We recently had the chance to connect with Ysanne Marshall and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Ysanne, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I have a tug between energy and integrity, but I would have to say integrity is most important to me. Integrity usually consists of positive morals with a focus of non-harm to others. So, for me it’s a ripple effect on one’s energy to have a type of energetic intelligence that interacts with the world on a certain frequency. Intelligence of energy can sometimes lead to studies of common and uncommon education practices that can be measured with tests.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ysanne Marshall, on stage “Ysanne”. I am a jazz, soul vocalist and after graduating with a BA in Art & Entertainment Management: Communication I created Ysanne Music. With some grant funding and supportive resources, I was able to understand how I can build a business with my skillsets while also helping the community. July of 2022, I finished my 200-hr RYT yoga certifications and I have been actively offering weekly yoga classes at the YWCA, art galleries, museums, in schools, businesses, and private events.
As an entrepreneur having a clear vision is important. Ysanne Music’s mission, as well as my personal belief, is to make sure people, specifically people of color, have access to the arts and yoga practices. Ysanne Music services include Live Performance, Creative Workshops, Artist Advocacy, Grant Writing, Stage Rental & Yoga.
Currently maintaining relationships with businesses and organizations with yearly and seasonal contracts as they build and grow. I am always looking to expand my network to offer and receive services that align with my mission.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work. The physical work of labor, the work of raising a family, and work of emotional support.
My mom a social worker in the school system and my father an autobody technician, both in their fields for as long as I can remember. At the same time being fully present in my brothers and I extracurricular activities. Thankful for the seeds and roots that I was raised in. It fertilized a foundation for “what to do” when I don’t know what to do.
The foundation they taught me in a sum is to pray and continuing to move. As I reflect, I would say that I have started to become more aware of the breath in between the two foundations. The awareness of breath in prayer and in movement.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No. That’s not to say the journey isn’t hard. For me my journey of overcoming my chronic back pain is something that can get frustrating especially when you are using all of your physical strength and nothing physically seems to be happening, or reports show that there hasn’t been much progression.
I grew up as an athlete so not being able to bounce back in a quick timeframe is frustrating. Don’t get me wrong I make progression, but I want better results. However, taking the time to say “I showed up for me” gives me grace that the physical strength I want is around the corner. I just have to keep showing up.
If I give up on me, I won’t be able to fulfill my highest purpose.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Freedom of speech. The freedom to speak facts, my truth and my testimony. So many have fought or have been silenced, so many stories lost or never told.
Providing students (K-12th grade) with artistic tools of how to cope with day-to-day emotions and life shifts have empowered them. Seeing their confidence rise after a semester has made a difference in giving them a way to voice or share their thoughts.
So, hands down freedom of speech would be a cultural value I would protect at all costs.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing what I am born to do. As I trust the gifts given to me, I am shown that I can heal the community and support myself financially. On my journey of healing, I am able to unlock my own potential. Healing my mind, my body, my spirit, and my finances. Ultimately, allowing me to be a testimony of healing.
On the physical plane, I am here to use my actual voice to sing and change someone’s mood or help heal/move something in them. With that connection there have been multitudes of ripple effects that have led me to study yoga and curiosity to understand the vibrations and frequency in everything. The study of keeping an environment or person to stay balanced in a holistic way is my purpose. I do this through live performances, offering creative workshops to explore the arts, and offering yoga practices to release tensions of the mind and body.
I believe if we can start healing within ourselves, in a sense, we can heal the world. Michael Jackson said it, rather sung it, best in “Man in the Mirror”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://YsanneMusic.com
- Instagram: @ysanne21
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ysannemusic
Image Credits
Jordan Polon
WISE Network photography team
Quincy Osborn
Ysanne Music photography team
Fruit Guice Media
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
