Ya’ll.. I’m playing Coalhouse Walker Jr in Ragtime!! I won’t lie.. something told me this day would come and I’m beyond grateful to see it in the flesh. Thank God for my Into The Woods director, the phenomenal #leardebessonet for orchestrating this. @caissielevy I can’t wait to finally work with you! @branuran let’s make something special🙌🏿 can’t wait to be back home @nycitycenter soon. Coalhouse Walker Jr. I can’t wait to give you everything I have. So honored!! #coalhousewalkerjr #ragtime #intothewoods #citycenterencores #dreamroles
Ya’ll.. I’m playing Coalhouse Walker Jr in Ragtime!! I won’t lie.. something told me this day would come and I’m beyond grateful to see it in the flesh. Thank God for my Into The Woods director, the phenomenal #leardebessonet for orchestrating this. @caissielevy I can’t wait to finally work with you! @branuran let’s make something special🙌🏿 can’t wait to be back home @nycitycenter soon. Coalhouse Walker Jr. I can’t wait to give you everything I have. So honored!! #coalhousewalkerjr #ragtime #intothewoods #citycenterencores #dreamroles
Rehearsal = where the work starts. I’ve been guilty of being too obsessed about reaching people that I forget about the people right in front of me- lol gotta check in with myself. Promised myself when I was 18, if I ever “made it” as an artist I would give my all to every moment working in a piece of art. I’ve learned that that means giving your all to those around you on the same journey. Shout out to all the performers @jimmyawards – saw a video recapping the night and it was so inspiring 🙌🏿 #rehearsal #GrowWithThat #ThatGrowthLife #actorlife #artistlife
Growth ain’t easy. There are moments that feel like flying and others that feel like crawling through mud. What I do know is constant comfort is the opposite of growth and THAT is where I don’t want to be. So this is me fighting/wrestling with WHAT MY DREAM COME TRUE REQUIRES OF ME. I know I got this and this is just a moment of frustration. As George C Wolfe says “don’t rush through your failure and your frustration” just know brighter days are ahead ☀️ #ThatGrowthLife #GrowWithThat #selftapeaudition
Took me 17yrs to make my @metopera debut! And I’m not done dreaming… I’m so proud of myself- celebrating the gift that God has given me to share. What an honor! Also shoutout to @dariusdehaas who originated this song so gloriously. You’ve inspired so many. Thank you 🙌🏿 #DreamingBig #singersongwriter #lostInTheWilderness #stephenschwartz 📸 @1superniro
How many are sitting on a song they haven’t finished? 🙋🏾♂️ ..a script that needs an ending? 🙋🏾♂️.. a dance that needs one more count of 8 to be finished? An album?? Etc.. Please stop obsessing over perfection!! Our greatest artistic teacher is the starting and FINISHING of tasks. Set a deadline and even if it’s messy.. Have something to present. Show it to a friend or someone you respect and then keep going, refining, sharpening. I’m literally learning this right now in @theconversationbyjh Thank you @jamesclear for these words🙌🏿 – – – – #finishwhatyoustart #broadway #thatgrowthlife #atomichabits #artistmotivation #growthmindset #creativityeveryday
Before I do any role on stage, I make sure I can sing it with my acoustic. It helps me get it in my body more. While I probably won’t sing it like this @nycitycenter in October as Coalhouse Walker Jr., this process is essential to making it “Joshua’s first”. I’ll respect what has come before me And make it my own. Just letting yall in on the process waaaay before it hits the stage:) #growWithThat #thatgrowthLife #ragtime #becomingCoalhouse #acousticmusic
Some Melodie’s just hit different.. #newMusic is one of my favorite #Ragtime songs. It feels an innocence that is slipping away. More process: Coalhouse Walker Jr. is credited in the show as the creator of Ragtime music, so.. of course, I must know how to play it. I don’t even know if I’ll play during the show @nycitycenter but I’m going in.. all the way. If nothing else I’ll get a better understanding of the character, the music, the composer’s choices and the time period. We’re months away from October but I feel something really important happening as I prepare for this role. Something Waaay bigger than me… #growWithThat #RagtimeMusical #scottjoplin #broadway #learningpiano #alwayslearning #musicianlife
My first born son Samson is much older than this now but I’m just sharing because I love him so much. Been sharing music with him since his angel mother @cathenry101 gave birth to him. He’s such an incredible human. Brought out more love in me than I knew I had❤️ – – – – – #fatherhood #fathersandsons #familymusic #priceless #familymoments
The new R and B = Ragtime and Blues 😆 But really.. I’m Finding more and more joy in singing this music prepping to play Coalhouse Walker Jr. in RAGTIME @nycitycenter this coming October. Sometimes I’m jamming, other moments I’m weeping. The greatest songs can cross genres easily while still making you feel so much. If you don’t know #flahertyandahrens (the Ragtime Musical composers) get to know them!! And… For a deeper dive into RAGTIME music.. google SCOTT JOPLIN- the black man who was the original pioneer or “king of Ragtime”. I’m having way too much fun with this..😀 #Ragtime #bluesmusic #scottjoplin #broadway #newmusic #ragtimemusical
Do your best. If you have 10 minutes to hug your kids, 10 minutes to work out, 10 minutes to cook.. whatever time you have DO YOUR BEST. That, you can control 😅 – – – – – – #mondayMotivation #artistinspiration #actorslife #realtalk #ThatGrowthLife #GrowWithThat
BE WHERE YOU ARE 💫 It’s a struggle sometimes to be where and who you are.. in all of your contradictions, in the face of a world/industry/ that says “look amazing all the time.. or else!” Now.. full disclosure it feels good to spruce up! I’ve had stylists and makeup and I probably will continue to on certain occasions. But that is not where I live ALL the time. And I’m not gonna front like I do.. cause why?? All I’m saying is it’s ok to show yourself where you are. It’s liberating for me while others will keep scrolling-lol and that’s ok too. Who I am is not for everyone. Be you! Ps- you’re gonna see that black sweater a lot- lol So comfy – – – – – #mondaymotivation #artists #artgrowth #growthmindset #artistinspiration
Some of my favorite moments from #GetUpStandUp from my show w/ the Columbus Symphony! @01andreslopera conducting:) Thank you @matthewsilkins #livemusic #symphony #broadway #johnlegend #soulmusicmatters
Take this moment if you need it. Slow down, take a breath. Summon it. Pray on it, meditate on it. Regroup, restore, reset. – – – – – #peace #restore #soulmusic #healingmusic
This @thebostonpops crew is insanely good! Like.. staggeringly good. Doing our first show tonight @bostonsymphony ! Thank you @jasondanieley for assembling us and @georgiastitt for your incredible music supervision🙌🏿 check out my stories for tix!! Also, thank you #jeaninetesori @lin_manuel @davidyazbek @masterguan @thelivingmichaeljackson #adamguettel for your brilliant music🙌🏿 #bostonpops #broadwaymasters #broadway #kimberlyakimbo
Had a wonderful talk with this group from @barringtonstage summer theater program about art, life, technique, and creativity. Afterwards we jammed on my song Hold Me (which you should download on Spotify!) they had amazing questions. I LOVE to younger artists and sharing my story to help inspire whatever they do next. Loved y’all and can’t wait to share the stage/screen with ya! Keep growing always! #musicaltheater #holdme #fyp #barringtonstage #GrowWithThat
This is GET UP STAND UP! A show I created that celebrates the power of Soul music and Broadway. I Cant wait to share it in Ohio @newalbanyohio June 25th at 8pm with @columbussymphony at the #hinsonamphitheater 🙌🏿 tix available in my bio.. get ready to get up 🔥 Footage taken @promusicacolumbus – – – – – #columbusmusic #ohiomusic #broadway #hamilton #soulmusic #columbusohioart #whenamanlovesawoman #samcooke #sizzle
Thanks for the writing help for my last post @nccarrieb @beth.zucker @schiapparentlybecameasnyder Which chorus do we like best??? #songwritingchallenge
Thanks for the writing help for my last post @nccarrieb @beth.zucker @schiapparentlybecameasnyder Which chorus do we like best??? #songwritingchallenge
Thanks for the writing help for my last post @nccarrieb @beth.zucker @schiapparentlybecameasnyder Which chorus do we like best??? #songwritingchallenge
Thanks for the writing help for my last post @nccarrieb @beth.zucker @schiapparentlybecameasnyder Which chorus do we like best??? #songwritingchallenge
Finally found my barbershop! @keycuts 🙌🏿 black owned, family friendly, great cuts! They are incredible! – – – – – #barbershop #supportblackbusiness #keycutsbarbershopmontclair
Come through @barringtonstage tomorrow June 9th and June 10th at 8pm for some acoustic Soul, Broadway, and original music🙌🏿 🎸 intimate setting, gonna feel like we’re camping under the stars.. something I’ve never done lol #broadway #barringtonstagecompany #mrfinnscaberet #hamiltonmusical #waitressmusical #soulmusic
