07/17/2024
ONE OF THE MEN WHO CHANGED MY LIFE.
Avon Gillespie was a music teacher at my high school Evanston Township High School (ETHS). I was a frustrated student / athlete stuck in troubled times confused about my future and life in general when one day after school this man convinced me to attend an after school session in our TV Studio about African Music. I was no stranger to music being a professional guitarist at 15 but I was no singer. A traumatic voice change had taken my beautiful "Smokey Robinson" soprano way deep into the low pitts of Hell. but Avon made me sing because in Africa, Everybody Sings regardless so reluctantly I joined in. After the session he took me by the arm walked me into a practice room and had me sing some scales each one more difficult than the previous. Upon completion he informed me that he wanted me to join his various vocal ensembles and that he wanted to give me private voice lesions free of charge! At that point, I decided to abandon all my frustrating athletic aspirations to pursue a career music in a department that totally welcomed, embraced, nurtured and encouraged me. I was in YAMO, The Summer Musical, Spirit of Soul (with Herman Ruff), MasterSingers, Bacon Chorale and The ETHS Choir.
One year later I entered The University of Iowa 's Music Department as one of 3 minority students fully subitized.
All that I have become started that one faithful day with a teacher who made a difference in my life.
