Playing Drum - I have played West African music on my Djembe drum for 22+ years and love it! My first teachers were in Brooklyn and, now, I study in L.A. with a Master Yoruban Drummer, Ayo Ayedemi.
Listening to live music: I love Afro-Cuban music; Rock (forever a Rocker); Folk music, Blue Grass, classical and so much more. check out Zachary's music website www.banderproductions.com or Bander Productions on Face Book.
Reading and spending time with friends.
Learning as I live about new things and growing my skills in my work and home life!
Following and engaging in the world's political and economic struggles and working to improve the lives of so many within the U.S. who are oppressed by racism, sexism and poverty.
Health and illness - the health care "system" which is both inefficient and incredbly limited. I teach about it and have studied it for years and it continues only to worsen for so many. I am also a student of differences in health and illness by culture and social class background.
As an academic & teacher, I love to learn and teach about Sex and Gender (incuding Feminist Theory); Health & Illness; Research Methods (especially now in Traditional Chinses Medicine);
Being involved with my son and step-children (some of whom have their own children now!)
Music
See above in Interests but I love and play West African music on my Djembe (a drum made (carved) from one tree, the Djembe has enormous spirit and power and is a joy to play. My drum teacher now (and for several years), Ayo Ayedemi, is a true Master Drummer from Africa whose energy fills the room with the power of his drumming. We (his students) learn and play together with Ayo in that incredible drum/ percussion space, Motherland Music, on LaCienega just off Washington -- nothing is better or more satisfying than playing with others and making music that comes together with power and soul!
I listen to a real diversity of music: Rock, Folk, Blues, R&B, Classical, African, Latin and Afro-Cuban, Pop too! It's all about the music and how it moves me that counts!
I love vocalists in particular (whether or not they also play an instrument although mostof those I love do play something). In particular (and now my son has embraced this same devotion) I am thrilled and satisfied when I can listen to creative, resonating and what we do call "perfect harmonies." I would sing and Baby Bander would sing with me (as my Pops had done with me from his background in jazz and blues, singing and, in particular, the incredible TROMBONE!!!! We'd sing harmonies in minor keys for the fun of it and for the challenge and skill of it. Using our ears to hear -- truly hear -- is so important. The women of the Blues (from early 20th century through today), brave, challenging, with voices that are powerful, layered and alway a surprise are truly gifts to music and vocalizing.
I am committed to working hard to strenthen my body while also increasing its elasticity all the while preparing and eatin gmeals of value. I plan to take Qi Gong classes to augment my other more individual exercising but Zach's commitment to helping me to exercise and feel better each day has given me a goal I so want to meet (but am challenged personally by my own lack of knowledge (trainer required), equipment and space (ask Zach as he knows the equipment I should be using and I could work in any peaceful and quiet space (no more little kids means more privacy and quiet time.
About me: A fiercely independent woman in the "third act" of my life, I embrace the liberation of being older and wiser. I can mostly be found these days on Face Book via "Rochelle Kern" or "Mama Drums" but I will try to check into My Space too. Quickest link is via Face Book these days.
More about me: I became politically active at age 14 in the Civil Rights movement and remained an activist in Civil Rights, later was active in the Anti-War (Viet Nam) Movement, the Women's Movement and today's movements for equality and civil rights related to all things gender and sexuality based! It's hard to believe these issues remain such "hot topics" to some when my network is well past that and counting!
The Women's Movement was critical since, at the time (for those too young to rememeber perhaps) we did not have access to safe, legal and available abortion. Friends became ill or nearly died from illegal visits to Tijuana (growing up in San Diego) and others were forced by families to have and then give up their babies -- too often families stopped any reference to my friends' children who were put up for adoption which was/is horrible to that person! Women's Rights can never be taken for granted and I always say: Resist!! And, of course, always "Question Authority!"
I am proudest of my son Zachary (Kern-Schnall aka Bander Productions) whose music and poetry have always defined his spirit and, now, are exploding into an incredible professional career. I am also step-mother to 5 now grown wonderful children and was blessed when I raised Zach as a single working mother with a "village" of friends. That village helped make him the incredible man he is today!
Born and raised in Southern California (San Diego) I am a true child of the 1960's. In my late 20's I took a job in New York City (at NYU right in the heart of the Village) and stayed in the city for nearly 20 years!! I am enriched by having spent so much of my life in NY (Park Slope, Brooklyn was our home) as was my son who was born and raised 11 years - and is absolutely one with the soul of a New Yorker!) Perhaps I will end up living again in NYC if Zachary ends up moving "back" to his home in Brooklyn: the future will tell.
While I enjoy my friends and lovers, I choose to live alone as I find I need that type of space to maintain my spiritual center. Balance and love. I'm a chapter in a published book "Living Single Creatively" which is a collection of essays about all sorts of folks who have chosen to live alone (without a lover or mate sharing a household) whatever their relationships to others.
Music is also a core part of my life: I am the daughter of a musician (my Pops played trombone and there was always music in my house). I've played African drum for more than 20 years (Djembe) studying with master drummers on both coasts, now with a Yoruban Master Drummer Ayo Ayedemi in Los Angeles. I've also played guitar and sing but, now, it's all about my drumming!
I am an educator -- I've taught college for nearly more than 30 years and I see the power of teachers to make progressive social change and to liberate the minds and spirits of our students! Most recently I was the Academic Dean in a graduate College of "Traditional Oriental Medicine' that graduates future licensed Acupuncturists and practitioners of this powerful Eastern medicine. This amazing medicine of 3,000 years brings power in its understanding of the importance of seeing the body and spirit together! I love work, teachiong and research that combines the ideas of Biomedicine, Public Health and, especially, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture!!!!
Who I'd like to meet: All of the early feminist pioneers who struggled for women's control of our own bodies, equality in opportunity and income, and protection of women & their children.
Any number of members of various rock bands as well as those who keep us from losing Bluegrass and Folk music which has meant so much to so many since the 1960's (and throughout the earlier 20th century).
Any of today's politically progressive and activists who give of themselves and, when they have, their financial resources to help others.
Eleanor Roosevelt; Eric Clapton (sober Eric); Janice Joplin who suffered so but also triumphed and was such a powerful energy of a woman that she continues to bring me joy and debt.
And now we are struggling for true health care reform after so many decades of horrible influence and coercion and power by the for-profit industries of health insurance, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and medical suppy producers.
Hey Shelly! How are you? I heard you were feeling a little under the weather when i was out there, hope better now!! I was looking foward to meeting you, Zach is so great! Well I'm looking foward to meeting you the next time I'm over there. peace and love.
