I am a product of DC Public Schools. I graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and attended The University of the District of Columbia, Oklahoma City University and Virginia Commonwealth University. I received my BA in Fine Arts (cum laude) from Howard University in 1994. I also played the violin and won numerous piano and violin city-wide competitions. I was also crowned Miss DC National Teen.
I've had the privilege to perform with many of my favorite Musical Artists, including: Jean Carne, Pieces of a Dream, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Chuck Brown, Sugar Bear w/ Experience Unlimited (EU), Maiesha and The Hiphuggers, FishBelly Black, Miki Howard, Marc Cary, Cherrelle, Algebra Blessett, Roy Ayers, George Duke, George Clinton, Stephanie Mills, Prince, Raheem DeVaughn, Reesa Renee, Ledisi, Melanie Fiona, Lyfe Jennings, Avery Sunshine, Jill Scott, KeKe Wyatt, Lil Mo, Erykah Badu, Nonchalant, MC Lyte, Goapole, Wynton Marsalis, Maysa Leak, Deborah Bond, Big Tony(Trouble Funk), Sylver Logan Sharp, Brian Lenair, Anwan Glover/Weensey (Backyard Band), Buggs (Junk Yard Band), Lil Benny, Whiteboy & Jas Funk (Rare Essence), Dwele, Kindred, Betty Wright, Chrisette Michele, Patti LaBelle, Omar Hakim, Gerald Veasley, Ben E King, Lloyd Price, Tavares, Gene Chandler, Ronny Jordon, Najee, Eric Benet, Kim Waters, Marc Dorsey, Angela Bofil, Phil Perry, Allyson Williams, Marcus Miller, Tony Terry, Deborah Cox, Miles Jaye, Irene Cara, Maxine Nightingale, Rose Royce, Ylanla Vanzant, Thelma Houston, Anita Ward, Chaka Khan, Lenny White, Irene Cara, Taylor Dane, Richard Smallwood, Kid Rock, Sugar Hill Gang, Howard Hewitt, Case, Christopher Williams, Stevie Nicks, Chico DeBarge, Sir Elton John, Jeff Majors, Michael Bolton, Elle Varner, Doug E Fresh, Leela James, Art Sherrod, Willie Bradley and Alex Bugnon.
As a Songwriter, I have written songs on the following Pieces of a Dream’s cd’s: "You and I" feat Maysa Leak (Ahead to the Past/Blue Note Records) "Triflin" (Acquainted w/ the Night/Heads Up Int'l) "Your Love" (Acquainted w/ the Night/Heads Up Int’l) "Almost There" (Here We Go/Shanachie Records) James Lloyd My latest single, "Can't Let Go" is available on Apple Music.
As a Performer, I am featured on cd's by Artists such as Chuck Brown, Pieces of a Dream, George Clinton's Montreux Jazz Live DVD, and EU's "Um Bop Bop”, which popularized me as a DC GoGo Artist.
As a Bandleader, I established my first 5-piece Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, entitled "Confirmation", circa 1995. We performed in many local jazz venues in the DC area. In 2003, I formed an R&B/GoGo Band entitled "SweetCherie and Friends” which opened for Chuck Brown at The Classics nightclub. In 2008, I became the Musical Director for the hottest and successful all-female band Be’la Dona. I served as Musical Director for Deron Cloud's (The Soul Factory) musical “Wildflowers".
I have performed on many major tours and festivals in countries such as France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Korea, Yugoslavia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Russia, Poland, Belgium, England, The Netherlands, and the US Caribbean. I have also performed in major venues and tours such as the Eagle Bank Arena, Tom Joyner Cruise, The Capital Jazz Cruise, The Capital Jazz Festival, The Wembley Arena, The Paradiso, House of Blues, Constitution Hall, Lincoln Theatre, The Howard Theatre, DC Armory,930 Club, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Wolf Trap, City Winery, The Mansion at O Street, The Fillmore, The MGM, RFK Stadium, Capital One Arena, The Hampton Jazz Festival, The Carter Barron Amphitheater, Kennedy Center, The Birchmere, Smithsonian, Blues Alley, Ft. Dupont Park, The Blue Note franchises in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Yokohama and Nagoya, The Tokyo Billboard, The Essence Festival, The Montreux Jazz Festival, VH1 HipHop Honors, BET Bet on Jazz, The Black Girls Rock Tour and Microsoft Theatre.
Outside of performing on stage, I teach GoGo Music for the Smithsonian Institution and DC Public School’s "Teaching For Change.”program. Our goal is to introduce / educate the history and importance of GoGo to DC Public School scholars. I served as a Board Member for the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) for several years. For several years I served as a Radio Personality for the “Inside the Pocket" radio show at GoGoRadio.com
I am currently a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences also known as The Grammy's, The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), and The American Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) I have received four consecutive WAMA awards for Best GoGo Instrumentalist and six WAMA awards with Be'la Dona for Best Urban Contemporary Band, Best GoGo Recording, and Best GoGo Band. Be’la Dona received two Titan Arts Awards. Also in 2014, I received an Honorary Award at The TMOTTGoGo Honors. Be’la Dona recently received “Best Grown & Sexy Band” Award at the 2020 GoGo Awards and a “Women’s Excellence” Award from Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Music is my passion and I am grateful for my journey. I have many more goals to achieve and I am excited to share my dreams to the world. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”Philippians 4:13.
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