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/

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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

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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!

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

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Welcomes New Families for 2025-26

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is excited to welcome new families to begin their performing arts journeys at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin, MA for the 2025-26 School Year.  

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance, and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities. FSPA believes that an education in the performing arts, whether or not pursued for a professional career, provides young people with lasting life skills. 

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Welcomes New Families for 2025-26

Students of the arts develop personal attributes including focus, discipline, self-esteem, and an understanding of teamwork. Superior communication and social skills become strengths of students who pursue music, dance, and drama. Conservatory and career bound students, as well as those who attend classes for fun, gain a sense of accomplishment and the confidence they need to succeed in all endeavors. 

The FSPA School of Music features an impressive faculty of Boston area professionals. Student musicians are trained through private lessons, group classes, ensembles, and recital opportunities. A student can begin as a toddler in Little Music School and graduate with Senior Recital Honors, or simply enjoy lessons for fun. FSPA’s Voice Program is committed to nurturing three pillars of vocal success: confidence, technique, and musicality. Voice students develop healthy technique, gain critical knowledge to strengthen musicality, and build stylistic skills within a varied repertoire of vocal genres.

The program fosters a lifelong love of using one's voice and builds the professional singers, choirs, and audiences of tomorrow. The FSPA School of Music offers private lessons in all instruments. Opportunities for instrumental study abound at FSPA, with studio instruction available on piano, drums, bass, guitar, ukulele, woodwinds, strings, and brass for children and adults. Collaborative small ensemble coaching, theory, chamber music, and ear training classes round out the extensive music program. Unique to FSPA, Little Music School teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano, engaging them from the earliest age in the joys of music-making and exploration of the arts.  

At the FSPA School of Dance, students dance for the art, not the trophy. FSPA believes in fostering a love for dance through artistic expression and breathtaking performances without the burden of expensive, time-consuming competitions, offering a community where creativity thrives, performances shine, and the joy of dancing takes center stage. Classes for all ages and levels are offered in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern/Contemporary, Dance for Musical Theater, and Commercial Pro Dance. The School of Dance faculty focuses on what truly matters: students’ growth as dancers and artists. With fewer travel expenses and no pressure to compete, dancers flourish in a positive, supportive environment.  

The FSPA School of Drama offers a rare opportunity to pursue Musical Theater at the highest level. With professional training in the three schools of Music, Dance, and Drama as well as extraordinary performance opportunities, FSPA’s Musical Theater program instills a lifelong love of Musical Theater, while carrying those who choose to pursue it professionally to Broadway and beyond. From the basic elements of pantomime and role playing, to character development and scene study, Acting students are introduced to the fun and work involved in theater. The FSPA School of Drama strives to build great artists while teaching students to work together and think creatively. 

Interested students and families are invited to stop by 38 Main Street to tour the facility, speak with faculty, and learn more about all FSPA has to offer. Additionally, families may call 508-528-8668 to speak with FSPA’s staff or email reception@FSPAonline.com. 

FSPA is excited to launch a new and improved FSPAonline.com in September.  

Free Fun For Kids: Your Support Matters - Lowell Summer Music Series

Presented by Lowell Festival Foundation SHOWS FREE FUN FOR KIDS SPONSOR MERCH view in browser   MAKE A DONATION FOR KIDS It's our Week of Giving—and we're asking for your help. This week, we're raising funds to support the FREE summer programs we provide for kids and families in Lowell. Help us keep our "Free Fun For Kids" shows accessible to the families who need it most. Free Fun For Kids is one of the most meaningful things we do—offering free live shows, healthy snacks, books, crafts, and trolley rides every week in July and August at Boarding House Park. While the shows are free for the children who attend, they aren't free for us to produce. With rising costs and shrinking community resources, this program has never been more important—or more dependent on community support. DONATE NOW CLICK FOR THE FREE FUN FOR KIDS SCHEDULE FREE FUN FOR KIDS SPONSORED BY   © 2025 Lowell Summer Music Series Write us: 57 Bedford Street, Suite 115, Lexington, MA 02420

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Stephen Sherlock

Community Information Director (volunteer) for Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio

https://linktr.ee/franklinmatters

Kris Russell and I talk about the 15th Anniversary of The Drummers Studio (audio)

FM #1461 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1461 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the 15th Anniversary of The Drummers Studio. I talk with Kris Russell, owner, operator, and drummer extraordinaire. We recorded this conversation in the “Honeycomb Hive” or “Chemistry Lab” on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. 

We cover the following in our conversation

• Kris’ journey to Franklin

• Creation of The Drummers Studio

• Educational approach

• 15th Anniversary celebration June 21 at Bellingham High

• Kris gives us about a 2 minute musical sample, the drum track to David Bowie's Let’s Dance song.

The recording runs about 53 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1461-15th-anniversary-of-the-drummers-studio-05-2825/

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The Drummers Studio -> https://thedrummersstudio.com/ 

Info on the 15th Anniversary celebration at Bellingham High on June 21

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/the-drummers-studio-15th-anniversary.html

Kris plays the drum part of David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, about 2 minutes worth …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbD_kBJc_gI 

Links to some of the items mentioned during our conversation 

• 

  The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration - June 21

  The California based drum corp -> https://muiralumnidrumcorp.org/  (Note: link may not work in all browsers, must be some host based security setting at issue)

• Recent guest to the Studio -> https://www.carlitomendoza.com/ 

• The eclectic drum kits referenced -> https://www.roland.com/us/categories/drums_percussion/v-drums_kits/ 

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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"