Design by Anjel
Home | Welcome Home | Biography | Poetry | Gallery | News | Musician's Connections | FAQs
Continued
Anjel Hawkins has expressed her exceptional musical and artistic gifts from the time she was a child, when in elementary school, she wrote poetry and songs, and performed regularly during school assemblies and Parent Teacher nights. Anjel regularly participated in large ensemble choirs and choruses, among them: The Northern Area Children's Choir (one of Maryland's largest and widely acknowledge children's choirs) with whom she recorded a solo performance of the song, "Tomorrow" from the Broadway show, Annie. She also recorded two songs in French for her elementary school for their first Christmas album, which was part of a project to raise funds for the music program in Maryland's primary schools.
Anjel performed as well with choirs at her church and schools. When Hawkins reached high school in Washington, DC, she sang with the Calvin Coolidge Senior High jazz band, which performed for famed radio talk-show host, Donnie Simpson. Under the direction (of a very progressive) instructor and professional musician, affectionately know to his students, as 'Ben-Jammin' Sands, Hawkins received much needed encouragement, guidance and mentorship that helped to cultivate her talent structure her career as an up and coming vocalist.
At the prestigious and renowned Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in Washington, DC, Hawkins studied vocal performance, musical theatre, and dance with fellow Duke Ellington alumni: R&B vocalist's Tony Terry, and Stacy Lattisaw and, Lisa Frazier, as well as with other artists, such as, actress Erica Gimpel who fulfilled the role of 'CoCo Hernandez' on the television show, Fame, and comedienne, Robin Montague. During her tenure at Duke Ellington, Hawkins became a member of The DC Youth Ensemble, (under the direction of Carol Foster) where she learned to develop and hone her skills as a performance artist, while training and performing with the cast of talented students at numerous schools, community events. Anjel has often described her experience with the DC Youth Ensemble as "an absolutely critical learning experience for any youth who has the desire to participate in the entertainment industry." She credits the program with instilling the values of discipline and respect for the craft.
After graduating from high school, Hawkins moved to Atlanta, and enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan University (AMU), and Clark Atlanta University concurrently. At AMU she was a vocal performance major with a concentration in Opera and traditional Jazz music. While at Clark Atlanta University, Anjel majored in Mass Media/Television Production. It was during this time that Hawkins worked as an Associate Producer for the television shows "Compendium", and as a Producer for the television show "Writers in Focus," for Channel 16 - The Library Channel (which has now become, FGTV Fulton County Television). The show featured the literary works of well established / published authors who were interviewed by Host, James Taylor, about their projects. Hawkins lined up guests for the show, coordinated the shoot schedule, and wrote copy for the show.
As expected, Hawkins joined and became president of her college choir and the music club at AMU. Anjel was encouraged by her professor (and unofficial marketing strategist), John Boehm to participate as a member of the Georgia State Choir. where she auditioned for and received operatic solo arias ("Oh Mio Babino" and "La Mama Morta") and twice during the three years of her participation. Hawkins was also featured as a representative of Atlanta Metropolitan University's choir, for two consecutive years on the televised special for the Annual Lighting of the Rich's Christmas Tree. In 1995, Hawkins was featured in a duet 'Operatic' performance of the Latin song, "Pie Jesus," which she and fellow student Noni Keaton sang in Latin. In 1996, the second year, Hawkins' performance with the AMC choir included a solo performance in the song, "Oh Holy Night".
With the expansion of AMC's music program which included new state-of-the-art music production equipment for the department, Hawkins and three close friends were able to set up a production studio where they began to write and produce original music for themselves and other students. Hawkins performed her original and cover songs at many Atlanta night clubs, including: her regular appearance at City Harbour Restaurant and Lounge, The A-Train, and Teddy's Underground, at Underground Atlanta. She also performed at other venues downtown and in Buckhead including: Polaris - the revolving restaurant and lounge in the downtown Hyatt Regency, The Sun Dial Restaurant (in the Westin Peachtree Hotel, in downtown Atlanta) The Parrot on Peachtree, The Purple Parrot, Mr. V's on Peachtree, The Jazz Lounge at Ritz Carleton - Buckhead, Just Jazz, Otto's. In the surrounding areas (Stone Mountain, College Park, Dekalb), Hawkins performed at Harrison's Supper Club, Vegas Lounge, she performed as a showcase artist at the Jack the Rapper convention, in 1994.
During summer breaks, Hawkins began performing with several bands, including R&B band, Kenyatta whom was hired to perform at several venues during the 1996 Olympics (including at the Olympic Village and on the main sponsor stages during the event). Hawkins also performed with funk band, Trunk of Funk, whom also had several engagements at the '96 Olympics, where they were scheduled to open for The Fugees, and for Macy-O, (James Brown's former saxophone player). Hawkins also performed with both bands at the Sweet Auburn, and the Atlanta Jazz Festivals. Hawkins worked as a session singer with several Atlanta-based music producers, including Gaylord Parson (former singer with CashFlo, "Get the Ticket"), and Larry Blackman (of Cameo) and she worked with other local Atlanta studio producers performing background vocals and as a session vocalist for many independent studios whom were producing material for new and established artists. Additionally, Hawkins appeared on several Atlanta talk shows, including, "Good Morning Atlanta", and on the pilot show for "Atlanta Live" promoting her career.
At the present time, Hawkins performs in Washington, DC metropolitan area, and is currently in production for her own (debut) CD project. The release date for the CD is currently scheduled for the fall of 2005.
Home | Welcome Home | Biography | Poetry | Gallery | News | Musician's Connections | FAQs
Last Update, February - 2005 (All Rights Reserved ©2004-2005)