Photography by Roy Cox
Vashti Gray Burgess
~ Mother, Educator, Musician, Actress, and Model ~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Copa: Where are you from?
Vashti: I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but only lived there for a split second before my family relocated to very rural southern Maryland. I lived there until I was twenty-one years old, which was wonderful because I was able to have a very safe, idyllic childhood. Even though the area has developed considerably since then, whenever I drive down to that area I immediately feel this sense of calm and peace. The tempo of living is slower, and that sense of urgency with which we often live our lives (or at least I do) is so diminished there.
Vashti: I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but only lived there for a split second before my family relocated to very rural southern Maryland. I lived there until I was twenty-one years old, which was wonderful because I was able to have a very safe, idyllic childhood. Even though the area has developed considerably since then, whenever I drive down to that area I immediately feel this sense of calm and peace. The tempo of living is slower, and that sense of urgency with which we often live our lives (or at least I do) is so diminished there.
Photography by Roy Cox
Copa: Which schools have you attended?
Vashti: My first school was The Calverton School in Huntingtown, Maryland, and my eleven-year-old son is currently a student there as well, which is a fun "full circle" kind of experience. I also attended Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons, Maryland, and graduated from St. Mary's Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland. I went on to attend St. Mary's College of Maryland for my undergraduate degrees, and completed my graduate studies at the University of Maryland in College Park. Call me a nerd, but I've always loved school and that feeling of coming home each day with a slightly deeper understanding of the world in which we live.
Vashti: My first school was The Calverton School in Huntingtown, Maryland, and my eleven-year-old son is currently a student there as well, which is a fun "full circle" kind of experience. I also attended Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons, Maryland, and graduated from St. Mary's Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland. I went on to attend St. Mary's College of Maryland for my undergraduate degrees, and completed my graduate studies at the University of Maryland in College Park. Call me a nerd, but I've always loved school and that feeling of coming home each day with a slightly deeper understanding of the world in which we live.
Copa: We see that you are an Educator, when did that passion begin?
Vashti: Again, I've always loved school, and as a child I even used to arrange my dolls into orderly little rows and teach them lessons from my books. But I didn't go directly into education. When I finished graduate school, I worked for an academic research company for some time but became bored with "preaching to the converted," so to speak. I've always worked with music education in some capacity or another; starting in high school, I taught private piano classes to younger students. A friend of mine had pursued alternative teacher certification, and suggested that I might be successful in the program. Something intuitively told me that this was my next step. So I went through the program twelve years ago, and have remained in the classroom ever since. I'm currently working toward my administrative certification so that I can impact arts education on a deeper level; I've seen the power that the arts can have in the lives of children, and I want to make absolutely sure that those opportunities are preserved for all students.
Vashti: Again, I've always loved school, and as a child I even used to arrange my dolls into orderly little rows and teach them lessons from my books. But I didn't go directly into education. When I finished graduate school, I worked for an academic research company for some time but became bored with "preaching to the converted," so to speak. I've always worked with music education in some capacity or another; starting in high school, I taught private piano classes to younger students. A friend of mine had pursued alternative teacher certification, and suggested that I might be successful in the program. Something intuitively told me that this was my next step. So I went through the program twelve years ago, and have remained in the classroom ever since. I'm currently working toward my administrative certification so that I can impact arts education on a deeper level; I've seen the power that the arts can have in the lives of children, and I want to make absolutely sure that those opportunities are preserved for all students.
|
Copa: What areas of acting interest you most and why?
Vashti: I love all types of acting, of course, and the restrictions of the pandemic have really allowed me to stretch my creative muscles and explore projects in new media formats, but my first love will always be the stage. There is something so exhilarating about the presence of a live audience, and the lack of a "safety net," so to speak. If something goes awry, there's no retakes or do-overs; you simply have to find a way to make it work, and that is electrifying. Copa: At what time did you develop your interest in acting and what were some interesting roles you have portrayed?
Vashti: I've always enjoyed the creative arts, and theater has been a part of my life in some capacity since I can remember. I've always enjoyed the opportunity to share stories of importance with the world, and to help others to view their lives and the world around them in a deeper, more significant way. I've always selected my roles carefully to ensure that they are part of a story that can do just that, and I've been blessed to have the opportunity to portray so many interesting roles. Some of my favorites have been the role of Karen in the film "Going Home," who quietly endured a lifetime of abuse at the hands of her father only to become his caretaker, and the role of Rosa in the play "Getting My Piece of the Pie," a secretary who is continuously belittled by her supervisor but conspires with a new hire to help undermine her empire. These were two extremely different characterizations and projects, but were similar stories in that both roles were women who were silenced and oppressed but who ultimately reclaimed their true, authentic power. |
|
|
Copa: We also understand you have a love for music as well, please tell us all about it.
Vashti: When I was very small, someone randomly gave my parents a grand piano. No one in our household was remotely musical, but they thought it looked nice in our living room so there it remained. For whatever reason, I was mesmerized by that piano. I would pull myself up to stand and reach for the keys. Soon, I was able to play back melodies that I would hear on the radio, and I would sing along. By the time I was four, my parents realized that this was a true gift and found me a piano teacher. I simply never stopped. Throughout my life, whenever I was excited or stressed or angry, I've always gone to the piano and worked through it with my music. It's like an extension of me. That same grand piano sits in my living room now, and I still play it each and every day. |
Copa: Modeling appears to be another one of your passions. What have been some of your most memorable experiences?
Vashti: One of my favorite experiences was when I modeled for a motorcycle advertisement. I am not at all the motorcycle type (although my husband was in his younger years), so it was fun to dress the part and be someone else for the day
Vashti: One of my favorite experiences was when I modeled for a motorcycle advertisement. I am not at all the motorcycle type (although my husband was in his younger years), so it was fun to dress the part and be someone else for the day
Copa: Who are your 3 favorite models of all time and why?
Vashti: I would have to say Grace Jones, Dovima, and Alek Wek. All three of these models challenge the traditional conventions of modeling, and turn their work into a true art beyond simply showcasing fashion.
Vashti: I would have to say Grace Jones, Dovima, and Alek Wek. All three of these models challenge the traditional conventions of modeling, and turn their work into a true art beyond simply showcasing fashion.
Grace Jones
|
Dovima
|
Alek Wek
|
Copa: What does the future hold for Vashti Gray Burgess and her many activities?
Vashti: I will always continue to work for the empowerment of people, especially young people, through the arts. I believe that is my true purpose in life, and I consider myself truly blessed to be given so many opportunities to do so.
Vashti: I will always continue to work for the empowerment of people, especially young people, through the arts. I believe that is my true purpose in life, and I consider myself truly blessed to be given so many opportunities to do so.
