Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

It's not often we see a woman's name next to the title: Head of Development and Production. But that's exactly what Jessica Harrop does for Sandbox Films, a new mission-driven documentary company. An Emmy-nominated filmmaker in her own right, Jessica has dedicated her career to making movies that inspire passion about science. Her passion is contagious and we know you'll be inspired by this accomplished, committed, creative woman.

It's no surprise that there are far fewer women conductors than there are men. HOWEVER, the times, they are a changin.' Women are cracking that glass ceiling and while the percentage is small, it only serves to encourage other women to pick up the baton. One of those women is Kalena Bovell, Assistant Conductor - Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She has an impressive resume, having worked at the Civic Orchestra of New Haven, the Hartford and St. Louis Symphonies. Join us as Kalena shares her love, passion and joy for making beautiful music.

Ann Farmer writes...a lot. An independent journalist and longtime contributor to Emmy magazine, Ann's profiled actors, tv writers, directors and producers. She also spent 10 years with The New York Times covering crime and breaking news. Ann's articles have appeared in the Village Voice, Dance Magazine, the DGA Quarterly and the American Bar Association's Perspectives Magazine. She researched, wrote and produced Lock and Key, a criminal justice show that aired on Court TV. Clearly, there's plenty to talk about with this very prolific, accomplished and creative woman.

Director, screenwriter, producer, instructor - all describe Tanzanian-American filmmaker Ekwa Msangi, who divides her time between Kenya and New York. Her latest project and first feature film, is the award-winnIng and critically acclaimed FAREWELL AMOR. It tells the story of an Angolan immigrant, whose wife and daughter join him in the States after a 17year separation. It is powerful, emotional, life-affirming. Ekwa's goal as an artist is "to transform our society's images and relationships with African cultures and to empower African filmmakers in telling their stories." Join us as Ekwa, direct from Nairobi, shares her story.

Afa Dworkin is passionate about promoting diversity in classical music and does so as President and Artistic Director of The Sphinx Organization. It supports a national roster of distinguished musicians of color and reaches more than 2 million people worldwide. Its network has grown to more than 60 symphony orchestras. An accomplished violinist, Afa is a recipient of Kennedy Center's Human Spirit Award and was named one of Musical America's Top 30 Influencers. We're excited for you to meet and get to know this talented, committed musical mover and shaker!

Meeting and getting to know so many creative women got me to thinking: why not start a bit younger - really younger? And so… I reached out to a pair of creative girls who I know very well: Ella and Clara Klein, my 7-1/2 and 5-1/2 year old granddaughters! Creativity is second nature to these two. They love to paint, draw, work with clay, make their own pinatas, read, write their own stories and plays, and work on special projects with their very creative parents. So join me for CWCW's first ever conversation with the 'younger set.'

This is a first for me - having a conversation with a creative woman in Moscow! Inna Blokhina, a journalist who worked at several major Russian television networks, also happens to be a filmmaker. She formed her own company, "Inwaves Production," and in 2012 completed her first full-length documentary, ON THE WAVE. Believe it or not....it's all about...surfing in the Soviet Union! Who knew? That was followed by her latest film, the award-winning SHE IS THE OCEAN. It follows 9 women from around the world, whose profound love for the ocean, is the 'tie that binds.' Plenty to talk about with this female force of nature! 

Kate Hackett is another creative woman whose career involves the big screen.  She happens to be an Emmy winner for her editing expertise on the Netflix series, CHEER, which chronicles the high stakes cheerleaders face. Her editing credits include the Emmy winning series, LAST CHANCE U and the Sundance documentary HALF THE PICTURE. Kate has directed art films for large screen concerts and her latest project, OLEANDER, is a short about a sexually active teen who wages a social media war against her Christian abstinence program. Kate plans to make OLEANDER into a full length feature. 

Author, journalist, public speaker, educator, world traveler, musician - all describe Dori Jones Yang. Dori's written 7 books - her most recent, WHEN THE RED GATES OPENED, marks her first memoir. It follows her 8 year stint as a foreign correspondent for BusinessWeek. She was one of the first Americans to cover China during the tumultuous 1980s - when its leaders allowed private enterprise and free markets - but also when a million peaceful protestors filled Tiananmen Square demanding democracy. This is one riveting, uplifting, fascinating conversation you won't want to miss!

Eva Noblezada took Broadway by storm several years before being named one of the honorees of Forbes Magazine's prestigious 30 under 30 list for 2020. At the 'ripe old' age of 17, Eva was cast as Kim, the lead in the 2014 and 2017 revivals of MISS SAIGON, for which she earned her first Tony nomination for Best Actress in a musical. Tony nomination #2 was for her performance as the Eurydice in the hit musical HADESTOWN. And now, Eva's impressive list of credits includes the big screen. She makes her film debut in YELLOW ROSE - which follows a Filipino teenager in Texas, determined to pursue dreams of becoming a country music star. We cover a lot of ground in this open, honest, no holds barred conversation!