Community Storytelling at the Muse: Transcendence

JoFoKe is a multi-genre singer and songwriter. A Denver native, she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Music: Technical Voice from Fisk University, a historically Black college in Music City USA: Nashville, TN. Throughout her career, JoFoKe (pron: Joh-Foh-Kee) has shared her vocals by way of stage and studio with Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Lyle Lovett, Bebe Winans, Daniel Weatherspoon, Aaron Neville, Marvin Sapp, Dianne Reeves, When performing, JoFoKe uses her platform to advocate for suicide prevention and to #RemoveTheStigma attached to mental illness. A mental illness battler and suicide attempt survivor herself, she proclaims that, every time she lifts her voice, she is singing for her life! Her debut single, “Count” has become an anthem for audience members. As a result, she and her sister, Stacie Alexander founded the ‘Count Joy Network’. CJN works to raise awareness about mental health issues and connect and expand access to treatment primarily in the Black community. JoFoKe and her network are committed to connecting each fighter to the resources they need to live, love, fight & count joy FOR THEIR LIVES.

Ellen Laverdure is an artist and musician working to find that spark of joy inherent in all things, and sharing what she finds with others. “I love creating experiences with art and music that engage my authentic self and touch that same deep place in others.” She will perform with Ray Nunez and show her artwork

Molly McCrosson’s work catalogs technical exploration. Her abstract work is influenced by the German Expressionists, Surrealists, and Color Theorists. Her surreal work is related to storytelling and is related to the characters and plots that enter her imagination. Because her influences are broad the viewer is asked to consider the complexities of what they are looking at. She also uses art to process and understand the human condition. Her community work includes shows and programs in collaboration with other artists, to engage public thought and participation. This sense of community informs her artistic vision. Context and content are interactive in her art, and in her life.

Clare Church is a fixture on the Front Range Jazz scene, having played with everyone from Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie and Nancy Wilson to the Temptations and the Four Tops. She will present three original songs from her album, “You’re More.”

All three women will share spoken word about “Transcendence.”