THE “RECONSTRUCTED” LIFE OF NINA SIMONE Taking Theories and Explaining Them through Case Studies of High Achievers Presentation by Kayla Pinder, GSU Teacher Candidate ULM Academic Summit 2013

Project Steps : Read autobiography of an achiever 1. identify major life problems or challenges 2. identify success factors which helped overcome problems 3. re-construct achiever’s life 4.reflect on personal lessons learned I chose to study the life of NINA SIMONE The case study in this presentation is an example of the reconstructing lives project designed to involve teacher candidates in an innovative application of human development theories.

Born Eunice Waymon-Febuary 21, 1933 – Tryon, North Carolina Simone received 2 honorary degrees in music and humanities, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Malcolm X College. Musicians who have cited Simone as important for their own musical success include Van Morrison, Bono, Cat Stevens, Peter Gabriel, Lauryn Hill and Jeff Buckley. Some Musicians who have covered her work include Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, John Lennon, Jeff Buckley and Jennifer Hudson. Nina Simone

Challenges/Obstacles Poverty Racism Skin Complexion

Poverty Racism Financial Support: After hearing Eunice play, Mrs. Miller (Nina’s mother Boss) offered to pay for private piano lessons for one year. Teacher/Mentor: If Eunice showed promise Mrs. Miller would find a way to allow Eunice to continue her education. Eunice began studying under the local piano teacher, Miz Mazzy. Musical Training: After her high school graduation she received a scholarship to Juilliard for one year. She planned to use her year at Juilliard to prepare for the scholarship exam at the Curtis Institute. Shortly after the exams Eunice was informed that she had been rejected because the Curtis Institute was not going to accept a black woman when they could accept a white one instead. Her musical talent moved her forward. Success Factors

Skin Complexion As a child Nina was told that her nose was too big and her complexion was too dark. She used her music as an outlet to express her feelings and to help others be proud of their African-Heritage. Nina Simone was a voice for her people and she spoke out honestly, sang to us from her soul, shared her joy, pain, anger and intelligence poetically in a style all her own. Success Factors

The Reconstruction; What If? What if her mothers boss did not pay for the piano lesson? What if her community did not support her? What if she didn’t have the support of her mother and other family members? What if she didn’t have music as an outlet?

Civil Rights Activist

(1964–1974) Musical talent as a source of inspiration. In the 1960s, Nina Simone was part of the civil rights movement and later the black power movement. Her songs are considered by some as anthems of those movements, and their evolution shows the growing hopelessness that American racial problems would be solved. Other Nina Simone songs adopted by the civil rights movement as anthems included "Backlash Blues,“ "Four Women" and "To Be Young, Gifted and Black”. With the growing women's movement, "Four Women" and her cover of Sinatra's "My Way" became feminist anthems as well. Civil Rights Movement

Nina Simone Project “The Eunice Waymon- Nina Simone Memorial Project exists to honor the remarkable life, musical legacy and civil rights activism of Nina Simone, and to inspire and support talented youth to reach their full potential.” Nina’s Monument is located in Tryon, North Carolina

Musical Achievements Little Girl Blue Bethlehem 1958 Nina Simone And Her Friends Bethlehem 1960 The Amazing Nina Simone Colpix 1959 Forbidden Fruit Colpix 1960 Nina's Choice Colpix 1963 Broadway-Blues-Ballads Philips 1964 I Put a Spell on You Philips 1965 Pastel Blues Philips 1966 Nina Simone with Strings Colpix 1966 Wild Is The Wind Philips 1966 High Priestess of Soul Philips 1967

Musical Achievements Nina Simone Sings the Blues RCA 1967 Silk & Soul RCA 1967 Nina Simone and Piano RCA 1969 To Love Somebody RCA 1969 Here Comes the Sun RCA 1971 Baltimore CTI 1978 Fodder On My Wings Carrère 1982 A Single Woman Elektra

Reflections Having a great work ethic. Pursuing ones passion. Self worth; accepting your flaws and knowing that you are just as important as anyone else. Self-esteem; whether you come from a poor background or a wealthy background, have the confidence that you can be whatever you dream. The importance of critical periods in childhood. Helping my future students value themselves.