“I came here during a queer diaspora of gay and lesbian academics that moved to the bay area to study with people. I came to study with Angela Davis. I moved from the Olympia, WA but I’m from Oak Park, Illinois. When you show up in a city like San Francisco they embrace you like you’re from the ghetto because there’s no strong… Read More

“When I moved here this was all closed. This was all started and constructed by Willie Brown, a black man. You know who he is right?”‘Yeah, I was just reading about him in San Francisco magazine. It was the April 2015 issue about the role he played in Chinese people being elected and appointed in government office.”“Him appointing Chinese people is… Read More

“What’s the biggest accomplishment of your life?”“My family. My kids and my wife. My kids just won the football championships!” “I’ve been working in San Francisco for over 25 years.”“What are you passionate about outside of work?”“American football.”… Read More

“How much do you make in a day?”“About $300.”“What’s your favorite part of dancing?”“The money.”… Read More

“How old are you?”“11.”“How long have you been dancing for money?”“Since I was 6.”… Read More

Over the weekend a friend called me to tell me a good friend of ours, Franklin Clary, passed. I was out of town when I heard and it was the first time anyone close to me has died. Now that I’m back in SF and I’ve seen the outpouring of love for him from our community the shock has worn off and I… Read More

“Growing up in the Bay Area, I noticed that music had become a two-tiered system where only those who could afford music lessons and expensive instruments were granted access. Because it didn’t make sense to me for music education to be a luxury item, I founded Lessons for Life to make music a right, not a privilege.” If you feel inspired to help… Read More

“Music programs in schools across the country remain drastically underfunded. Education budgets tend to prioritize more “useful” subjects like math and science – ironically, despite the fact that studying music increases students’ capacity to learn these subjects. Unfortunately, the students who stand to gain the most from music – low-income students, students with learning disabilities, and other students whose circumstances put… Read More

“My favorite part of playing music is putting all the notes together to make songs.”“What do you want to be when you grow up?”“A lawyer. My favorite part is the rights and the wrongs…overthinking the other person’s judgement.” If you feel inspired to help kids get music lessons go to: http://igg.me/at/LessonsforLife/x/10190483… Read More

“I’m teaching violin to an 11 year old boy named Josh. Usually when he’s practicing he’ll stop and apologize when he messes up but the other day he messed up and just stayed focused on what he was doing and started again. That was a gift to me, I was so happy. He’s taught me a new appreciation of other people and a… Read More

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”“A doctor.”“What’s the best part of being a doctor?”“You help people and sometimes save their lives.” If you feel inspired to help kids get music lessons go to: http://igg.me/at/LessonsforLife/x/10190483… Read More

“The violin has a very different sound than the piano or guitar. Arielle is teaching me how to play it and I like her because she’s funny. She makes me feels comfortable when I’m learning.” If you feel inspired to help kids get music lessons go to: http://igg.me/at/LessonsforLife/x/10190483… Read More

“I play piano and tutor a 5th grade girl named Ashley who lives in the Tenderloin. It’s been really great working with her. She gives me a new point of view about how she lives. I’ve been very lucky that my parents got me music lessons when I younger because they could afford it. I know she’s helping me so I hope I’m… Read More

“I like the violin because it has a unique sound.” “What do you like to when you’re not playing music?”“I like to play video games, read, and do homework.”“What do you want to be when you grow up?”“I want to be surgeon to learn about the body and it’s systems.” If you feel inspired to help kids get… Read More

“Why is music important to you?”“Because learning music is integral to a child’s development. With Lessons for Life we’re teaching kids not only how to play music but how to take a chance and create. The horizons are higher when you are involved in music; your understanding of art and the world, and how you can think and express yourself, are enhanced.”… Read More

“How are you making the world a better place?”“By providing underserved, urban youth the opportunity to pursue music. I created a non-profit called Lessons for Life to make music a right, not a privilege. We match students who otherwise would not have access to one-on-one music instruction with volunteer tutors from high schools and colleges. We’re actually doing an Indiegogo now to… Read More

“They call me Queen B!” Full article on Fest300: http://bit.ly/1SZ9kif… Read More

Left- “He teaches me how to go over the top and get me out of my comfort zone. And he’s also always there for me.”Right- “He makes me feel I can be myself. I normally feel like I want to dress up like this and be all bubbly like a wood sprite but I don’t always have the confidence to do it. Read More

“We traveled all the way from Vermont to be here today! It’s so inspiring to see the result of decades of hard work.” Full article on Fest300: http://bit.ly/1SZ9kif… Read More

Weeerk… Read More

“We’re happy we can be ourselves, act however we want and be free. We love that it doesn’t have to be same sex marriage anymore. It’s just marriage. It’s a really big step. It’s beautiful to be a part of such a monumental part of history.” Full article on Fest300: http://bit.ly/1SZ9kif… Read More

What’s your favorite thing about yourself? “That I learned to love myself!” Full article on Fest300: http://bit.ly/1SZ9kif… Read More

“I wanted to wear something that screamed ‘Pride’!” See the full article at http://bit.ly/1KldBek… Read More

“They call me Slick Pops. I draw and paint stuff that’s cute, but also kinda twisted.”“Like what?”“Like a nice little Bugs Bunny shootin dope.”… Read More