Rev. Yolanda

It is my great pleasure to announce that Rev. Chanda Rule will be my next guest on my video podcast "Sounds of Awakening", Easter Sunday April 9, 8pm online- hosted by Awakening-Together.org . You can join us live here www.Yolanda.net/awakening 

This is going to be a joyous deep dive into the spiritual side of my dear friend Rev. Chanda Rule!!

Chanda Rule 
"Her powerful voice is characterized by superb diction...heartfelt intonation...and often aching beauty." 
- All About Jazz 
With feet rooted in gospel, a heart filled with soul, and a voice touched with jazz, singer and songwriter 
Chanda Rule has been weaving stories through song, humming melodies, and bending words since 
her childhood. After graduating from Howard University, she took a flight to New York with dreams of 
using her freshly-earned journalism degree on Madison Avenue. Daunted by rush hour and cubicles, 
she turned to music for solace and soon after began her professional career in musical theater, 
appearing in a variety of productions, from New Jersey’s Hudson Shakespeare Company and regional 
tours, to "Hair, The Musical" in Amsterdam and Milan. 
Her “bewitching voice,”as described by the Baltic Times, has a flexibility and range that has graced a 
variety of musical projects: from "Sapphire Dreams" recorded with the legendary pianist Kirk Lightsey, 
"Feeling Good: A Tribute to Nina Simone" where she was featured with sax powerhouse Donny 
McCaslin, and gospel fests and workshops with the Golden Gospel Singers, to appearing as a 
featured vocalist on ARTE Concert, Ö1 Jazznacht, and ORF's Dancing Stars. Featured in Cicily Janus' 
"The New Face of Jazz" (Billboard Books) and most recently on the cover of Austria’s jazz magazine, 
Concerto, Chanda has also performed as an opening act for India.Arie, Kamasi Washington, Amel 
Larrieux, Angela Bofill, Regina Belle & The Whispers. 
Hold On, a mix of soulfully arranged American work songs, blues and gospel favorites was labeled 
“compelling and distinctive” by London Jazz News and “a fun ride of creative jazz” by The Jazz Word. 
Blues Blast Magazine wrote: “Expressive vocals, cool arrangements and beautiful musicianship make 
this an extraordinary album….She [Chanda Rule] and her band are the real deal!” 
A creative 2022 promises a new year full of new music. With her upcoming music endeavors, Chanda 
steps fully into original music composition – showcasing compelling lyrics that speak the heart’s 
language. Debuting in 2023: On Time – Chanda Rule & Sweet Emma Band; Revival, featuring 
Chanda Rule & Mickylee; and River, a sacred concert series commissioned by Montview Boulevard 
Presbyterian Church, where she wove poetry with liturgy creating an inspired work that was 
orchestrated by bassist and composer Ike Sturm. 
Also a published writer, podcast host and storyteller who uses narrative and music for community 
building and communal healing, Chanda is the bestselling author of “How Butterfly Got Her Beautiful 
Wings and can be heard biweekly on her podcast, The Courageous Voice.

I will also be sharing some of my newest music from my upcoming cd "YolandaNanda 2". SUNDAY 8pm EST- join here: www.Yolanda.net/awakening

Rev. Yolanda is a trans femme gender queer singer songwriter actor and Interfaith Music Minister AND a very grateful member of the member Board of Trustees for Awakening-Together. Rev. Yolanda has been making music/theater/TV/film/performance art for well over 35 years, winning the NYC MAC Award twice and inducted into both the NY Blues Hall of Fame and The GLBT Hall of Fame.
One of Rev. Yolanda's greatest joys is being an active member of Awakening-Together's assembly of equals. The personal learning/healing that has occurred in her from the sharing that takes place in this community, is a gift that she is forever grateful for