When I think back to my high school days, I chuckle over the fact that it truly was unlike any high school experience I ever fantasized about. Think back to the movie “High School Musical” (which was my generation’s version of “Fame”), at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts we were dancing in the hallways, singing in the middle of math class, always in ‘performance mode,’ ready at a moment’s notice to hear “ACTION!”
Before I share more of those details, let me rewind back to the beginning. Some of my earliest childhood memories were centered around music in some way, shape, or form. If you had the chance to ever watch my family’s home videos, you’d see my dad as my biggest fan, recording all of my performances on his chunky camcorder. A particular performance that comes to mind, is when I performed (with light choreography) the nursery song “Bluebird, bluebird, on my shoulder,” in my favorite royal blue corduroy overalls. I also remember one of my primary dance recitals, when I wore a pink sparkly costume that had pink feathers to add pizazz. During my performance, I waved at my father in the audience, and had the audacity to break character to blow kisses into the audience (after what was obviously a flawless performance, LOL)!
My mother who is a music educator and musician herself, equally supported my musical being. Because of my parents, music is just in my DNA. Music has always filled our household—thus, it was truly a bonding factor in the relationships I’ve developed with both my parents.
My parents really invested in exposing me to the arts, with special attention to Black arts. They educated me on our cultural history, and the musical influences that Black people have made past and present in every major genre of music that exists today.
Without ever being pushed, my parents always supported any creative outlet I had, whether it was dance, piano lessons, voice lessons, guitar lessons, or musical theater. By the time high school came around, my musical pursuits somewhat halted because I was more focused on playing sports. Fortunately for me, during freshman year, word was traveling that a new performing arts charter high school was opening the following year, and that auditions to get into the school were quickly approaching. Without too much convincing of our parents, my two best friends and I prepared our audition materials, and off we went!
I sang “Hero” by Mariah Carey, who I heavily adored at the time (and still do). Sophomore year came, and I was among the first group of kids to attend the grand opening of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, located in Bethlehem, Pa.
People always ask me what it was like to attend a performing arts charter high school, and when I reflect back, I am so grateful for the amazing resources, opportunities, and experiences that only a child at a performing arts school could have. I’ve never envisioned doing anything else besides music, and I was constantly in an environment that supported that vision. I was in a touring choir that traveled internationally to perform! I was exposed to summer music programs through my guidance counselor’s office and ended up with a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. I had teachers that really cared to invest in me with the musical knowledge they held. This was also due to the fact that my school was pretty small, and my teachers had the time to give me the attention that I needed. Being one of the first group of students to attend this new school, there was a lot to learn. It was a creative environment that promoted a sense of freedom of expression, and the fact that half of my day was dedicated to music… I could not ask for more!
Now, as an adult, I make it a point to get myself back into schools of all kinds, and public spaces like after-school programs, community centers, and public libraries. I created a program called Black History: A Celebration Through Music, which tells the history of America through music. I wanted to find a way to empower our youth, with special attention to our youth of color, in a way is always translatable — through the universal language of music. This program is so powerful, and I have been privileged to have had it performed in public schools around Brooklyn, where I currently reside. This program also has me working with the Brooklyn Public Library, and summer programs around the Northeast region. My goal is to have this performed in a tour of charter and arts schools, as well as universities all over the country! Working with kids is a passion of mine, and it’s so important to invest in the youth, just as I was invested in!
In my professional singing career, I’ve had the privilege of working with many successful artists, such as Sam Smith, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and India Arie, just to name a few. Working with Sam specifically, whom I’ve worked with the longest (contracted to both of his world-tours), has inspired me to step into my artistry, by becoming more authentic and transparent in a way that a lot of artists aren’t. I’m grateful for the amazing opportunities I’ve had, and the privilege of traveling around the world, multiple times. I’d make a bet to say I most likely wouldn’t be in this position today, had I not had my parents’ foundation of music, and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School to prep me for this lifestyle.
I’m currently working on my first ever solo music project, an EP, and it’s been a long time coming, but I finally feel ready! All my experiences thus far have prepared me for this moment, and this new venture is another avenue of music I hope to explore and succeed in without fear. Through my experiences and everything I’ve learned along the way, something tells me I’ll be just fine.
Kris Brooks was originally born in Philadelphia, but spent her formative years in a variety of different areas across the country—including Chicago, Houston, Greenville, Miss., and Bethlehem, Pa. Following her graduation from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Kris attended the prestigious and world renowned Berklee College of Music, where she earned dual degrees in Music Business and Songwriting. In addition to her many music ventures, Kris has a personal website and blog called The Kris Bliss. Kris calls herself The Music Lifestylist ™️, living her life through her ventures as a singer-songwriter, artist, and educator. Her aim is to share her bliss, experiences, and education, to create a community focused on celebrating creative women of color. The ultimate goals of her platform are to inspire, heal, and build her presence to be organically booked based on the lifestyle in music that she organically promotes. You can contact Kris at www.thekrisbliss.com.
