I’ve had several lives since coming to France: grad student, singer songwriter, writer and filmmaker, marriage and mothering.
It all started with improbable French and Russian lessons at age four that propelled me from my rural DC suburb to a double language major at Rutgers University with summer study at Saint Petersburg University, Russia and the Bryn Mawr Institute in Avignon, France. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and arrived in Paris with a Fulbright for a photographic essay and research on Russian author Alexey Remizov, earning Licence degrees in French, Russian and Comparative Literature, then an MA in Russian Language and Civilization at Paris IV la Sorbonne.
Jamming with friends turned into a career recording for major labels, performing on TV, radio and stages at top European venues, touring extensively and starring in the first music video shot on Red Square. My music partners and I founded La Belle Équipe sound and production company, still in business.
When my first child was born, I chose to work more from home and that academic skill set served me: writing and adapting screenplays, subtitles, soundtracks, fashion trend articles, lyrics and music for TV, cinema and stage, producing my own album releases, videos, and photography shows. Starting in 2016, my interviews with visionary humanitarian and climate activists were featured in The Antidote, an online journal for global voices, published by Wendy Rohm. I blog at Thank You Paris and Medium.com.
2019: “Margaritas at Midnight” with a London band, directed the accompanying video, screened at UK and Paris film festivals.
2021: Second short film “Brooklyn” honored at 20 international festivals with several awards, including Best Narrative Short, Best Editor and Best Music Video.
Current focus: a memoir about searching for peace with Russia. Also in pre-production on an environmental documentary about my uncle Charles Terrell, self-made conservationist and philanthropist.
Home life: was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 10 years, organizing events, activities and communication seminars for Paris overseas council. Our troop earned numerous distinctions including Gold Awards for exemplary community service. Recognized with Outstanding Leader and Outstanding Volunteer accolades, I continue mentoring youngsters through BSA, Transatlantic Council. My son attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 2021 and just had his Eagle COH.
Having studied psychology and trained in education, I’ve coached people of all ages in bringing their dreams to life.
Details, links and visuals @ https://thankyouparis.wordpress.com
