Episodes
18 episodes
Carlon Lyons - You Have to Dream
Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Carlon Lyons began his musical journey at age 9 at the Southern Marines Steel Band Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago, under the director Mr. Malamo Joseph.Carlon’s first performance was in 199...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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53:51
Sherrese Moise - Challenge yourself to change
With two hit shows currently on the air and 7 films having been released in the last ten years on television, Sherrese Moise is one of the most successful and influential producers working in the film and television industry today. Sherrese ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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41:35
Gerard Boucaud - Running towards a life worth living
Gerard Boucaud is a highly skilled and experienced professional with over two decades of experience in audit, information technology consulting, and music. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Gerard has a master’s degree in business administra...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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34:43
Some call me...the Black Yoda - Leon "Foster" Thomas is Checking in with Dr. B
Leon Foster Thomas is a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso. His music is a blend of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and eclectic meld all his own.
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:00:54
Each day I try to be a better version of myself - Le'Roi Simmonds is Checking in with Dr. B
Le`Roi Simmonds is a steel pan artist from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands,with a Bachelor's Degree in Pop Music from Florida Memorial University, anda Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from New York University. At the ag...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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40:44
Music is life - Freddy Harris III is Checking in with Dr. B
Freddy Harris III - Music is Life checks in with Dr. B“Freddy Harris III is an award-winning musician and music producer. He first made a name for himself as a steelpan player for orchestras and artists. He is the son of popul...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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1:20:48
I like to look past the sky - Kareem Thompson is Checking in with Dr. B
I like to look past the sky…. Kareem Thompson is Checking in with Dr. BCheck Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrbComposer, Arranger, Steel pan virtuoso from Broo...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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28:12
Using music as a tool to refine...rather than to medicate - Khuent Rose is Checking in with Dr. B
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 “...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:06:21
I try... to embrace the journey. Dr. Kendall K. Williams is Checking in with Dr. B
Born around the Trinidadian culture, Kendall Williams has adopted the country's national instrument, the steel pan. From as early as the age of four, Kendall made efforts to mimic his parents as they displayed their talents in a Miami-based ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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58:28
Give yourself permission...to find that quiet place - Laura E. Scheele is Checking in with Dr. B.
Laura Elaine Scheele is an Indiana native, wife, mother to three wild and wonderful children, and a lifelong word nerd. Her love for language led her to writing and in 2022 her poetry was published in Bouquet of Stars: Poetr...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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38:31
From a very young age, I was own way - Gabrielle Punch is Checking in with Dr. B
Growing up in a highly creative, talented and entrepreneurial family, artisan Gabrielle Punch began exploring her own passion for creativity from an early age. Over the years she has worked in several different mediums, from cla...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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54:00
The two legs that I walk on - Astar Bishop is Checking in with Dr. B
The Two Legs That I Walk On - Astar Bishop is Checking in with Dr. BCheck Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/Astar Bishop is a camera shy pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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42:37
I live in the AND - Kenrick Noel is Checking in with Dr. B
I live in the AND - Kenrick Noel is Checking in with Dr. B Episode 6I live in the ANDCheck Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/Instagram:
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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50:42
Not just to survive but to go on and thrive! Don La Foucade is Checking In with Dr. B
Don La Foucade - Checking in with Dr. B Episode 5Not just to survive but to go on and thrive!Don La Foucade is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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49:30
Miss, My Pan not Panning!!! Joanna Shortt is Checking in with Dr. B.
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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40:42
The Nosy Musical Neighbor: Liam Teague is Checking in with Dr. B.
Liam Teague is Professor of Music and Head of Steelpan studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where he also directs the renowned NIU Steelband. Teague is also the recipient of an NIU Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Profe...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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44:07
Life - 10% what happens, 90% - how you react: An Interview with Josh Quillen
Josh Quillen has forged a unique identity in the contemporary music world as all-around percussionist, expert steel drum (also known as the steel pan) performer (lauded as “softly sophisticated” by the New York Times), and composer. His coll...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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1:07:37
How do you want your hamburger? Cooked!?: An Interview with Arddin Herbert
Arddin Herbert, family man and multi talented musical director of Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, speaks with Dr. B. about his journey in life and in the steelband world.
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:03:22
