We were lucky to catch up with LaSheena V. Gordon recently and have shared our conversation below.
LaSheena V., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
First I will list a revised AI summary of my story and then I will copy the unfiltered version for you to craft as desired for the needs of the article.
AI Edit #1
In her journey to becoming a confident singer and music teacher, LaSheena has been guided by a diverse group of mentors who have shaped her musical education. From instructors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and various community colleges to professionals from prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Opera, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Juilliard, LaSheena’s path has been enriched by the wisdom and expertise of those who believed in her potential.
One of her mentors, a retired Elementary Director of Fine Arts, provided LaSheena with opportunities to perform on stage and learn from her experiences in the world of Jazz music. Another significant influence was Grammy award-winning Bass player Victor Wooten, who emphasized the importance of starting with what students bring to the classroom and not teaching the music out of them. These personal stories of mentorship and guidance have been instrumental in LaSheena’s growth as a musician and educator.
Despite facing challenges such as balancing multiple jobs and family responsibilities, LaSheena’s dedication to her craft never wavered. With the support of mentors like a jazz musician from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and a retired Metropolitan Opera singer, she honed her skills and discovered her unique voice. Through perseverance and determination, LaSheena overcame self-doubt and societal expectations to pursue her passion for music.
As she reflects on her journey, LaSheena acknowledges the invaluable lessons she has learned from her mentors and the technical skills she has acquired along the way. From mastering the science of the voice to teaching blend and finding her role as a soloist and choir member, LaSheena’s musical education has been a transformative experience. She now uses her talents to inspire others and create meaningful connections through music.
Looking ahead to the future, LaSheena remains grateful for the opportunities that music has brought into her life. Whether performing on stage or mentoring aspiring musicians, she continues to share her love of music with others and hopes to make a positive impact in the lives of those she encounters. As she embarks on the next chapter of her musical journey, LaSheena’s story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and the transformative nature of music. You can see her perform live under the direction of Conductor Chris Cross at the Carnegie Hall, New York New England Symphonic Ensemble on June 15, 2025. Please follow her on Facebook, IG, Tiktok, and YouTube at LaSheena V. Gordon (Reed)”
AI Edit #2
I learned to sing with confidence and teach others the basics by continuing my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and various community colleges. My mentors, including professionals from the Metropolitan Opera, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Juilliard, were instrumental in shaping my musical journey. Another mentor, a retired Elementary Director of Fine Arts, provided me with valuable opportunities to perform and learn from her experiences in Jazz music.
Reflecting on my learning process, I realize that continuous growth is key, and I have been fortunate to encounter inspiring individuals who have helped me evolve. Grammy award-winning Bass player Victor Wooten emphasized the importance of starting with students’ strengths and not teaching the music out of them. Through personal stories and mentorship, I have gained valuable insights into music and pedagogy.
One significant experience was returning to school as a single mother of three, juggling multiple jobs while pursuing my passion for music. Despite the challenges, mentors like a jazz musician from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra supported and encouraged me to embrace the music and prioritize my education. Another pivotal moment was beginning voice lessons with a retired Metropolitan Opera Singer, who helped me discover my unique voice and challenged me to explore new vocal techniques.
As I continue my journey as a music teacher, I am committed to creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds to explore classical music. Through personal and professional growth, I aim to inspire others and make a positive impact through music. My technical skills, learned from esteemed professors and mentors, have equipped me to teach, perform, and connect with students on a deeper level.
Looking ahead, I am grateful for the opportunities music has brought into my life and the chance to share my passion with others. As I navigate the next chapter of my musical journey, I remain dedicated to using music as a tool for connection and empowerment. Each city I have lived in has provided unique opportunities to perform and grow as a professional musician, and I look forward to the future with optimism and enthusiasm.
LaSheena’s Unedited response:
I learned to sing with confidence as well as teach others the basics that I know by continuing my education through the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (as well as several other community colleges), angels on Earth who were extraordinarily gifted, experienced in the professional world including but not limited to a Director from Canada, the Metropolitan Opera, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, University of Southern California, and Julliard. These were all dreams that I would have loved to have been able to afford, yet life still allowed for these people to become my instructors and they were all willing to teach me the craft of music and pedagogy. Another mentor of mine just recently retired from the Little Rock School District as their Elementary Director of Fine Arts and she is a world traveled instructor and Jazz performer and composer. She took me under her wings and gave me an opportunity to sing with her on stage as well as shadow her as we enjoyed live Jazz and Soul music shows. These people did not all look like my hue of skin color and they definitely did not have the background story that I had. But I have a dozen times a dozen of stories of how they heard me, saw me, and then poured into me. This is how I learned what I do.
Knowing what I know now, it’s hard to say that I would have sped up my learning process. I literally feel like I’m always learning and always behind. I’ve had great opportunities to encounter living legacies who have helped me reframe the way I think. Grammy award winning Bass player, Victor Wooten pulled me on stage at a Music Educator’s conference. It was after he’d demonstrated the importance of music teachers remembering to start with what our students bring to the class room and then build from there and to be careful not to teach the music out of them. The demonstration included a seasoned teacher with beautiful silver curls who was preparing to retire. She came on stage with her acoustic guitar and played a simple folk song. He asked her, “What were her biggest fears?” She began to say the things we as those in leadership say. If you’re an educator, mentor, parent, Aunt, Uncle, G-mommy, G-Pop, or any other title that is defined as someone with significant influence and responsibility of inspiring, guiding, and teaching others then you’ve said the following: “I hope I have prepared them for what’s next?”, “I’m not sure that I was the person for this job because I don’t have enough experience.”, “Maybe I’m too old.”, or “Maybe I’m too young.”, etc. This was the same thing the teacher did and each time she listed a fear, Victor placed an item on her. First a big chain to hang around her neck. Next lawn goggles. Then Big Garden Gloves., and finally after all of the items were on her, he gave her her guitar back and asked her to play the simple folk song. Guess what?! She couldn’t even give the students what she as so little. He reminded us to remember, that what we have is what we need. Where we are is where are supposed to be.
I will include other examples. You will have to choose, because there are too many and they are soooo good!
1) When I returned to school as a 26 year divorced single mother of 3, I had an instructor who was a white, jazz musician, a professional in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and he was 40 and had never been married. I worked 3 jobs! I worked on the weekends overnight at a Marriott Hotel due to an angel boss who gave me a chance at a job that I’d never done. I worked as a server at PFChang’s Restaurant. I worked during the holidays at Bath & Body Works. I worked during the daytime at the Peabody Hotel. I was the classroom mother for my Kindergartner. I joined the Gospel choir to get a music scholarship and took one additional course. I crashed a car in a ditch once falling asleep behind the wheel and knew I would have to give somewhere. I have a voice teacher who finally told me that I will stay sick because I was always working and that at some point, I was going to have to bet on myself and take a student loan or something and just finish school. She also said she had taken me as far as she could, and she knew it was time to graduate me to a professor who could get me to my upper level jury scores required for the next level of my education journey. The significance of these individuals and my work load is that their lives looked nothing like mine! Yet, the Jazz Musician, former military band member, and single white male is the person who sat me down and told me to experience the music and not let it pass me by. He also told me to never allow my children to be a reason that I didn’t finish school. I was taking a beginner’s course of Music Theory, and he said my children would learn with me. He allowed me to bring them to classes, and I still remember my little ducklings sitting in desk next to me as I passed my final! After that, doors just kept opening. If I voiced a desire or a challenge, someone always helped or guided me.
2) Another story is when I first began voice lessons with the retired Metropolitan Opera Singer Edward Crafts. I was so intimidated because German was a language that I struggled with. Once I began with him, he required me to learn the IPA of each foreign song. It allowed for me to tell a story as I sang, understand the phonetic rules, and enjoy the melody lines. He then asked me to make a big sound like a Wagnerian Opera singer. To which I replied, ” Okay. What’s that?” He then proceeds to refer to those cartoon characters on Bugs Bunny with the big hats with the horns on them. I immediately visualized what he was describing and let out a loud “AHHHH”. He said, and now we begin the process of finding your voice. I don’t believe we’ve discovered your voice. He then proceeds to play a beautiful voice singing the aria “O Mio Babbino Caro”. The singer was the Leontyne Price! He’d been privileged to witness her at a master class and asked me what I thought of the voice. I explained, she sounds like she has a cloud or dark chocolate in the back of her throat. He began to teach me the difference between a coloratura soprano and a spinto, Wagnerian, and Lyric Spinto Soprano. I realized, I didn’t have to try and sound like Charlotte Church, a young sensational beautiful soprano who’s voice was not the same timbre and texture as mine. Then he shows me her picture and I see that she is a black female, respected by the whole world of Opera! I’d never seen a brown face in the classical world. I’d just learned what the Metropolitan Opera was and that the cut off was 30 years old. I was 30 years old! Now what? I told him that I was too late and he said, “No. You’re just in time, LaSheena. Many have to wait until their voices mature at 35 to land the major roles.” I determined that day, that as I continued my journey of becoming a music teacher, that there would never be a brown student, or any student for that matter that said “I didn’t know that there was a place for me in the world of classical music.” They could say, “No thank you, but never “I didn’t know” as I had.
Full circle moment, almost a decade ago, I volunteered for a colleague in Arkansas. He is now a friend that I call brother. He asked me to work with his choir as they prepared for a competition. He then had me work for a competition that he held. His mission was to not only to teach all students, but to create music that matched the vibrato and color of the students of all ethnicities. I moved to the Dallas area of Texas from Little Rock, AR in July of 2021. Chris Cross ended up getting a job to teach music in San Antonio a year later. Fast forward to May 14th, 2025, Chris reaches out to me and tells me that an opportunity has come up and he needs me to be a soloist for the debut of his original composed music at the Mid America Music Festival at Carnagie Hall in New York City! I am a 48 year old, who’s older children, “the little ducklings” are now 28, 26, 22. I had a second marriage for a decade and although it did not last, I have a beautiful 17 year old son, who has received 4 D1 Football scholarship offers as a rising senior scheduled to graduate in the Fall of his Senior Year! As a momma of 3 boys and 1 girl, I used to take each child with me to Opera rehearsals for the Memphis Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Worship leader rehearsal, outings that included their special hobbies, teaching, coaching volleyball games, or allowing them to sit in on rehearsals or audition and perform for theater musicals with me. I call my children my “saving graces”. They kept me from doing some really dumb stuff and were my inspiration to learn to love and celebrate myself the way that I love and celebrate them. They gave me strength that I didn’t even know I had to finish my AA in General Studies2011, my BA in Music 2014, and my Master’s in Education with an emphasis in Music in 2016. They will forever be the greatest most beautiful piece of art that I’ve ever created and although imperfect, I have loved them well with everything in me. They are the coolest humans as well and truly advocate for human rights! Amidst all of the working, studying, using my kiddos as my pretend classrooms, having them all at least try the arts until they found their own niche, and late nights home they were always my “why”. I wanted them to know that it was never too late for their gifts to make room for them. I wanted them to know that if mommy overcame abuse as a child, abuse as a wife, betrayal, loss, debt, utilities cut off, homelessness, evictions, abandonment and still managed to land where we are today, that with mommy, my village, their villages, and God that there was literally nothing that they can’t do and that I would be their biggest fans in whichever capacity I can. I am literally still working on adding new titles such as “Travel Agent” to my badge in order to take trips with them as adults that I could not offer them as they grew up.
Because of them, it’s hard to say I should have learned faster. To change any decision would mean not having them and I would do it all again for the privilege of being their mommy. Would I have been like Beyonce if I’d waited and done music first? I used to tell my kiddos yes! However, they knew that I would choose them first every single day, every single time! Gosh!!! I’m so overwhelmed by the gift of being their mom. I also wonder, would I have known how to handle the opportunities that I received. My younger naive self would have been in even worse relationships, compromising music opportunities for the adoration and romanticized fairytale of marrying a musician lol! Or I could have been looking for validation from fans rather than knowing how to have that in myself, lest Covid would have been very hard. I won the “Pops on the River” concert in Little Rock Arkansas in 2015 and sang the National Anthem with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra! Each year, I’d tried out for that competition. It required for you to upload a video of you singing, getting voters, and then singing in front of the audience if you made the top 10 and finally being voted as the winner to sing with the Orchestra on the evening of the FireWorks! I was separated,, my baby boy was with his paternal granny for that week of Summer, and after years of fighting traffic for a good spot to see the fireworks with my blended family, here I was this year, the 1st place Winner, VIP, and so sad because music was saving my life and making me keep breathing, but my heart was so sad that my family was broken. I felt like God reminded me of the gift He gave me and that He showed me where I was going and that that didn’t mean that everyone gets to go with me. However, that I was in my rightful place and that I was to embrace this and sit up straight and receive the favor that He had blessed me with. Opportunities came to sing with top musicians in Arkansas, work as background vocals, with Michael David Wyatt David Ashley and lead a group of students as a chorus master for the professional Opera company in Little Rock called Opera in the Rock’s production of La Boheme, gain voice students, sing as a featured lead vocalist, release a couple of singles, serve as the Vice Chair of an Opera Board and sell out Fundraiser Events and concerts, Direct choirs who opened for Gospel Artist Vashawn Mitchell, lead choirs in Arkansas and Texas to Superior competition ratings, connect students with scholarship and performance opportunities, and the list continues. The biggest challenge was believing whether or not I could do it. It felt like a privilege to listen to a recital that was required for my degree when I knew my marriage was falling apart, I was choosing to let my gas get turned off so that I could afford a gym membership and trainer that kept me alive by helping me to learn to put my fitness and health on my schedule by reminding me that although I didn’t think I had time to squeeze in fitness, that I actually didn’t have time NOT to, because if I didn’t I would not be here for my children. Finances, societal beliefs of my schedule being too busy, perceptions from people that I shouldn’t perform for Jazz in the Park because I was a worship leader and a mom rather than realizing, I could do that when my children visited their dad, fatigue, cultural expectations for what my size should be and what the color of my skin should be, and partnering with people who said they would support me, but had no idea what that meant and therefore became very intimidated by the process and freedom and confidence that I seemed to gain as my world expanded. It was a tough lesson in learning that you truly can outgrow places and people. It was hard to accept that standards, goals, and success sometimes comes with loneliness at the top. I never envy people who have more fame than I. If I think of some of my favorites including Donny Hathaway and Whitney Houston, the Carpenters, and Eartha Kitt, I have to say “Only God knew how bright they needed the light to shine to simply make it out of the darkness that they were surrounded by.” I’m thankful for mine and therefore, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it Shine.” This helps me to overcome the dreaded Imposter Syndrome.
The most essential technical skills that have helped me are learning the science of the voice. A wonderful Professor from Julliard assisted me with this. He taught me exercises that I still use, gave me an opportunity to complete a Master Class with the world-renowned voice teacher Stephen Smith, and taught me that sometimes people won’t like coffee no matter how much cream or sugar you add. Therefore, show up in every room and deliver the best that I have and know that that is where I measure my success. My other voice teacher would tell me that what I have on the day of the performance is what I was meant to have. My pedagogy professors taught me to listen to all voices, human voices that need an opportunity to tell a story. Another professor reminded me that we choose some students because they are skilled and prepared, and we choose other students who have talent, and we know that they need this opportunity to save their lives. I learned how to teach blend and how to find where my voice serves best as a soloist and as a choir member. I learned to hydrate properly, exercise my voice, be patient with the process when learning new music skills, and to always remain kind. People will always remember how you made them feel. Although these skills are technical and emotional, I believe they are all essential. Yes, I learned to sight read, and know my scales, and circle of fifths, and breathing exercises, and how the vocal cords actually work, and the IPA of German, French, Italian, and etc. Yet, my favorite lesson always came when a teacher or professor connected what I already knew with what they were teaching me. In high school this was my choir teacher having me to sing a hymn from church and then to revisit a musical piece from West Side story and she wanted me to connect the inspiration to the formal sheet music. Another level was added to that lesson when one of my college professors told me to take Mozart to church!
The sweetest moments are moments now that they ask me to help a friend who just needs a momma to love them because their parents are struggling with their LGBTQ+ statuses, or have a friend who would like for me to listen to them sing, or remember sitting in a green room and feeling like VIP, or our one on one Panera Bread trips. My daughter used to ask me, “Mom can you audition for something in New York so that I can visit New York?” How awesome to think that she she’s mommy as able to simply apply for a job in any city and land one! Well guess what?! She was right! I may not have been on a world tour, but I have learned to adjust my view of success as one who simply changes the environment of every room I enter. I hope to leave everyone I encounter knowing a little bit more about what love feels like. I hope to leave everyone I encounter thinking, someone saw me and believed in me! Music seems to be the gift that has brought me out of darkness, and helped a shy girl find her voice, a traumatized young lady finds her music therapy, and a grown woman find her place in Carnagie Hall! Each city that I have lived in, I can say that I have had the opportunity to sing as a paid professional musician and for that I am grateful! Who knows what this next half of my life will look like? One thing I know for sure is that music will be the avenue to help me reach others and open doors for those who needed someone to pause and look back and say “ I got you. You got this.”
I can name names of the professors and mentors and give them all of their flowers if needed! Besides Carnagie Hall on June 15th, I sing on the Praise Team at Concord Church in Dallas as well as their choir, I sing with two bands soul , rnb, and Jazz bands. I find open mics at the Balcony Jazz Club and write music as it comes to me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
LaSheena is a versatile Soprano vocalist based in Red Oak, TX, who balances her role as a Customer Success Coordinator at Paycor with her passion for live performance. With a background as a choir director at Reed Middle School in Duncanville ISD, she holds a BA of Art and an MA in Secondary Education with a focus on Voice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Classically trained, LaSheena believes in using music to foster human connections and empower her students to excel in their communities.
Beyond teaching, LaSheena, also known as Ms. G or Mama G to her students, is a professional singer who recently performed in productions such as “Auntie Explains Christmas” at Jubilee Theater and “An African American Requiem” and “AIDA” with the Fort Worth Opera company. Additionally, she leads worship at Concord Church in Dallas, TX.
Inspired by her four children, whom she lovingly refers to as her “saving graces,” LaSheena is dedicated to using her passion for performance to inspire others. As an educator at heart, she believes in the power of performance-based learning and aims to promote diversity in the community by providing opportunities for students to showcase their musical talents in various settings. Through her work, LaSheena strives to empower individuals to evolve from singers to skilled musicians and make a meaningful impact in the world of music.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
This is found in my initial answer. Hoping you can find one there, but if you need more, I am happy to provide more.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is connecting with other humans through my art. Music is a tool that connects me to so many places and people and it makes the world smaller and smaller. As an educator and as a performer, my favorite part is when I see the light bulb come on. Something I said on stage or sang, or simply my appearance serves a representation to them that they can do it too! I love it when I hear stories of “Because I saw you, I…..”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasheenavreed/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lasheena.reedformerlygordon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lasheena-gordon-447384175
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaSheenaReed-Gordon
Image Credits
Joshua Asante
Ebony Blevins