Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Revisit: Breanna Sinclaire, Opera Singer

Breanna Sinclaire's life is the stuff operas are written about. She happens to be the only operatic soprano in the world who is transgender. Born in Baltimore, Breanna made her way west - graduating from the California Institute of the Arts where she earned a BFA and where her transition began. There were some very dark days following graduation and her acceptance to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she earned an MFA. Breanna was the first transwoman in the opera program. She made her debut with the San Francisco Symphony on New Year's Eve. 3 years earlier, Breanna sang the National Anthem at an Oakland A's baseball game before a crowd of 30,000. There's no way you won't be impacted by Breanna's extraordinary journey to find her true, authentic self.

Chelsea Pace, Intimacy Choreographer

Until relatively recently, the profession of intimacy coordinator in film and theater was virtually non-existent. But in the years since #MeToo, it's become much more in demand. You're about to meet and get to know intimacy choreographer Chelsea Pace, who is also a movement specialist, co-founder and head faculty of Theatrical Intimacy Education and Assistant Professor of Movement at the University of Maryland - Baltimore. For the past ten years, Chelsea has been working to develop ethical efficient and effective ways to stage intimacy, nudity and sexual violence. This is undoubtedly a conversation you won't want to miss!

Dawn Saito, Multi-disciplinary International Artist

Meet Dawn Saito, accomplished actress, writer, director, dancer, educator.  She also happens to be a Butoh performer, which in case you aren't aware, is a form of Japanese dance theater that encompasses a diverse range of activities, techniques and motivation. In her rich and varied career, Dawn has collaborated with major artists performing her work and theirs in the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America.  We're excited for you get to know this passionate, engaging, multi-talented woman.

Rotem Reshef, Action and Installation Artist

Rotem Reshef, is a process-based action and installation artist who calls both New York and Tel Aviv home.  Her work includes a range of techniques - peeling, pouring, combining natural and artificial sources and materials that shape various compositions on different canvases.  Rotem's art deals with traces of human presence versus the appearance and disappearance of nature: seasonal changes, the impact and influence of color, tone and shade on our emotions and perceptions.  Join us for fascinating conversation with this very talented and creative artist. 

Denise Roberts Hurlin, Dancer, Educator, Activist

Dancer, educator, activist, all describe Denise Roberts Hurlin.  Part of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Denise is a founding member of Parsons Dance.  She's also taught at Julliard in Manhattan, New Hampshire's Keene State College and her alma mater, Purchase College.  Denise also happens to be the founding director of Dancers Responding to Aids, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.   Under her leadership DRA has produced more than 150 events including the annual Fire Island Dance Festival and together, they've raised more than $300 million to provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals and other social services for people living with HIV.

Heather Booth, Organizer and Activist

Heather Booth is a force to be reckoned with and that's a very good thing! She is one of the country's  leading strategists when it comes to progressive issue campaigns and driving issues in elections. Heather's organizing and commitment to social justice began during the civil rights, anti-Vietnam War and women's movements of the 1960s. She also started JANE, an underground abortion service in 1965 before Roe v Wade became law. We cover a lot of territory in this open, honest, impactful conversation with a compassionate, committed woman.

Dr. Wang Newton, Drag King

You're about to meet and get to know "Dr. Wang" Newton, a Taiwanese-born American performance artist, who specializes in the art of drag or 'drag king' performance. Assigned female at birth, Dr. Wang is gender-fluid and offers social commentary on culture and politics with comedic jabs. This is one open, honest conversation with a truly fascinating guest.

Revisit: Melissa Iwai, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator

Melissa Iwai has wanted to be a children's book author and illustrator as far back as she can remember. She has illustrated more than 30 picture books, beginning with Night Shift Daddy published in 2000. Melissa also wrote and illustrated Soup Day and Pizza Day. And speaking of soup and pizza - when she's not creating visual art, Melissa can be found in her kitchen, cooking, baking and developing new recipes. In fact, she was a 2010 Cooking Light Reader Recipe winner. We're so glad Melissa took a break from creating visual and culinary art to have a conversation with us!

Revisit: Tracy Edwards, Competitive Yachtswoman, Author, and Philanthropist

How to describe Tracy Edwards? Let's start with determined, accomplished, ballsy, adventurous, passionate. In 1989, when she was in her mid-20's, Tracy and her crew of 11 females became the first-ever all-women's team to compete in the grueling, prestigious, 32,000 mile Whitbread Round the World sailing race that begins and ends in Southampton, England. How she managed to pull this off (besting male crews in their class, by the way) is the focus of the inspiring, empowering documentary, "Maiden." We are thrilled to share Tracy's story in this not-to-be-missed conversation.

Vivian Chew, Music industry, visionary, entrepreneur, co-owner of Chew Entertainment, a premiere event production fire and RVMK Recording Studio

For Vivian Chew it's all about music. While working at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), she founded the "ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards," which is celebrating its 32nd year. She's also the founder of TimeZone International, the first and only U.S. based African-American owned company that provides recording artists with a wide array of services. Vivian and her husband, Music Director/ Producer Ray are co-owners of Chew Entertainment, a premier production company. There's also their foundation, "Power2Inspire" and their New Jersey-based RVMK Recording studio. Join us for a fascinating conversation with this music biz mover and shaker.