How does one with a degree in neuroscience get a Grammy nomination? Listen to Kymberlee tell her story (audio)

FM #1495 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1495 in the series. 

Kymberlee O’Brien

This session shares my conversation with Kymberlee O’Brien, MEd, PhD on Monday, August 11, 2025. Kymberlee may be recognizable from her presentations on brains, or her drum circles, both activities at the Franklin Senior Center grant funded by the Franklin Cultural Council. She has also performed as a jazz singer locally including most recently at the Franklin Farmers Market.

With such a varied background, I felt that we would have a good and wide ranging conversation, and I think you’ll agree we did.

Did you also know that she is a Grammy nominated composer?

Listen in to our conversation (approx. 38 minutes)

Audio link ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1495-kimberlee-obrien-08-11-25/

--------------

William James Faculty page -> https://www.williamjames.edu/about/profiles/faculty/kymberlee-obrien.html 

Neuralight Consulting -> https://www.neuralightconsulting.com/ 

Music link -> https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/kymberlee-obrien/

PR -> https://www.artistpr.com/press-release/grammy-recognized-artist-kymberlee-obrien-blends-jazz-latin-and-pop-in-new-anthem-of-resilience/ 

Her Grammy nominated single -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKSGrDgK8Fo 

Items mentioned during our discussion

• Alive Inside -> https://www.aliveinside.us/#land

• Greater Good at UC Berkeley ->  https://www.aliveinside.us/#land

• TEDx at William James -> https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/60382

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio

Tuesday

SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday

FHS Spring Jazz 2025 Concert (video)

The FHS Spring Jazz concert conducted Wednesday, May 1, 2025 is available for replay via Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEiVmAuOawk

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, February 23, 2025

Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm.

wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, February 23, 2025

It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Time/Day	Sunday
7:00 AM	Jazz Journey 1 - Hines
8:00 AM	Jazz Journey 2 - Hines
9:00 AM	Music
10:00 AM	Tabernacle Choir
11:00 AM	Music 2 Lift Spirit - Falvey
12:00 Noon	Jazz Journey 1 - Hines
1:00 PM	Jazz Journey 2 - Hines
2:00 PM	Music 2 Lift Spirit - Falvey
3:00 PM	Blues - Derick/Remissong
4:00 PM	Blues - Derick/Remissong
5:00 PM	Jazz
6:00 PM	Jazz
7:00 PM	Jazz
8:00 PM	Turntable - Vibe/PaulyG
9:00 PM	Turntable - Vibe/PaulyG
10:00 PM	Music

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

FHS Winter Jazz Concert - Jan 29, 2025 (video)

The Franklin High School Winter Jazz Concert was held on Wednesday in the FHS auditorium. It was broadcast by Franklin TV to YouTube where the video is available of the performance.

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LspNkCC6e0M

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 ???

Wednesday, January 29

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 
• Last days to buy Music Booster calendar raffle for February

1:00pm Scribblers Writing Group (recording session) (Franklin TV Studio)

7:00pm FHS Jazz Concert (Franklin High School)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting

January 29, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

--------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Band School Concert & Middle School Winter Jazz Concerts available for Replay (video)

** The Band School of Franklin concert was live streamed and recorded for replay via YouTube by Franklin TV on Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025

Video replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meZE9LgYfZo

** The Middle School Winter Jazz concert was live streamed and recorded for replay via YouTube by Franklin TV on Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025

Video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9oMPyfGxzU

Key events for Thursday, April 25, 2024

A Dream Shared - an art exhibit & talk back 

When:  April 25, 2024 from 4 to 6 PM

Where: Franklin Historical Museum

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/a-dream-shared-art-exhibit-talk-back-on.html

Should be a good event with art and conversation about art, a great way for me to begin my evening of reporting

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Meeting 

April 25 at 5 PM

Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/fps-comprehensive-facilities-planning.html

What is this latest redistricting effort going to bring forward? This may be the preview for the subcommittee before the School Committee gets to see it. Kinda a sneak peak! We should at least find out find out where they are in the process.

Franklin, MA: School Committee Special Meeting 

April 25, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-special.html

Yes, a special committee meeting to interview the next school business administrator. Folks should recall that Miriam Goodman retired last year. Dr Bob Dutch has stepped in for this year. The meeting will help determine the next individual to fill this critical role.

BT/ALC Big Band at Franklin High School (free concert)

WHEN: Thursday, April 25 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

WHERE: Franklin High School Auditorium

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/franklin-public-schools-to-host-btalc.html

Funded by the Franklin Cultural Council and MASS Cultural Council, a great way to close the day with some big band and jazz sounds

Key events for Thursday, April 25, 2024

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

BT ALC Big Band to perform with FHS Jazz Band - April 25

Mark your calendar! 

The BT ALC Big Band is scheduled to perform with the FHS Jazz Band on Thursday, April 25 at 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C5CmjMxumhw/

BT ALC Big Band to perform with FHS Jazz Band - April 25

Franklin High School Jazz Band Competes in Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education Finals

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Principal Joshua Hanna and Assistant Principal Michael Walsh are excited to share that Franklin High School's jazz band competed in the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education (MAJE) finals at Norwood High School on Saturday, March 16. 

Franklin High School's Jazz Band of 30 students played three songs; Tito Puente's "Ran Kan Kan," Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," and "Better Get Hit in Your Soul." The band played alongside 19 other bands from Massachusetts and performed for a panel of college professors and professional performing jazz artists for medal awards. They received a Superior Gold Medal for their performance and will advance to the Gold Medal Showcase on May 5 at the Hatch Memorial Shell at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston.

Prior to the state final, the Franklin High School Jazz Band performed in the Central District Festival at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough on March 6.  The group won a Superior Gold Medal and was one of three bands to advance to the finals.

"The band has had an incredible run in this concert series, and the Franklin School District couldn't be more proud," Superintendent Lucas Giguere said. "Their success is a testament to their work ethic and passion for music. I thank Band Director Leighanne Rudsit for her devotion to ensuring these students can share such achievements."

From left to right: Franklin High School Jazz Band members Weylan O'Connell, Aidan Padula, and Anton Sackley at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro.   (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Franklin High School Jazz Band students at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Franklin High School Jazz Band students at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

FHS Winter Jazz Concert January 29, 2024

Franklin High School is pleased to invite you to our annual Winter Jazz Concert. 

Come hear our very own award winning FHS Jazz Bands and Jazz Combos under the direction of Leighanne J. Rudsit & Matthew Geisinger.  Music will include swing, bebop, ballads and funk.  

Some big band titles will include “Birk’s Works” and “Ran Kan Kan”, music by Charles Mingus, Myles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Horace Silver.  Featured soloists include John Kane IV on Saxophone, Aidan Padula and Anton Sackley on Drums, Thomas Bradley on Trombone, Brady Devlin on Trumpet, Maria Zaki on Flute, and Weylan O’Connell on Bass.  

The event will take place at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 29 in the Franklin High School auditorium.  A $5 donation is requested at the door, but is not required.  

   

FHS Winter Jazz Concert January 29, 2024

27 FHS Music Students performed with the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus and Orchestra

Twenty seven members of the Franklin High School music program auditioned and were accepted into the 2024 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. The performance took place on January 13th at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.

27 FHS Music Students performed with the  Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus and Orchestra

Participating in the Central District Band were

• Gavin Abdel-Aziz - Trombone
• Emma Anderson-French Horn
• Jake Blanchard - French Horn
• Karah Bradanese - Clarinet
• Peter Bryan - Trumpet
• Daniel Campbell - Trumpet
• Lauren Curtis - Trombone
• Alexander Fioravanti - Euphonium
• Francis Fracassa - French Horn
• Liam Geoghegan - Tenor Saxophone
• John Kane IV - Baritone Saxophone
• Lola Richardson - Flute
• Isabelle Simino - Trombone
• Gabriel Terry - Trombone
• Maria Zaki - Flute
• Katharina Zercie - Bass Trombone

Franklin High School students performing with the Central District Jazz Band were

• Adithya Balagurumoorthy - Baritone Saxophone
• Thomas Bradley - Trombone
• Emelia Chambers - Trumpet
• Brady Devlin - Trumpet
• Weylan O’Connell - Bass
• Aidan Padula and Anton Sackley - Drum Set

Selected to perform with the Central District Orchestra is

• Victoria Courtright-Lim - Violin
• Emily Liu - Violin
• Adam Peng - Cello
• Zo Pietras - Violin