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BERYL QUINTON - Artist (Vocalist/Keyboard).
www.berylquinton.com "We who sing pray twice."

I was born into a family of devout Catholics, where the music of a piano (my Mom), harmonica (my Dad), and Christian worship (a Baptist church next door) was frequent. Encouraged by my parents, my sister Eulalie (Lee) and I were both enrolled in dancing lessons by the time I was 4 years old, with voice lessons soon to follow. My early radio/TV/stage appearances included children's TV shows and commercials. In high school, I joined the "Velve-Teens," a doo-wop group, and performed in New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) Broadway-type shows and local opera productions. As a young adult, I became "Lady Soul," the front vocalist for "Beryl Hart and the Versatiles" (a rock band) and later the Richie Ladner trio. Intermittent gigs with bands in New Orleans and California preserved my passion for all types of music, while a group music ministry at my parish church nourished my love for Christian music. When Pope John Paul II visited New Orleans in 1987, I sang for him as a member of the "Papal Choir," and later for the Archbishop at local church events in the renamed Archdiocesan Choir. It was around 1994 when I began my solo ministry, singing for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and special masses. My debut Christian CD "Like The Seagull" was released in 2001, with two additional CD releases in November 2004 -- "Amazing Graces" and "Jesus, I Trust In You." A music video, "Following Christ" (track 5 from "Amazing Graces") followed in June 2005. As an independent Christian recording artist, my music extends to other parts of the world, including Australia, England, Ireland, and China. My songs/albums are also available for downloads on major internet sites, such as, Napster, iTunes, and Rhapsody. My music has been accepted by the Catholic global cable network EWTN, to be featured in their programming. My CD releases and music video have been recognized in nationwide U.S. competition sponsored by the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA), reaching finalist status in both 2002 and 2005 Awards.

I was once the Civilian Personnel Director for the Eighth District of the U. S. Coast Guard; and, when my Federal career came to a close with a downsizing buy-out and early retirement, I was privileged to be the Choir Director at St. Louis Cathedral Catholic Elementary School from 2001-2004. In 2002, under my direction, my "children" performed their gospel music at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. My Caruso family tradition calls the opera tenor Enrico Caruso (and later Charles Anthony) distant cousins. My father David was a Plumber and a New Orleans composer with a couple of notable compositions back in the 20's; my mother, a schoolteacher. My brother David Jr. is an attorney and composer, who composed the title song of my debut CD "Like The Seagull;" and his teenage daughter Elizabeth is the only solo vocalist besides my husband and me on our latest "Amazing Graces" CD release -- joining me on Track 16, "I Will Celebrate."

The faith instilled in me from childhood gave me strength to survive life's challenges and personal tragedies, among those the failure of my first marriage and the unexpected responsibility of raising three small children alone. Life was still good, though, until Cheryn, my only daughter and youngest child, perished in a tragic automobile accident, two months shy of her 15th birthday. Life lost its meaning for me on that dreadful day... and a year would go by before a wonderful man named Juan would come into my life with two sons of his own, and I could refocus my energy and my love on our new combined family. Through the years, I have been blessed with an ability to pour my emotions into music. That is really what my music ministry is all about... connecting with persons seeking God's presence, and also with hurting souls needing God's intervention in the midst of crisis or tragedy. Fan response is encouraging and validates this connection. Praise God!

I thank God every day for the blessing of my children and my husband Juan, who sings and provides percussion to my most recent CD's. Juan has a primary career in law enforcement with the New Orleans Police Department. His musical heritage carries on to the fourth generation of his family a name which originated with his great-grandfather Juan Bautista Quinton, a composer and organist who studied at the Conservatory of Paris before moving to Puerto Rico. Juan's grandfather Jose Ignatio Quinton later became one of the island's most celebrated composers, known especially for his Danzas and a Requiem Mass. Juan's father Bobby Quinton was a pianist known for his "Bach to Boogie" at locations such as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, La Lune, and Bobby Quinton's Lounge on Tulane Avenue. It was at St. Dominic over 25 years ago that Juan and I met, having both joined the "Contemporaries" of St. Dominic Church in New Orleans, a guitar group in which we participated for 25+ years. "Endless Love," one of the tracks on "Amazing Graces," was the first duet we sang together at a friend's wedding. In the production of "Amazing Graces," the musical depiction of a Christian lifetime, our home was utilized as a "recording studio," and I premixed the tracks before bring them to Marc Hewitt at Sound Services Studio in New Orleans for final mixing and mastering. I also prepare my own CD artwork (cover, traycard and discface), a creative challenge and economical consideration. My son Lance is my consultant for graphic arts; and son Vince, for professional sound issues.

Sadly, when Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath destroyed a large portion of the Crescent City, we were residents of one of the most devastated areas -- Lakeview. Our home was submerged in 15 feet of water for more than two weeks, and the reality of what we were facing together was seen firsthand when we docked a boat on our front porch on September 18 and broke down the front door. Assets and equipment related to both of our businesses -- photography and music -- were destroyed by the salt water flooding, and we relocated to Baton Rouge, LA where we decided to stay. Returning to our home in Lakeview was simply unaffordable. In Baton Rouge, we are now members of St. Jude the Apostle's 11:30 a.m. choir; and, having found a wonderful professor to continue my organ lessons (begun in New Orleans), I am permitted access to the church organ to practice.

Looking back, my husband Juan and I are so grateful for our survival and the strength and resilience to renew our lives. I have likened the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to a "practice death," a reminder to focus our eyes on an indestructable heavenly home where loved ones await. Juan and I lost everything material, and family and friends are scattered to the winds for now, but we have each other and face new challenges together... one day at a time. God's blessings are always with us, and we embrace once again the opportunity of sharing with others our abundant love of Jesus Christ through our music.