Thursday, March 28, 2024

Music under her skin

A Las Vegas doctor pursues dreams of singing stardom.

BY KIMBERLY BAILEY-TUREAUD

Linda Woodson

Las Vegas is the world’s entertainment capital, with top-notch performers from all over the globe regularly converging on the city to entertain crowds of thousands. That sometimes obscures the fact that many talented local residents are embarking on their own journeys to stardom.

One of them is Linda Woodson, a successful local dermatologist who has always longed to pursue a singing career. “I have been singing since I was a child, and have always had an interest in and love for singing, she said. “I am the fourth of six children, and my parents would say that singing was not a career and they encouraged me to go into medicine. Now that my children are older, I am pursuing my passion. My new jazz CD is called ‘Daisies and Butterflies.’ I wrote the music and the lyrics. It has taken a while, but it was a labor of love. It’s all me and my thoughts that I have had; the poems that I have written I put music to them. I am so fortunate to have met some wonderful and creative people that helped me put the CD together. I am still looking for that opportunity to work with some well-known artists.”

For other professionals who want to pursue their dreams, Woodson, who holds degrees from MIT and USC, offers this counsel: “My advice to others who would like to pursue their life’s passion is to start on a small scale. For me, my passion would never die. I couldn’t bury it. Singing is something I didn’t want to wait to do, and have the regret that I never pursued it. If it is something you really want to do, you make time and start small. It might mean you are up some days early or up late at night to fit your schedule in. My days are generally long.”

As a young girl, Woodson sang in the choir and performed musical theatre to keep her dreams alive. Recently, she performed live at the Smith Center for Nathan Adelson’s Hospice Serenade to Life concert series, and sings with local jazz group, Jazzmin, with a sound similar to Manhattan Transfer.

“I love community theater and I love being on stage,” she said. “The combination of acting and singing and the whole art form is so stimulating. I am always looking for opportunities —because it is in my blood.

Woodson’s new CD, ‘Daisies and Butterflies’ is available on iTunes and CD Baby. More information on Linda Woodson can be obtained through email at woodsonmusic@aol.com or by visiting www.lindawoodson.com.

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