Back to School with RACHEL PANAY!

Hey all!

Another exclusive Q&A for you this afternoon... this time with Rachel Panay, a reigning DIVA from June '07!

Rachel's busy promoting her latest single "It's Got to Be Love." (Check out the Lenny B mix... that's my personal fave ;) ) But she took some time to chat with us about our "Back to School" theme. Now that it's October - and yes, the new DIVA and DIVO of the month will be announced in just a few days! - we'll be trading in that theme for a new one. (Hint: It's Halloween-related). But we love us some Rachel, so we thought she'd be the perfect gal to close out the September Beat Blog theme.

Oh, and if you haven't already, be sure to check out our previous Q&A with Evan Cowden. Like Rachel, he's a grad from the distinguished Berklee College of Music in Boston. Interesting to see how their responses compare!!Without further ado...

RACHEL PANAY goes "Back to School..."

Rachel's milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. Aw, wait... that's a sundae.

QUESTION: What's the #1 thing you learned - about music, about business, or just about life! - during your college days?

RACHEL PANAY: Hm.....there is so, so much. But what's really striking me right now is that there always seem to be artist types who focus ONLY on their art and neglect the business end to the detriment of their own chances at success. THEN there are those that focus so much on business that the art suffers... and yet they wonder why with all of their networking and pushing, they are not succeeding! So it's an interesting irony. So it's working on the balance: if you are singer, did you vocalize TODAY? If you are a writer, did you take a minute to note down the song ideas that are coming to you TODAY? If you dance, when was the last time you took a class and absorbed the style of a new and different choreographer? Then on the end of business, do you keep your marketing tools updated and representing the newest and best you have to offer?

Heavy questions, right?! They haunt me everyday!

Q: What was your LEAST favorite class? Why?

RP: Music Notation! We had to do our work with these ridiculous antiquated caligraphy pens & I am NOT a neat writer at all. I had ink stains all over my hands all the time!

Q: Any favorite Boston haunts during your Berklee days? Maybe a special spot where you loved to study, or a favorite hotspot where you loved to take a study break?

RP: The reflecting pool at Christian Science Center! I loved everything about it, the pool itself, the stained glass windows in the chapel, the flowers lining the pool, the fountain at the end of the pool. I loved it so much my boyfriend at the time brought my birthday cake out there one summer and he lit candles and sang happy birthday to me. Beautiful memories.


The reflecting pool at the Christian Science Center in Boston.

Q: Not every day is "Animal House," but every college has its share of wild parties. What's the craziest thing that you recall from those years?

RP: I did not party at all in college! Seriously, I was a loner goody goody girl! No one believes me when I say this now thought! Wonder why?!

I only recall one run in with too many shots of tequila and an apartment shared by too many long haired rock guitarists. That's all I remember! Haha! That's the thing about good girls... when they let loose it's dangerous! No, seriously... I studied and practiced, wrote songs, recorded and spent time with my only boyfriend throughout that time. Very little of that party stuff.

Q: What would you suggest to other students looking to make their way in the music business?

RP: Start making your plan now! Decide where you want to live when you graduate, what genre you want to focus on, and how you will make money to support your dream if it doesn't take off right away. AND understand yourself, know yourself......do you have what it takes to pursue your dream for maybe even 10 years before anything starts to happen? If not, then you were not cut out for this life because most people I know had to wait just about that long.....give or take a few years of course!

Q: Finally, make your old teachers proud: What are your upcoming music plans?

RP: They will be surprised to know that I am actually seriously delving into jazz and the "American Songbook." I have my Dance stuff which I LOVE, but the love and NEED of jazz was planted in my heart and soul since attending Duke Ellington High School for the Arts in DC. Meaning to say, I can never go too long without replenishing myself in that world.

When I was at Berklee I focused more on my original Pop/R&B projects, even though I was an Arranging major and had to sing quite a bit of Jazz. So I think they would be surprised to know what a love I have for it and how well I am told my voice lends itself to this genre. In fact, most people say my persona is more the jazz chanteuse than the wailing club diva.

So all that repertoire and musicianship will NOT be going to waste, I PROMISE!

There you have it!
I hereby suggest a national touring act of Jazzified Dance Divas... perhaps a trio of Kristine W, Deborah Cox and Rachel Panay. Whaddaya say, ladies??

;)
JOHNNY