MEET THE TEAM
MR. FRAENDY CLERVAUD
HOST
BIO
Fraendy Clervaud is a broadcast journalist, social media influencer and children's author. He’s a morning news anchor in South Carolina and the author of his children’s book entitled Stuttering Stephen. The book based on his life as a young boy who stuttered, chronicles the life of Stephen and his journey to finding his voice. Fraendy is a graduate of the University of Florida. He lives by this scripture: “It is the Lord who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”
EBONY " THE BABY JUMPER " DIXON /
COACH
BIO
Ebony Dixon is an ex Army brat and even though she moved around most of her life, she has been in Columbia SC since 1991 so she considers herself to be a native. She was also a cosmetologist for 19 plus years. Hair care was definitely a passion for her but in the past 15 years she has discovered a passion for poetry. Although it was never a part of her life's plan, she feels it is a part of GOD's plan for her life.
Over the years she has been invited to many different venues including schools, weddings, churches, the Black Expo event (held annually in Columbia SC) and many more to share the words that GOD has given her to uplift and encourage people everywhere. Performing poetry has created opportunities for her to do radio commercials, jingles for radio shows, a radio drama for USC and co-hosting the "Single and Saved" segment of “The Jamal Bates Show" on WFMV 95.3 out of Columbia SC for two years along with hosting an Open Mic at “KiKi’s Chicken and Waffles.” She also hosted a radio podcast called "The Free Thinkers Radio Show" that discusses diverse topics and "Stop The Silence Radio Show" that focuses on writers at www.freethinkersradio.com, iTunes, Google Play and iHeart Radio. She has been a part of a quarterly show called “Fabulous Friday.” For information on that visit www.CleanNight.com. For two years she taught a bible study for young ladies at Columbia College and on top of all of that, many doors have been opened for her to grace the stages with artist such as, Lucinda Moore, DeWayne Woods, Doc McKenzie, Canton Jones, Kierra Sheard, Da Truth and Tye Tribbett.
She has recently embarked upon playing the part the narrator of “Farmer Suzy” as part of the “Irly Bird Reading Stem Book Series,” where they travel to different parts of the world teaching the children S.T.E.M through a live show. All of these avenues have also allowed her to have the opportunity to co-write scripts for a few short films.
She absolutely considers her poetry to be a ministry.
She is inspired by her faith, life, the people that surround her and definitely her fellow poets. Poetry has opened the doors for her to expand her talents as a host, voice over talent, Speaker, script/songwriter, Narrator and first time author.
And with everything she has her hands upon, her prayer is that at least one person thinks about GOD when her assignments are complete.
DESTINEE GREGORY
COACH
BIO
Mrs. Destinee Gregory is the Director of Orchestras at Longleaf Middle School in Columbia, South Carolina. Mrs. Gregory began playing violin at 9 years old and quickly realized her passion for music. Later, she learned to play the viola, cello, and double bass through grade school and her undergrad. She received a Bachelors of Music Education from Converse College in her hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she was also a member of the Converse Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the Longleaf Middle School staff, Mrs. Gregory began teaching at Spartanburg School District 5. She is active in the National Association for Music Educators and the South Carolina Music Educators Association and continues the pursuit to artistry of the violin as a current member of the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra.
KRISTIN CLAIBORNE
COACH
BIO
Kristin Claiborne, a Valparaiso, Indiana native, is in her ninth year as choral director & assistant boys basketball coach at Blythewood High School. She also serves as the secondary choral lead teacher for Richland School District Two. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education, a master’s degree in educational administration, & she is currently a doctoral candidate for an education degree in teacher leadership. At Blythewood, Ms. Claiborne directs four choirs & the acaBengals, a pop/jazz a cappella group. As a performer, Ms. Claiborne is a member of Limited Time Only, a semi-professional, Columbia-based chamber choir. Recently, she performed as a featured soloist at Lincoln Center in New York City. Locally, she has portrayed “Deena Jones” in Trustus Theatre’s production of Dreamgirls. Ms. Claiborne spends time teaching choral workshops overseas & serving as a supervising teacher for preservice education majors. Ms. Claiborne is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association Southern Region (committee) & a proud member of both Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated & the A Cappella Education Association.