Checking in with Dr. B.

Michael G Kernahan was born in 1947 in Palo Seco Trinidad and Tobago. He moved from Palo Seco to Manzanilla and later to St. James in the north of the island of Trinidad. In St. James, Michael joined the famous Tripoli Steel Orchestra, later touring with them through the Caribbean and to Expo ‘67 in Montreal, Canada. The orchestra performed with success returning the next year to perform at the 19...

Born in the beautiful islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Shenelle has incorporated her culture within her mathematics classroom and research. She merges mathematics and music within her lessons, which transforms her classroom into a unique experience. She has been teaching since 2013 and is now gifted certified in Georgia and College Board certified in AP Precalculus and AP Statistics. Since then, sh...

Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Carlon Lyons began his musical journey at age 9 at the Southern Marines Steel Band Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago, under the director Mr. Malamo Joseph. Carlon’s first performance was in 1994 at the National Panorama Competition held in Trinidad yearly. His love for the art form grew and he began taking part in competitions and events. In 1997 he pla...

With two hit shows currently on the air and 7 films having been released in the last ten years on television, Sherrese Moise is one of the most successful and influential producers working in the film and television industry today. Sherrese was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and works in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Sherrese, launched her company as the Managing Director & Producer of SM Elevation L...

Gerard Boucaud is a highly skilled and experienced professional with over two decades of experience in audit, information technology consulting, and music. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Gerard has a master’s degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in music, and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems. Gerard has been involved with music for many years as a perfo...

Leon Foster Thomas is a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso. His music is a blend of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and eclectic meld all his own. Critics laud him as “the next big thing on his instrument”, “...an enthralling improvisor...” (All About Jazz); “...masterful with impeccable musicianship” (When St...

Le`Roi Simmonds is a steel pan artist from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with a Bachelor's Degree in Pop Music from Florida Memorial University, and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from New York University. At the age of ten, Le`Roi started playing the steel pan with the Downstreet Pandemonium Steel Orchestra. Today, as an adult he specializes in performance, arranging, and education. Le`Roi p...

Freddy Harris III - Music is Life checks in with Dr. B “Freddy Harris III is an award-winning musician and music producer. He first made a name for himself as a steelpan player for orchestras and artists. He is the son of popular Trinidadian guitarist, Freddie Harris Jr, and has been playing in groups as a steelpan player since the age of just six, winning many awards for his musical skills. He wa...

I like to look past the sky…. Kareem Thompson is Checking in with Dr. B Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb Composer, Arranger, Steel pan virtuoso from Brooklyn, NY. Kareem got started with his family band "K.I.T Caribbean Connection" in the mid 90's. He has performed with the likes of Ludacris, Mighty S...

Immediately after graduating Midwood High School 16, Khuent Rose received a music scholarship to Florida Memorial University under the tutelage of Dr. Dawn Batson. Influenced by Jazz Professor by the late Melton Mustafa and classmates Leon “Foster” Thomas and Freddie Harris III, Rose developed an inimitable style of music. Faculty eventually encouraged other venues better suited for his advanced s...

Born around the Trinidadian culture, Kendall Williams has adopted the country's national instrument, the steel pan. From as early as the age of four, Kendall made efforts to mimic his parents as they displayed their talents in a Miami-based steel band. It wasn't long before his efforts turned into a reality as he developed his skills and passion for the instrument. As he got older his pa...

 Laura Elaine Scheele is an Indiana native, wife, mother to three wild and wonderful children, and a lifelong word nerd. Her love for language led her to writing and in 2022 her poetry was published in Bouquet of Stars: Poetry Chapel Volume 3 Chelan Harkin and Friends . Prior to writing, she was a professional singer for the Catholic church and prior to that, a kindergarten teacher with an educati...

Growing up in a highly creative, talented and entrepreneurial family, artisan Gabrielle Punch began exploring her own passion for creativity from an early age.  Over the years she has worked in several different mediums, from clay and ceramics, woodwork and paper, to photography, videography and graphic design.   20 years later in 2015, Gabrielle discovered her newest passion from leather-crafting...

The Two Legs That I Walk On - Astar Bishop is Checking in with Dr. B Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/ Astar Bishop is a camera shy practicing artist, musician, composer and educator who is passionate about cinematic music and songwriting. His art is a blend of expressionism and cubism.  Laid back and hardworking...

I live in the AND - Kenrick Noel is Checking in with Dr. B Episode 6 I live in the AND Check Dr. B's website https://www.keepyourjoyandrise.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkinginwithdrb/ Kenrick J. Noel is a musician, adjudicator, and music educator who has received accolades in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, across the Caribbean, and in his homeland of Tobago. ...

Don La Foucade  - Checking in with Dr. B Episode 5 Not just to survive but to go on and thrive! Don La Foucade is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member who has been delivering inspirational talks and workshops around the Caribbean since 1999. Don has been the featured speaker at numerous graduations and achievement day exercises, has facilitated professional development workshops for school t...

Joanna Shortt, a native of Arima, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, is a musician, educator, composer and steelpan adjudicator who has been involved in the steelband movement since the age of 12. She strongly believes in the merits of music and education and its ability to create and nurture creativity that is crucial to one’s holistic development. She is the holder of a Diploma in Education from the...

Liam Teague is Professor of Music and Head of Steelpan studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where he also directs the renowned NIU Steelband. Teague is also the recipient of an NIU Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor Award. Hailed as the “Paganini of the Steelpan”, his commitment to demonstrating the great musical possibilities of the steelpan has taken him througho...

Josh Quillen has forged a unique identity in the contemporary music world as all-around percussionist, expert steel drum (also known as the steel pan) performer (lauded as “softly sophisticated” by the New York Times), and composer. His collaborations with other composers frequently incorporate the steel drums as a core element. A member of the acclaimed ensemble Sō Percussion since 2006, Josh has...

Arddin Herbert, family man and multi talented musical director of Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, speaks with Dr. B. about his journey in life and in the steelband world. Listen to Arddin Herbert and Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra at Panorama 2020   Arddin touches on: The importance of family support systems and mentors such as Geraldine Connor and Tania Léon J’Ouvert - the...