WASHINGTON – When they were accepted into the internationally renowned Duke Ellington School of the Arts, REDWOOD and Ekep Nkwelle were Vocal Music majors. By the time they left, REDWOOD had switched to Instrumental Music and earned a full ride to Michigan State University as a promising pianist, while Nkwelle had become a mesmerizing vocalist headed to Howard University.
But the dynamic duo formed a personal and musical connection at Ellington, a bond that lasted through graduation in 2017 and the last four years, even 600 miles apart.
Their
connection is easy to detect on “Dub,” the new single that drops on JULY 18. It’s a
great tune for summer, an eclectic, electronic beat with a spacey-type vibe.
The song highlights Nkwelle’s soulful, smoky vocals and REDWOOD’s unique production and writing skills.
“We
believe this care-free message reflects our generation’s attitude,” REDWOOD says. “But it’s also
something that older folks can get into.”
Nkwelle
says introverts like herself might really enjoy it. “We’ll just be chilling and people will
think we’re not having a good time cause we’re not out and about,” she says.
“But I’ve found that I have a really good time, maybe even a better time, all
by myself!”
This
isn’t the pair’s first collaboration. Nkwelle was featured on “From
the Start,” a track on REDWOOD’s debut EP, “Sempervirens.” And no one will be surprised if future joint
projects materialize. Fresh off their May commencement ceremonies, the two artists are headed to
New York City together – on full rides – to earn graduate degrees, REDWOOD at Manhattan
School of Music and Nkwelle at The Juilliard School.
Relocating
to the Big Apple will allow them to expand their sound and respective bases.
REDWOOD has become an in-demand pianist in the Detroit metro area, playing with
the likes of Rodney Whitaker and Dee Dee Bridgewater; Nkwelle has made a name
for herself in the DMV metro area, emerging as a star with The Soul Sistas and
Howard’s famed ensemble, Afro Blue.
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Contact Deron Snyder to arrange an interview with REDWOOD and Nkwelle.Follow @redwoodsounds and @ekepnkwelle /@KapSoNaptural
on social media.
As a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, Amy Puchalski, MD, is well aware of the dangers associated with teenage drivers.
A mother with three teenagers at various stages of driving experience, Dr. Puchalski is equally aware of parents’ concerns when their children slide behind a steering wheel.
“It’s an important part of teenagers developing their independence,” she says. “Their goal is to become independent, responsible adults, and parents or guardians need to make sure teens develop driving skills as safely as possible.”
AGE-RELATED RISK FACTORS
Dr. Puchalski calls the process “exciting but nerve-racking.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens aged 16-19 than among any other age group. Per mile driven, teen drivers in that age group are nearly three times as likely as drivers aged 20-or-older to be in a fatal crash.
A few weeks ago, a colleague took a small tumble down some outside stairs. Thankfully, she’s fine.
When I asked how it happened, she explained that she was trying to do two things at once (maybe three things, knowing her). She was in a hurry and anxious to get everything done.
Man, can I relate.
She missed the last three
steps. That got me thinking about the steps to success. If you skip a few, you
end up having to start over or at the very least slow down.
Think about it. Everything
you’ve ever achieved in life – from learning to walk or learning to read and write
– happened in steps. The same is true even as we navigate and reach for goals
in our adult lives.
We take steps. And each step counts
as a success.
When you write that book,
finishing one chapter is success. As you lose weight, that first pound is a
success. Getting that degree or dream job? It takes steps. Remember the “how-to-eat-an-elephant”
approach.
One bite at a time.
On the doctoral journey, each paragraph,
page, and chapter is progression toward success. And each incremental gain is
worth celebrating. I’m learning so much about myself on along the way, including
my desire to sometimes skip steps.
But I’ve learned that skipping
just slows you down or hurts your progress.
So. I’m celebrating my steps. I
recently took an important one forward on the path to doctorate. And even
though I can see down the road a bit, I will not bypass the steps right in
front of me.
I’ve worked too hard and too long to take a tumble now. And so have you.
So get to steppin! Your success awaits.
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A former journalist currently working on her doctorate in Social Emotional Learning, Vanessa is a dedicated and passionate educator in the DC Public Schools system. She loves learning, leadership, innovation, collaboration, and discovering new ways to drive student gains and support staff members.
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