Creative Genius #1: Dr. Robert Young

I'm very excited for you to meet our very first Creative Genius to take the spotlight on the FTFC blog!

Photography by Timothy Paule

Introducing Dr. Robert Young- Creative Genius #1

I must say he has a very impressive résumé. I highly recommend you hop on over to his page and listen to the audio or watch videos. As a matter of fact, I'm listening as I type this out. It's just simply outstanding. His rendition of Steady Study on the Boogie....loved it. Very fun. 

Short Q&A:

Q: Is there one person or event in your life that you feel influenced you the most in keeping your focus to keep reaching for success in your career?

        A:I have so many mentors in my life, but if I had to name a couple it would be Dr. Clifford Leaman (saxophone professor, University of South Carolina), and Donald Sinta (saxophone professor, University of Michigan).  These two people have been extremely helpful to me as [I] matured as a musician and teacher.  I still call them my mentors and I speak to them on a regular basis for advice and suggestions.  

Q: If you could have one super-power what would it be?

        A:I wish that I could travel through time.  I would like to see where I am 5-10 years from now.  

Q: Have you always had a desire to teach?

        A:Ever since the 11th grade I had a strong desire to teach the saxophone at the college level.  It has always been a dream of mine.

Q:Favorite musical artist/composer of all time?

          A:This question is always very hard for me to answer.  I don't know if I have a "favorite" but I do have many iconic figures that move me as a musician.  Some of these include: Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, JS Bach, Mischa Maisky, Eighth Blackbird...etc.  This list is very eclectic, but it is a good representation of my taste in music.

Bio:

Robert Young joined the faculty of SUNY-Potsdam’s Crane School of Music in the fall of 2012. Dr. Young previously held teaching positions at Wichita State University, University of Michigan, Albion College, and the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts. In the summers of 2007-2010 he was on the faculty of the M-Pulse Saxophone Workshop held at the University of Michigan where he taught with renowned professor, Donald Sinta.   Dr. Young serves as Secretary on the Executive Committee of the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA).

Dr. Young has received numerous awards of regional, national, and international acclaim including semi-finalist at the 2009 Concert Artists Guild International Competition (NYC), silver medalist at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, 3rd Prize Winner in the North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition, 1st prize of the Society of Musical Arts Competition, Winner of Tuesday Musicale of Detroit Competition, 1st Prize in the Josie Etta Daley Young Artist Competition, 3rd prize in the 2005 MTNA National Collegiate Young Artist Competition, 1st prize in the 2002 MTNA National Woodwind Competition, winner of the USC Young Artist Concerto Competition, and a finalist in the University of Michigan Concerto Competition.

He has performed with ensembles such as the PRISM Saxophone Quartet, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra, and University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared as a soloist with the Wichita State University Orchestra, Wichita State University Wind Ensemble, Minot Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Michigan Concert Band.

Dr. Young has been invited as guest artist and clinician at several colleges and universities across the country such as the Rice University, University of North Texas, Curtis Institute of Music, University of South Carolina, Furman University, University of Idaho, Minot State University (ND), Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Young earned his Doctor of Musical Arts (2010) and Master of Music (2008) degrees in saxophone performance from the University of Michigan where he studied with Professor Donald Sinta. At the University of Michigan, he studied jazz saxophone with Dr. Andrew Bishop and was a recipient of the Lawrence Teal Fellowship. Young received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Carolina (2006) in saxophone performance where he studied with Dr. Clifford Leaman.

Robert Young is a Conn-Selmer artist, and plays Selmer (Paris) saxophones exclusively. He is also endorsed by RICO International and plays exclusively on RICO Reserve saxophone reeds.

For more information or to contact him, please visit these sites.
http://www.robertyoungsax.com/
http://www.crane-saxophones.com/

I Want to Go to Buffalo Chicken Dip Nachos

I think this clip from the Boondocks will forever be the first thing I think of when I hear "buffalo chicken". 
I got this recipe from someone a few years ago who got it from some restaurant staff who swore them to secrecy. I in turn was told I couldn't share the recipe with anyone other than my mother. I abided by this for quite a while although I wanted to say "if it's that big of a secret they wouldn't have shared it with you." BUT last year sometime I was strolling around a certain well-known nation-wide grocery chain minding my own business. Then what do you know? Basically this exact same recipe was posted at an aisle end-cap with an instructional video. The only difference is they put specific brands on the ingredients. I've also seen it posted various ways all over the internet. (Some people use bleu cheese crumbles-yuck!) I believe that made my agreement null and void. I've cut down on the ranch and hot sauce from the original recipe because it was way to much. (A whole bottle of both hot sauce and ranch? I mean really? That's just wasteful unnecessary.) So lucky you, I get to share.  I should also note that I don't use as much celery as is listed here, simply because I'm not much of a celery fan. But if you omit it, it feels like it's missing the crunch. Here goes:

Buffalo Chicken Dip/Nachos

1 lb of shredded white meat chicken, cooked
    (You can use 2 can of chunk chicken or some mildly seasoned leftover chicken if you'd like.)
1/2 cup chopped jalapenos
    (Use fresh if you like it super spicy or pickled if you want to turn the heat down a bit.)
3-5 celery chutes, chopped
3/4 cup of your favorite hot sauce or buffalo wing sauce
8pz pkg cream cheese
1 cup of ranch dressing
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
bag of tortilla chips
(If desired, garnish with salsa, sour cream, celery, cracker crumbles, lettuce,etc)

In a large pot or pan at medium hot on the stove top saute chicken, celery  and jalapenos. When it's semi-browned and well blended, add cream cheese. Stir until melted and well blended. Add hot sauce and ranch. Stir. Reduce heat. Let simmer maybe 10 minutes at least. 
If all you wanted was a bowl of dip to set out, then stop here.

Now to make some nachos.
In a pan, line sections with foil (like in the shape of a bowl) for however many individual servings you'll need (up to 6). Toss tortillas in each. Cover each with dip as much or as little as you're planning on eating/sharing.  Sprinkle with both cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Put this in the over on low heat or warm just long enough for the cheese to melt. When individual portions are ready, top it with salsa and sour cream or whatever else as desired. Even more jalapenos if it so pleases you. :)


Now you may (blow first) delight in your super spicy snack!

-Until again-

**Did you try this or a variation of it? How did you like yours? Comment below.**

Calling All Artists and Chefs (Well The Good Ones At Least)

 Happy Thursday guys!
I'll begin posting some spotlights for visual, musical, literary, and culinary artists in the near future.  If you or anyone you know may be interested (visual or musical artists, dancers, writers and aspiring chefs) please let me know and/or forward them this link. I'll check them out.  All I'll need is for the artist or chef to email a photo, a bio (which can be very professional or laid back however you choose) and a link to your website(s) if you have one. If/when I choose to post a spotlight I may send you an email back asking you a few extra fun/serious questions (no more than 5). I'll also let you know when you will be featured--if you are featured. If I've already sent you a personal invitation, you will definitely be featured, pending your agreement to participate.  I usually make it policy to use aliases for people mentioned on the blog. But the artist spotlight will contain your actual name or stage-name for obvious reasons. Bios may be subject to editing.
I may add a section for "awesome kid artists" as well if there's enough feedback.
 Thanks a bunch for your time! Have a blessed day.

photo by Tragena Owen of Determined Dreams
quote by Mel El

Happy Easter!

Pictured: My feet & one of my old Bibles
Photography by Tragena Owen

    As Easter approaches this weekend, I've been celebrating my Rebirthday all month.  Yes, 15 years ago this month, I gave my life to Christ, accepted salvation through Jesus, and was water baptized. No, I don't celebrate this like a regular birthday, expecting those I love to shower me with love and giving myself little treats along the way. Rather this is time for me to: reflect on my relationship with God; think of ways to improve it; DO that; and just be even more ecstatic to show God my appreciation for him. I feel it most appropriate that I'm getting to witness a budding relationship He's developing with a friend during this time. 

   As a result of some things we've talked about at church, I'm trying to be more specific in my prayers in order for them to be more effective. I've taken the time to stumble through some old notebooks from past years where I keep bible study/church notes, prayer requests, goals, etc. I find it absolutely amazing and beautiful how faithful God is to me, to all of us. All of those answered prayers I was thumbing through- some things I wrote out of desperation at the time. God answered. I kept moving on with life, almost to forget those things He'd done time and time again. If that sounds like me be ungrateful, well then I'd have to agree. If I've been so forgetful at all of the Greatness shown toward me, how can I continue to expect more? Because God is Good anyhow, that's why. I'm so glad His Love for me is not dependent on my current state in my relationship with Him. So, this is why it is good to reflect when we can. Sometimes we (I) need to be reminded of things past, if only to lift our faith that somehow has gotten down. Reflection. Thank God for that. 

   I couldn't begin to tell you of everything God has done for me in the past 15 years-- or even in the past 28. There is not enough time in the world for that. I can say, our relationship has not been wonderful the entire 15 years. That is all my fault alone. In fact, I had no idea who God really was until at least 5 years later during my college days off on my own away from family and friends. I was so lucky and blessed enough to surrounded with wonderful young Jesus followers during that time. I had been in church all my life, but at this place I went once your were in, that was it. There was no, "my next step". No new disciples class. I didn't know anything about "relationship" whatsoever. So being surrounding by other people, exposed to new things, having my own experiences really opened my eyes, nourished my soul, rekindled that fire. To those "chosen" few I am very grateful. They know who they are. And don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing that church by any means. I love that church. It helped lay the ever important foundation. It wasn't until I was older that I realized it was the blind leading the blind. No one knew what was next--therefore it wasn't taught. But praise God He didn't let it stay that way. Over these years, I've been a Jesus freak. I've also gone long periods where I seemingly ignored Him because I was too distracted by some boy. I've gone through times where I just didn't understand why God would have me go through such a tough time. I've been elated. I've been frustrated. I've experienced pure Joy during times when others would say I shouldn't have even be smiling and just down in the dumps. No matter if I've given this relationship with Him my all in every moment or not, He's always been there offering guidance, support, and love. It is very appropriate that "One Thing Remains" has been stuck in my head all week!

   I know I'm not always His best representative. This week I've been thinking... How many times have I talked about someone behind their back instead of trying to help them? How many people could I have given a smile too by doing something nice but did not  because I was too self-absorbed at the moment? How many times did I miss a great opportunity for pray or reading the word because I wanted to sleep or play on Facebook? I'm grateful that I've been afforded yet another year here on Earth to do better. I'm betting if we had a conversation on this topic, I wouldn't seem like I have "15 years experience" in this. So, I have to up my game. This ReBirthday, I'm striving to do better with each day that passes and be the best Jesus follower I can possibly be. 

   To my friends, family, brothers and sisters in Christ who are reading this that have supported and nourished my walk along the way I say this : THANK YOU very much front he bottom of my heart! You will never know just how much you mean to me in this journey!  And just for Sticky and Bendy (you know who you are), I HAVE to add in this "Birthday" song by Canton Jones link. Only they could appreciate it. I also want to say Happy Rebirthday to Sticky as well.  

   I encourage you to reflect on your life and what could be changed, and Who could be added (if not already) this Easter holiday season. I'd say forget the bunnies and eggs, but remember this.... NOBODY likes finding an empty egg. Those get tossed in disappointment very quickly. If you don't have Jesus in your heart, you are walking around empty--just like that egg. The good news is, all you have to do is sincerely invite Him in, and He'll come and make it all snug and warm and fuzzy. :)   Please, don't stay on empty. I don't want you to get tossed! I want you to get your fill! All love. :)  

Happy Easter!

~Until Again~

Sunday update

I've been busy organizing and such so that I can properly prep for scrap-booking and a few other personal projects. I gotta say....Friday evening and Saturday were two of the most productive days (home chores-wise) I've had in a long time (or at least since moving a few months ago). Needless to say, this has made me fairly useless today and a bit sore all over also.  But as I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm excited to get started on these projects--which I'll be sharing as they come along. But just so you don't feel like, I've left you with nothing, I'm including a pic of the super good and juicy steak I marinaded while I was getting all that work done. I deserved this treat last night. Very much so.

-Until again-