VANESSA RACCI

Growing up with her Barese (Southern Italian) grandfather in New York, Vanessa learned Italian American classics at an early age.

She developed as a singer in musical theater, discovered her love for jazz in her early 20’s and started performing with a trio. After her grandfather passed away, Vanessa was inspired to reinvent the Italian American classics that he taught her with modern jazz arrangements. Her mission; to keep the music alive for future generations, and in turn, her grandfather’s memory. She teamed up with Gianni Valenti of Birdland Jazz Club, NYC, producer, David Finck, and Manhattan Transfer arranger, Yaron Gershovsky, to realize her vision.

The result was a sold-out album release show at Birdland in June, 2017 and a unique album entitled, Italiana Fresca, that reached #65 on the jazz charts. Since then, she has performed at over 70 Italian festivals, events and jazz clubs across the country and has been played on over 20 Italian radio stations across the US and Italy.

For her next project, she was inspired to pay homage to Italian American influence on jazz music after a performance in New Orleans and from learning of her relation to the late jazz guitarist, Tony Mottola. She debuted a new show, Jazzy Italian, on October 13th, 2019, at Birdland, to another sold out audience, to celebrate Italian American heritage month. She is scheduled to record this show and release as a new album in 2021.

“I love what she did with my father’s songs” – Deana Martin (Dean Martin’s Daughter)

“Racci gives [the songs] imaginative jazz vocal makeovers” –  NYC Jazz Record

“A full plate of Neapolitan flavors” – Jazz Weekly

“The Mob-Hits compilation for Hipsters” – Midwest Record

“She has taken songs treasured for generations and completely redefined them” – Jane Monheit, Jazz Sensation

“Vanessa Racci is one of the most talented performers I have ever met. Her shows are first class and her reinvention and choice of songs are unique.” – Angelo Venuto, Italian Pop Sensation

“A gracious presence on the stage and beautifully dressed as for a 1950s cocktail party, Vanessa Racci traced the contributions of Italian-Americans to jazz, a much more extensive history than a casual observer might think. She brings along a lovely voice, a fine sense of rhythm, a gracefulness evidenced in her dancing across the stage and a genuine appreciation of the music and her musicians.”  – Bart Greenburg for Cabaret Scenes Magazine, NYC

JESSICA TEIXEIRA and SHAUNA MUHONEN

FORGED

Jessica and Shauna forged the perfect friendship!  Both singers since childhood, they came together with complimentary skills and preferences.  Jess prefers singing melody while Shauna prefers singing harmony.  Jess sings high and Shauna sings low.  They have a love of harmony that is shown in the songs that they write.  They have pursued careers in country music as they love the storytelling aspect of the genre.  In 3 ½ minutes of a country song you can listen to a lifetime, hear someone’s whole heart, or go on an adventure!  Jess and Shauna have started pitching their original music to Nashville labels, and hope to someday hear their songs sung by other talented artists in the industry.

A little about Shauna:  She is the mother of 6, is self-taught in mandolin and piano.  Shauna has fond memories of learning how to sing harmony as a child sitting at the feet of her mother.  Shauna has spent many years singing in various capacities for women’s groups, churches, fundraisers, etc.  Shauna created and runs a woman’s ministry as well.  Shauna is living the country lifestyle too she has horses and her husband even competes in Hunter/Jumper shows.

A little about Jess:  She is the mother of 4, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, and her husband owns a pizza and sub shop that’s attached to their home.  Jess has spent many years singing in various competitions, churches, fundraisers, etc.  Jess even won the title as “college idol” in a spin off competition of American Idol at her alma mater.  

Forged has grown over the years from a duo to a full band.  The band has grown to include Matt Johndrow (drums/writer), Mike Pistone (guitar/bass/keys/sound engineer/writer), and Rob Murphy (bass/sweet dance skills).  The band has 2 new songs in studio that will be ready to release soon.  The new songs are from both ends of the country spectrum.  One is the type of song you’d listen to on someone’s front porch (with a banjo of course) while the other is more of a fast paced rockin’ empowered song.  Stay tuned!

MELANIE GIBSON

Melanie Gibson began taekwondo training at age ten. At age twelve she stopped taekwondo to pursue other interests, and resumed training in her early thirties.

Although Melanie had academic and career achievements throughout her life, she struggled with mental illness and low self-esteem. After making some progress through psychiatric treatment and counseling, she knew she needed to do something more substantial to make lasting changes. Returning to taekwondo had always been in the back of her mind, and the timing was right. 

Taekwondo proved to be not only an opportunity to re-learn a beloved skill from her childhood, but also a means to build her self-esteem and confidence, and heal from old wounds. It brought a needed excitement and purpose to her life, which she shares in her blog Little Black Belt (http://littleblackbelt.com). While continuing to work at her full-time job, Melanie dedicated herself to taekwondo training and earned her first degree black belt in 2015. In 2017, she earned her second degree black belt. Although a pandemic and knee injury sidelined her training in 2020, Melanie plans to return to taekwondo and test for her third degree black belt. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. Melanie has worked in the healthcare industry since 2004, with roles as a hospital librarian, corporate trainer, and learning designer. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Melanie Gibson was an independent woman with a good job, multiple college degrees, and a condo in the trendy part of Fort Worth. She also had a few mental illnesses, a minor substance abuse problem, and rotten relationship skills. She was nearing a total mental breakdown and needed a good kick in the pants, literally and metaphorically. 

As a last desperate means to save her sanity, Melanie turned to a nearly forgotten childhood activity: the Korean martial art of taekwondo. To her surprise and delight, she discovered her childhood taekwondo instructors’ Grandmaster operated a taekwondo school a few miles from her home. She restarted her training as a white belt and quickly learned that taekwondo had much more to offer than just learning how to kick and punch.

In taekwondo, Melanie felt like she had a fresh start in more ways than one. She found an inner peace she’d never known before, a sense of community, a newfound confidence, healthy relationship stability, and a positive outlook on life. The kicking and screaming she was doing in class quieted the long-suffering kicking and screaming in her mind. Funny and frank, Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts  is the story of Melanie’s life-changing journey from troubled, lost soul to confident taekwondo black belt.

We created Sense of Soul with YOU in mind. To share our experiences with others who are awakening to their higher self and to those who are seeking healing from the inside out!

Wi t h t r u s t ed f a i t h , S h a n n a a nd Ma nde s e t f o r t h o n a n

u n c e r t a i n j o u r n e y . L e ad by t h e i r k i ndr ed s o u l s a nd a

s h a r ed de s i r e t o l i v e a u t h e n t i c a l l y , t h e y s t a r t ed S e n s e o f

S o u l .

T h e S e n s e o f S o u l mi s s i o n i s bu i l t a r o u nd h e l pi n g o t h e r s

f a l l i n l o v e wi t h t h ems e l v e s wh i l e h e a l i n g a nd a l i g n i n g

wi t h t h e i r t r u e pu rpo s e . S h a n n a a nd Ma nde h ope t o

spr e ad l o v e , l i g h t a nd o f f e r s uppo r t a nd g u ida n c e t o t h o s e

wh o a r e o n t h e i r own j o u r n e y t o f i nd t h e i r “ S e n s e o f S o u l ” .

T h r o u g h t h e S e n s e o f S o u l podc a s t , mobi l e bo u t iqu e ,

o n l i n e s t o r e , i n - s t udi o / o n l i n e c l a s s e s a nd a s o c i a l medi a

pr e s e n c e , S e n s e o f S o u l h a s l e v e r a g ed n ume r o u s pl a t f o rms

t o s o l idi f y t h e i r pa t h a nd S h a n n a a nd Ma nde a r e n ow i n a

pl a c e o f c e r t a i n t y t h a t s h a r i n g t h r o u g h S e n s e o f S o u l i s

wh e r e t h e y a r e me a n t t o be .

S h a n n a i s a mo t h e r o f f o u r a

Author Mr. Michael Taylor, who is uniquely positioned to spread hope and optimism. A high school dropout, he overcame a divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, depression and being homeless for two years on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, radio and TV host, and author of nine best-selling books. He has dedicated his life to empowering men and women to reach their full potential by transforming their lives from the inside out. But what if we invested that same amount of effort into being truly, genuinely happy? Mr. Taylor stated he thought that by having the house, the wife, the 2.5 kids, the vacations and the material things, he would be happy,” However, in spite of “having it all,” he still felt something was still missing. Today, Mr. Taylor describes himself as an “irrepressible optimist,” and it’s all thanks to changing his perception of “success,” following his own gut and breaking free from the construct of societal expectations. I am your host Pamela L Henderson, Please join me June 1, 2021 at 12 Noon as I journey  down this road of  a blissful Uncertainty See you there...

Vince Oghobaase is a 2005 Watkins Award Honoree who attended, played football, and graduated from Duke University.  He had an opportunity to play in the UFL and NFL.  Vince realized his true passion was coaching and has blazed a trail coaching in college and the NFL.  The excitement that follows Vince is truly magical and only will lead to a promising career as a head football coach.    

Antonia Lau is a World Class, Master Psychic, born with the ability noted since very early childhood. She actually 'sees and hears' Your Guide/Guardian Angel. Having given over 50,000 Readings she is highly-respected for accuracy and her work to aid all persons in achieving their highest and best, in every area of their lives as well as for creating greater soul growth for everyone her life touches. She is called the Celebrities Psychic, and Psychic to the Stars because of her vast work as a Metaphysical/Spiritual Teacher, Speaker, and deep researcher for over forty yrs, Antonia is an Award Winning Radio Show Host with her show, Beyond the Here and Now. She is also a healer who works to inspire Ascension and Greater Evolution of the Human Planetary Lifestream.

With over 40 years of intense Metaphysical & Spiritual Study, Practice and Research, Antonia Lau has used her vast expertise to counsel, educate, and instruct, in over 50,000 Readings.  She has clients Worldwide, ranging from top Celebrities, Doctors, Lawyers, and high-powered Business Executives to the average person, from every walk of Life.

With an extremely high level of accuracy, a high repeat clientele, and referral base, she has used her Psychic Gift to successfully aid the quality of Life, of everyone she touches.  Her warm, patient and charming personality, coupled with this marvellous gift, has given her a stellar reputation.  

Antonia has been a successful radio and TV talk show host, since the 1980s. Her first radio show, on KFOX 92.5 FM, in Los Angeles, was called "All That I Am", which  featured Celebrity and Expert guests for interviews on Spiritual/Metaphysical topics. The radio show was subsequently reformatted as a Television Talk Show for syndication, titled, 'A Road Less Traveled'. Her current, award winning radio show, "Beyond the Here and Now", which garners a loyal audience of over 200,000 listeners per week, has also been reformatted into a syndicated TV show, for distribution and syndication.

Psychic, Clairvoyant and Clairaudient since early childhood, Antonia knew this gift must be used properly, for the benefit of others and learned ONLY from the 'Light' sources.  Not believing it is enough, just to be Psychic, she studied the areas of Metaphysics, Spirituality, Parapsychology along with Natural Health...in depth, to form a vast foundation and wellspring of positive knowledge on all these subjects, to help Mankind form a better understanding and awareness of Himself, and God and the Universe.

All along the way... remaining a hard and fast skeptic; not just studying, but forcing 'The Universe' to prove the validity to her... by experiencing them.  On top of being well versed in the  Highest Use, in the areas of Tarot, Astrology, Numerology and Graphology; she found she was able to actually see and hear her clients 'Guide' or 'Guardian Angel' long before the trend in books and movies, etc. about others who do so.

Currently in Development for a syndicated Television Show, Antonia is writing a book series (the 1st and 2nd of the series, titled 'The Spiritual Value of Relationships', AND the TRUTH about the '2012 and Beyond- MAJOR EARTH CHANGES Event and How to Properly Prepare', while still counseling Clients, Teaching, Hosting Workshops on Antonia is also Hosting another Radio Talk Show, called 'BEYOND THE HERE & NOW with ANTONIA LAU'  and can be heard  at www.Indie100.com , the #1 Digital Radio over IP, out of Burbank, CA, (with over 5.7 Million ACTUAL Listener's WorldWide, since JULY 2011) on Wednesdays 2-4pm ,  Saturdays & Sundays at 2-5PM Pacific Time, WORLDWIDE!!!! ... to allow her knowledge to aid the lives of all who  listen or call.

Antonia consistently maintains a high degree of professionalism to further enhance knowledge on Spiritual/Metaphysical subjects and Lectures and teaches to positively benefit the lives of others, hence...Our World.

The Devil Tried To Conquer Me and Lost!

Her story is about faith, passion and freedom.

Jennifer Ménard-Shand is the Founder & CEO | Director, Client Happiness for Staff Shop, based in Ontario, Canada.

As a Canadian-Indigenous-Woman owned business and award-winning diverse supplier, certified with CCAB, CAMSC, WBE & WEConnect, Staff Shop provides North American support with; Temporary, Contract & Direct Hire Staffing, Payrolling Services, Placing New Canadian Immigrants, Essential Resources, Security Services, PPE, Cleaning & Disinfecting, a special 10% Profit Share Affiliate Referral model, and more.

"I am an Indigenous-French-Canadian woman, and entrepreneur. I am also lucky to be alive. At age 13, I pointed a knife at my drunken bi-polar stepfather, while my mother lay on the floor with broken glass pressed into her chest. Would this be the night I couldn’t keep her alive or I would die? For most of my teens I lived with a mother who chose alcohol and a cycle of abuse over protecting me and I sought my own escape down dark paths filled with bad decisions." Listen to her story of rising from tragedy to triumph!

Her story has twists and turns and showcases resilience, insight and what she has learned about being a woman business owner, and how women can demonstrate more confidence especially, and how her success has blossomed to leading a global organization.



Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-menard-shand/



For more about Jennifer and Staff Shop, click below:

• Staffing Solutions (Temporary, Temp-Hire, Contract & Direct Hire: Hospitality, Light Industrial, Retail, Clerical, IT, Finance, Flagship Events & Executive Search)
• Payrolling Services (Back Office & Foreign Business Support, Health & Safety, AP/AR, Insurance Coverage) 
• Project Management & Event Planning (Events, Projects, Conferences, Tradeshows, Retreats) 
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• Store (PPE, Uniforms, Swag + new products and mobile app in the works) https://elevate.staffshop.ca/
• Affiliates (North American Cross Promotion, Co-bids, Shared Accounts & Partnerships, Placing New Canadian Immigrants, Cleaning, Disinfecting & 10% Profit Share Referral Program) 
• Book our Founder & CEO, Jennifer Ménard-Shand for your next keynote, panel or event! Click HERE for Biography & Gifts.