Supporter Spotlight – Dennise M. Kowalczyk

As one of My Voice Music’s first speakers on the My Voice Music 2011 Student Compilation, Today is a New Day, Dennise has cemented her place in MVM history!   She and KZME have gone above and beyond in their support of MVM over the past year: sponsoring our events and compilation album, and even playing our entire Student Compilation CD, beginning to end, on air.

Recently our youth were given the opportunity to visit the KZME studios, play their music and share the story of their songs over the airwaves.  They also recorded this great “station ID” – take a listen.   Thank you Dennise, for playing such a significant role in supporting My Voice Music and helping to spread the news!

1.) What do you do when you’re not helping promote MVM?

I’m the Director of Organizational Advancement at KZME Radio

2.) How’d you hear about MVM and how are you involved?

My employer, KZME radio, has served as a media sponsor for one of their fundraising events and we were a broadcast partner and contributor for the compilation CD they put out last year.

3.) Why did you decide to support My Voice Music?

We heard about MVM through another associate and we were just blown away by the work Ian and others are doing with kids, using music as a vehicle to express themselves and build confidence. Since KZME is all about broadcasting local music, we thought it was a no brainer to help bring more awareness to what MVM is doing.

4.) What was your first concert and favorite song there or by that artist?

My first concert was – don’t laugh; okay, go ahead and laugh! – The Osmonds! I was ten years old and wore a red, white and blue halter dress to the show.

5.) Do you play music yourself? If so, what instrument/s? If not, what would you most like to play?

I don’t play. Yet. Just last week I had an idea to create a trio called The Hankettes to do Hank Williams cover songs. All I need is a fiddle player and someone to sing lead vocals. If anyone is interested, drop me a line!

6.) Do you have an inspirational song that helps you get through a hard day?

I have about a hundred of them (smile). Depending on what is happening in my life, I connect with a song I might hear on KZME that somehow captures my mood as it relates to that circumstance. Last fall, I was totally captured by Sink or Swim by John Craig & The Weekend because the lyrics of the song felt like they were written just for me. I was in a new relationship that was full of such potential but eventually failed. Every time I now hear that song, I have bittersweet memories of lost love.

7.) If you could only take one album to an island, what would it be?

The self-titled CD by the Ravishers. I love every single song on that CD and I also have a huge crush on the band (smile).

8.) Shout out (website, facebook, Twitter):

Facebook: kzmeradio.pdx

Twitter: @kzme

9.) Why do you think people should get involved with MVM?

I’ve seen some of the kids play music that they learned through the program and they were just beaming. Ian is an incredible, compassionate artist who exudes so much passion for his work at MVM – just imagine if we all possessed a tenth of that dedication – what a world we would live in, eh?

10.) Anything else you’d like to add?

As a proud sponsor, we just had MVM at KZME today to help promote the Benefit Concert that’s coming up on Saturday night.  We had four kids in the studio with Ian, talking about MVM and the songs that they wrote. We also had Josh & Mer, one of the four great local bands lined up to play. We hope to see you all there!