#michaeldevellis

[justincaseitmatters]

#michaeljackson #michaeldevellis #BatteryTour #firstfriday

[iamgabrisan]

LARENN SOLÈY LEVE: HAITI IN A CLASSICAL MOOD by Georges Vilson & Michael Devellis (2016) Genre: Classical: Orchestral https://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/georgesvilsonna *Album Notes "Georges "Moumous" Vilson, teacher, musician, author, archivist of traditional Haitian folk and Vodou music, and Michael DeVellis, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator present, "Haiti in a Classical Mood", an arrangement of traditional Haitian music and sacred hymns of Vodou set in classical form. All songs were chosen from Vilson's first book, KANDELAB 101: Notated Haitian Folk and Vodou Songs Volume 1 - a series which contains popular Haitian folk and Vodou songs transcribed in conventional music notation. Every song carries a narrative, history and a distinct vernacular of spirituality only found in #Haiti. Upon completion of his first book, Vilson sought to bring these treasured melodies into a different setting. He enlisted his friend and colleague Michael DeVellis to compose works for full orchestra incorporating these well known Haitian melodies. Using Vilson’s transcriptions found in Kandelab 101 and the stories that Vilson told about each melody, DeVellis set out to bring it to the #orchestral realm. The resulting pieces are a fusion of #Haitian lullabies, #folk and Vodou music with #Classical and #Jazz influences. Many of the pieces incorporate more than one melody. Vilson carefully selected melodies that would work well together while DeVellis strived to intertwine them." https://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/georgesvilsonna --------------------------------- *CD Review by Buyu Ambroise "I have just heard this new release produced by my friend George Vilson (also known as Moumous). It's a gem. Excellent orchestration. Great production! It contains many Haitian classics: Larenn Solèy Leve; Kawolin Akawo; Minis Azaka; Bon Tan, Move Tan, se Mwen; Sou Lanmè; Fèy O, and many more. Music lovers, this CD should be part of your audio library collection." #HAÏTI☆#LEGENDS #georgesvilson #michaeldevellis #newmusic #classical #orchrestral #traditional #cultural

[mma-troy]

Meet the man himself, Michael DeVellis! Special Guest of the second installment of the MMA Livestream Series. Join us July 22nd at 7:00pm for insight into the many avenues this entrepreneur has blazed trails through. https://www.facebook.com/events/1153916217964827

Join Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldevellis

[thepowdergroup]

Earlier this year, I watched a great special on CNN called The Person Who Changed My Life. During the program a number of anchors from the network introduced us to the person who they attributed to shifting their lives in a direction that led to where, and who, they are today.

This got me to thinking about my own journey and asking myself the question: Who was the person who changed my life? The answer wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

I thought about Pearl and Otto Staehle who gave me my first job at their cafe on the day I turned 16 giving me a level of responsibility that made me learn how to step up to the plate, although, at that young age, I didn’t even know what, or where, the plate was yet.

There was Nancy Staib, who was the first boss I had that truly made me feel like a leader and who inadvertently gave me my push into the world of makeup when she didn’t take a job managing a MAC Cosmetics store. And there was Mary Renaud who took a chance on someone with a lot of confidence, but no makeup experience, and offered me that job that Nancy turned down.

There was Frank Toskan, one of the founders of MAC who drove me deep into world of the pro makeup artistry when he asked me to lead a project refocusing the brand’s attention on the pro customer — a project that became the development of MAC Pro. It was then that I fell in love with our community and I never looked back.

The list goes on and includes, of course, my husband Brad, my family and too many colleagues, clients and friends along the way to list. The truth is, that as I tried to think about who was the person that changed my life the most came to realize that there was not one person who I could name. I realized that there were so many people along my journey that truly had a major impact on my life and whose influence pushed me in directions that I would likely not have gone in without them being there to guide me.

Throughout my career I have tried to be that person for others as well. I have worked hard to be someone who helps artists and businesses find thier path and I hope that along the way I have been even a fraction of the guide that those who I have mentioned were to me.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how self-aware we are of the way we influence others, and how the decisions we make effect those around us, we may never truly realize the power of our actions and words until someday, if we are lucky, someone says to us… Thank you for changing my life.

Michael DeVellis Founder/Executive Director, The Powder Group Editor, On Makeup Magazine

[inthenewyorkgroove]

What am inspirational day and night with the brilliant #danysanz creator of @makeupforeverofficial and artist extraordinaire ... I was so honored to be asked to judge the @makeupforeverus @makeupforeveracademy graduation once again and meet the next generation of talent carrying on Dany's legacy. #makeupforeverofficial #makeupforeverpro #makeupforeveracademy #JamesVincentMakeup #MichaelDevellis #ThePowderGroup #wearethepowdergroup #inthenewyorkgroove (at Crosby Street Hotel)

[thepowdergroup]

A Few Questions With Michael DeVellis

Michael DeVellis -  Founder/Executive Director of The Powder Group & Editor/Creative Director of On Makeup Magazine | www.thepowdergroup.com | www.onmakeupmagazine

What inspires you right now? One of the most inspiring things for me right now is to see the amount of education happening throughout our industry. Twelve years ago when I launched The Powder Group there were very few education options to help new or experienced makeup artists advance their technique or business. Today there are more events happening in a market like New York, Dallas or Chicago in any given month, than there were in a year across the entire country when we launched TPG in 2003. Of course this also means that artists need to look more carefully at who they are looking to for leadership and education. There are as many really bad choices out there as there are really good ones. Don’t be fooled by social media hype or unwarranted self-congratulation. Look at the actual experience of an educator, what they have done lately, who their clients are, have they taught before. Ask yourself, do I want a career and a skill-set like this artist has? Those are the educators you want to look to for your own development.

What has influenced you the most in your career? There are so many things and so many people. But I would not be here without my time as an executive with MAC Cosmetics. This was the beginning of my career in the beauty industry, and the time I spent there with so many incredible people, had a huge influence on the way I think about business and our industry to this day. Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, the founders of MAC, created a business that was first-and-foremost about people – not just making revenue. People loved the brand and its culture from both sides of the counter – staff and customers. The company broke rules; talking about HIV/AIDS, giving away condoms at the stores, acknowledging the broadest customer base of any brand with their All Ages, All Sexes, All Races credo, and of course with Ru Paul and the Viva Glam campaign. The company taught me about generosity, taking risks, sticking to what you believe in, and not settling for less than what you know is right for your business.

Can you tell me about a defining moment in your career that made you realize that this was exactly what you were supposed to be doing? Honestly, these come all the time. Each time someone tells me that something we do at The Powder Group has affected their career, their craft, their passion for makeup artistry. One time in particular that has stuck in my mind for many years, was when we produced The Artist Summit in Miami in 2009. Toward the end of the last day of the Summit an artist came up to me and thanked me for having the event. She then told me, with tear-filled eyes, how she had moved to Miami almost a year ago due to her husband’s job transfer, leaving behind a very successful makeup artist business. She told me that she was having a hard time in the market and had all but given up on her work, and had resigned herself to taking a job in another industry. But then she said that attending The Artist Summit, and connecting with so many amazing artists and businesses gave her a renewed hope and drive. She is still working in the Miami market today and is hugely successful. Sometimes it just takes one moment like that to remind me of why I do what I do.

What are you most excited about right now? Our incredible partnerships throughout the industry. I am so proud of how many brands, business and educators are becoming part of The Powder Group family. We have been so fortunate that our industry has responded in such a positive way to our philosophies and culture. It truly makes me joyful to be able to connect our pro makeup artist and hairstylist audience to these partners and vice-versa. We are absolutely stronger in numbers and I am honored to have so much positive growth in our community through these relationships.

How has the industry itself changed since the early days of The Powder Group? The pro makeup arena is more packed then ever before with artists of every skill level. It’s sort of mind blowing. There are so many amazing schools today turning out great early-stage artists. And there is a great interest in the career from other influences as well. I’m grateful that social media, along with broadcast and print media, have provided a new audience for the craft of makeup artistry. When you look at events like Monsterpalooza and Dragcon, competitions like Face Off and Skin Wars – even Ru Paul’s Drag Race – they have created a great level of interest among non-pros in makeup as an art form, and makeup artistry as a career, that is unprecedented. Around the world makeup artistry is now seen as a real, and sustainable, career choice. This has certainly not always been the case, and is great for our industry on so many levels.

How can a makeup artist in the industry today stand out and make their mark in such a crowded and competitive marketplace? Standing out in such a competitive market means that it’s more important than ever to up your game from an artistic, business and community standpoint. It’s simply not enough to be a great artist. You need to immerse yourself in your career, be as visible as possible on every level to your colleagues, mentors, industry leaders and potential clients. You need to use every tool in your arsenal – from social media and strong relationships to impeccable branding and marketing – in order to create the biggest impact and get noticed. Making your mark today has to be as big a part of your job as doing great makeup.

What’s next? From a work standpoint, the answer is, of course, The Artist Summit 2015. This is truly the project that I think I am most proud of on so many levels. There is truly nothing like being surrounded by 200 of the most committed and focused makeup and beauty industry pros in the most spectacular place on the planet, Provincetown, MA!  The roster for our 2015 program is mind-blowing. From top photographers, creative directors and salon owners to the biggest makeup artists, hair stylists and brand owners in our industry – this is our biggest selection of rock-stars from our industry that we have ever put together. There is nothing like it – anywhere. And the relationships and community that come out of this event are those that skyrocket careers like no other. What’s next for me on the personal side of things is getting fit! I have definitely lost my way on the wellness and healthy living path and I am determined to make that a big focus in my life again – starting right now.

See Michael DeVellis as part of an intense three day inspirational and educational program for the professional Makeup and Beauty community - The Artist Summit. October 4-7th, 2015. www.theartistsummit.com

[thepowdergroup]

When I think about the things that make me love our industry, there are many words that come to mind. But the one that stands out the most is passion. I have never in my life been a part of a community so filled with this feeling; so filled with joy for a career or a craft...or anything. The oft-repeated quote by Confucius tells us that if we choose a job we love, we will never have to work a day in our lives. I love this statement and believe in it to my core. This statement is truly about passion. Still, being passionate about your work is just the first step -- albeit an important and critical one -- to succeeding at it. Loving what we do everyday might make the journey more enjoyable, but the path is still strewn with challenges, hard work, failures among the successes, and sometimes even others who build barriers to your progress. But those who are filled with passion and true joy for their careers do not let obstacles get in the way of their development. They see each turn in the road as another growth opportunity -- another chance to change up the game. We all know people in our lives who have been faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, but who face each day with a smile and an unstoppable drive. These are the ones who keep moving when the road is rocky -- who don’t look back to see if retracing their steps is an easier option than moving forward. When I wake up everyday I am excited -- even anxious -- to get my day started. To jump onto my email. To make a new plan and get it going. To partner with, develop and elevate our community. Each morning I am truly excited to think about what’s next on the agenda. What can I do today that will make something magical happen for someone? This is the spirit that I have come to expect from myself, and my career. It’s spirit that I didn’t have at every point in my life, but that is here now, and my development depends upon it. It’s not always easy. In fact it seldom is. But everyday, I think to myself that I am the luckiest person in the world to be able to do what I do. It is my good fortune that I have the opportunity to work with so many other lucky people as we all move forward in our respective journeys to help others find -- and to find and develop our own -- joy, thrill, happiness and passion. Michael DeVellis Editor, On Makeup Magazine