Grit & Grace: Roxana Frizzi

“The piano has been a central part of my life for as long as I can remember. In my childhood universe, it was the miraculous, incredibly fascinating, intimidating, and magnetic object that most of my earliest and clearest memories revolve around.

Growing up in Romania, my parents and teachers always expected me to do my best. When I was around 12 years old, my teacher was preparing me for some international competitions in Italy. I remember my mom telling me, “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. But if you choose to do it, we will support you 100%, and ask that you too commit to it 100%.” To become and stay a good musician, besides love for music, one needs discipline, time management, analytical thinking and self criticism, problem solving skills, to perform under pressure, set and achieve short and long term goals, and so much more. It’s a wondrous and captivating lifelong journey.

I started out convinced that I wanted to be a touring artist, moved across the world to follow my dream, toured for a while, and then I realized I didn’t need to be in a gigantic, renowned music hall somewhere far away to make beautiful music. I can experience those precious moments in my living room, a house concert, a small local venue, or a retirement home. I fell in love with teaching and felt the need to nurture. Then I fell in love with my husband and strongly wanted a settled life. I am now a new mom to baby Zoe. I have loved this whole process of change. Music is all around me, always. I hope to instill a love of music in my students, because I know that if I do, it will enrich their lives forever.”

Roxana Frizzi is a concert pianist and piano teacher, based in Hamilton and Boston Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.roxanafrizzipiano.com.

Grit & Grace: Tachou Dubuisson Brown

“I am a woman with an independent soul that drives my being.  Being born a middle child, it has always been my destiny to pave my own way through this life. Somewhere deep inside me I have always had this yearning to be and do great things for others.

After six years of being dissatisfied climbing the corporate ladder and sitting behind a computer, I decided I needed a change. At 5’10” and a size 2 (at the time), I had often been asked if I was a model or if I played for the WNBA.  My one season basketball career from high school did not qualify me for WNBA tryouts, so I decided to look into modeling instead. I took a personal day off from the office and walked into several modeling agencies in Boston. I had no experience. Every agency turned me down, except for the last door.  She said yes, and the rest, as they say, is history. Eighteen years later, my modeling career is still going strong! My modeling career is what helped me cultivate my personal independence. Becoming a model meant I was now in more control of my life and finances.

I was born to Haitian parents who legally came to the United States to further their education.  My father moved our family to Beverly where he became very active in politics. My parents started the first organized soccer league in Beverly.  After my parents divorced when I was eight, my education was strictly enforced by my mother. She kept us in Beverly to ensure I stayed on track with my grades.  My mother has taught me so much, including the value of hard work. Being a young single mom, raising my two siblings and me, she worked two jobs to make ends meet. She made sure we understood that we each had the responsibility to provide for each other.  Of the many lessons she (and my grandmother) taught me one stands out the most: there isn’t anything in this world that I need that I can’t provide for myself.

When I became a mother of two boys, I fell into the common dilemma most moms run into.  “I want to take care of my babies but I have a lot of career left in me!” In October of 2018, the opportunity arose to own a yoga studio in my hometown. Given my positive upbringing, being able to give back to my community in this way has been a dream come true. I firmly believe that introducing yoga to children at a young age is crucial, as it teaches body awareness and mindfulness which produces healthier behaviors into adulthood. Purchasing The Village Oasis has given me the opportunity to do this with my children by my side.  Parker, age seven, and Logan, age five, love practicing with me. Parker uses his breathing techniques when his brother “gets him worked up.” I’ll take that over aggression any day!

I understand that each and every one of us has a purpose in our lifetime. My passion in life is to spread joy and help others achieve genuine inner happiness.”

Tachou Dubuisson Brown is the owner of The Village Oasis in Beverly, MA, a yoga instructor, a professional model, and a mom. The Village Oasis class schedule can be found on https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/launch

Grit & Grace: Katherine Hooper

“My original goal in life was to be the Artistic Director and Choreographer for a dance company only; however I quickly learned a few years into founding the dance company, that it was not realistic to make a sustainable living. I decided opening a dance studio was the best way to facilitate my passion for bringing dance to the community and continue to offer the professional dance company a space to thrive. I founded the BoSoma Dance Company in Boston in 2003, and then in 2010 opened the Mass Motion Dance North studio educating children ages 3-18 of the art of dance. In 2017, I moved the studio to Hamilton and changed the name to BoSoma School of Dance.

Dance is the movement of the soul; we all have a rhythm within us, it’s just how we let it out. Helping others pull the movement out, nurturing students and my professional dancers to rise to a place of excellence through the technique and art of dance makes my heart sing. Guiding children to find their voice and confidence through movement individually and within a supportive group gives my work value, as does seeing my dance work come to life on stage.

The driving force in my professional career is keeping dance alive in our culture and communities. I am fiercely passionate about not letting the art of dance die. Inspiring youth to appreciate dance and learn the art of it, whether they continue to dance in their future or become a supporter of the art so that they go see dance performances motivates me. The warm reception that BoSoma School of Dance has received since moving to Hamilton and BoSoma Dance Company has received for our performances at the Larcom Theatre in Beverly has inspired me to believe that there is a need and desire to keep dance alive here on the North Shore!”

Katherine Hooper is the Artistic Director of BoSoma Dance Company and Owner of BoSoma School of Dance in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Grit & Grace: Sergeant Karen Wallace

From as far back as I can remember I have always been interested in law enforcement! I earned my black belt in karate and became an instructor, which increased my interest in becoming an officer as it gave me great confidence. I enjoy sharing those skills with women during several RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) classes. I have been a full time police officer for about 30 years. I started as an Auxilary Officer at the Wenham Police Department. I was promoted to the position as a part time officer (Reserve) around 1984, and then became the first female officer in Wenham’s history when I became full time in 1986. Later, in 1988, I transferred to the Hamilton Police Department. I have always enjoyed hearing from people I was able to help in the past, and to know I had a positive impact. It was always such an eye opening experience to hear from a person whose life was turned up side down from a tragedy and then to learn that they are doing well. It made me realize that as human beings we all go through difficult times. It’s part of life, but it also made me realize that with time, things do in fact get better.

When I first became an officer, a lot of people said to me, “They’re not going to accept you.” However, I didn’t feel isolated from my co-workers at all. At first, there was some hesitancy from the public when they saw a young, female officer approach them. I have experienced everything from being dragged 100 feet on the side of a car by an irate motorist, to receiving puzzled looks from motor vehicle operators who were speeding and didn’t know what to say other than, “You’re a woman??”, to even having kind residents offering to do my job for me.

In the 1980’s it was rare to have a female officer on staff. At one point in my career, I had the pleasure of assisting a local agency by working several undercover assignments. These jobs included drug buy operations and decoy assignments. While I did several drug buys, the case I remember most was of a serial rapist in the area of Salem Community College. I acted as a decoy for the department on several occasions, in an attempt to catch the attacker. On one occasion, the suspect did follow me, but didn’t attack. Though it was intense, I wasn’t afraid, as I knew the other officers had my back. In the end, the suspect was arrested, tried, and sentenced to life in prison.

My role as a mother is one that brings great challenges and lots of joy! I have two wonderful daughters. I hope that I was a positive role model for my girls and good provider for them, as well as a role model for women looking to enter the law enforcement field.

What should I wear? My top five tips this season

A few years ago, our own family gifted my parents with an extended family photo session for their 50th wedding anniversary. As a mom figuring out what my family should wear, I started to feel the stress that my clients feel when they ask themselves “What should I wear?”

#1 Choose a color palette of 3 colors

Choose colors that complement each other. When choosing neutral colors, be sure to add one complementary color to add a little “pop”. If you are having a hard time choosing a colors, choose ONE patterned piece- this could be a shirt or a scarf, etc. Pull the colors for all other pieces from this pattern. You may want to consider where you plan to display the photo in your home; what colors will complement your home design?

What colors should you choose? This is really up to you. For fall, I love jewel tones:

Jewel Tones Color Palette - color-hex.com.png
A great example of choosing colors from one pattern.

A great example of choosing colors from one pattern.

#2: Consider the background, and the weather

Consider what colors and clothing will complement the setting for your photos. For example, if you’re headed to a Christmas Tree Farm, choosing lots of green may not be the best idea. Think about complementing colors, instead of blending in. Dress for the weather! Everyone will look more natural if you’re warm and comfortable.

The maroon helps contrast against the green of the Christmas trees. I love the layering on mom with the sweater and scarf.

The maroon helps contrast against the green of the Christmas trees. I love the layering on mom with the sweater and scarf.

#3 Embrace individuality

Instead of forcing kiddos to conform, embrace their individual flair! Less stress, and the kids will be happier. How does this work?

One of my clients built their family outfits around their son’s favorite outfit. They knew he would be more comfortable in active wear, and just went with it!

One of my clients built their family outfits around their son’s favorite outfit. They knew he would be more comfortable in active wear, and just went with it!

#4 Play with textures

Textures add some visual interest to your photos. Examples include tweed, denim, and wool. Fall is a perfect season to play with textures!

Mom and baby’s sweaters add some texture to this shot.

Mom and baby’s sweaters add some texture to this shot.

#5 Footwear

After all this planning, don’t forget the footwear! Shoes don’t have to be fancy or expensive, but do consider how your footwear complements your outfit.

I love the purple and grey combination, the layering, and also the footwear!

I love the purple and grey combination, the layering, and also the footwear!

Top 5 things to avoid

  1. Multiple patterns

  2. Solid black and solid white tops

  3. Too many colors

  4. Shirts with lots of graphics, logos, or writing

  5. Lots of classic red (unless a Christmas shoot)

Overall, you don’t have to spend loads of money on your family outfits. I’ve had families get super creative by working with what they already have, bargain shopping, or even borrowing a piece or two from a friend!

Grit & Grace: Jessica Spong

"I didn’t set out to be a single parent, but it’s where life brought me, so I’ve had to rise to the occasion. It can be very hard, but it’s rewarding. I get to tuck my kids in every night and say I love you; this is the biggest blessing in my life. While I have an incredible support system filled with family, friends, and coworkers, I am the one constant in my children’s lives. It can be overwhelming but also amazing. My goal is to teach my children compassion for others, always helping those that are weaker or in need. I want to instill in them
the same values that my parents instilled in me – love for others and love for God.

Professionally, I support families whose children are having some type of mental health crisis. Much of the time this is the hardest thing that these families have been through... watching your child struggle with this type of challenge can be heartbreaking. Having a loved one that has struggled with mental illness makes me uniquely qualified to support the families I work with. I find that sometimes parents just want to hear that they are doing right by their children, that they are doing a good job being a parent. I’m able to give them hope and nothing is better than that.

I have learned that no matter your circumstance, socioeconomic status, family structure, education level, or what your own upbringing was like – there is so much guilt that comes along with being a parent. We all judge ourselves for our shortcomings and have a difficult time seeing our strengths and what we are doing right. No matter how short the time I spend with the families I work with, it is an honor to be a part of their journey."

Jessica is a Family Partner at Lahey Health Behavioral Services.

 

 

Grit & Grace: Anjali Chitre

"I am the daughter of immigrants from India who came to this country in 1972 in search of opportunity. My parents worked hard to create a life here, and to provide their children with a strong education and opportunity for success. I grew up watching my mother juggle a demanding career as a physician, two children, and a culturally traditional marriage. My mother is one of nine siblings. Her older sisters were married at ages 14 and 16, respectively, and each had between five and six children. When my mother reached a suitable age for marriage in India, she refused and insisted that she be allowed to pursue higher education. Her parents refused to support her but her grandfather allowed her to move in with him to attend college and medical school. I am
most proud of her ambition and desire for independence. Having had this role model in my life, being a working mother has always been my personal expectation of myself.


Coming from a family of doctors, law school was not on my radar screen at all. My family was not initially supportive of pursuing a law degree as they were unfamiliar with what was required and the job prospects. I basically had to forge my own way with it, initially without their support, and prove to them that I could be successful in a field that they and not many of their friends knew much about. After working at a large law firm in Boston, where I had my first child, I moved to the in-house legal department at John Hancock. I work primarily in the Commercial Real Estate space which is dominated by white men. There are still many moments of self-doubt, but I remind myself of the importance of women being present, heard, and respected, and that keeps me forging ahead. I want my two daughters to know that they can be anything they want to be, and no one can tell them otherwise."

Anjali Chitre is Managing Director & Senior Counsel, North American Investment Law at John Hancock

 

 

Grit & Grace: Annika Johnson McKenna

"I am a second generation Silversmith. My mother, Carolyn Johnson, is a scrimshaw and watercolor artist. My father Robert F. Johnson is a master silver and gold smith.


From an early age, I loved looking at rocks. As a kid, I would come home with pockets full of them! Some of my earliest memories are of creating jewelry along with my family in our studio. My father is the biggest influence in my life. Both artistically, and personally he gives more of himself than anyone I know. My fascination with nature has continued to this day. Whether it’s fall foliage, the shape of a small stone, or the unique color of a piece of sea glass, I am constantly inspired by the natural world around me.


I am blessed with the ability to do what I love. Since silversmithing is traditionally a man’s artistic medium, I’m honored to represent women in this role. I love connecting with people and seeing something I made bring them happiness. My customers are like family; I look forward to seeing every year."

Annika is the Owner and Founder of SeaSalt Designs