Today I celebrate Summer Rona, a singer/songwriter, producer, piano player and actress who is dedicated to inspiring and empowering other women. I have been reading about COVID-19, and keep seeing it referred to as "Rona." But Summer is the real Rona, a fierce and brave explorer and creator. After graduating from MTSU, she embarked on a career as an artist, which has included moving to France to perform and record and spending time singing in Asia. She has performed with Stevie Wonder, opened for Diana Ross and sung with Jermaine Jackson. She has written songs that have been featured in films and TV shows such as "Project Runway" and "Woman Thou Art Loosed." She has produced and performed music that has been featured in commercials, and other artists have recorded her songs as well. 

In 2012, her song, "Ready" was awarded "Best Song in Film" by the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. The next year, the HMMA gave her its Best Female Vocalist award. Summer's album "Summer in Paris" was not only her musical love letter to that city, but it was also a project inspired by her French grandmother, whose dying wish was for her to learn the language. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in a musical household. Her father was a classical pianist and her mother was a singer and voice teacher. "They met in a band and had me a year later," she has said. "It's because of music and love that I am here." She began performing with her parents soon after she began walking, and as a child toured with singing and dancing groups. By the time she graduated from high school, she was a triple threat -- singer, dancer and keyboardist -- and was blossoming as a songwriter.

She graduated from MTSU's Recording Industry program and spent time after graduation in Nashville before moving to Los Angeles.  As her songwriting has matured, she won First Place for her piece "Soul Static" on Ourstage.com and received honors from the Paramount Music and John Lennon Songwriting Contests. She made her Sundance debut acting with Jane Lynch in "Adventures of Power." She has studied with acting coaches and at The Actors Corp. She played a supporting role in the independent film "Slow," and landed a role in the Jessica Lange/Kathy Bates movie "Bonneville". She produces content for others through her company, Summertime Entertainment, LLC. She has produced commercials, directed stage musicals and plays and served as production manager for the "Orgena Rose Show." Of course, it was at MTSU that I met Summer, and I was immediately taken by her talent, charisma and beauty. She is sunny and optimis- tic about life and art. She is driven, bold and fearless when it comes to building her career, traveling to foreign companies and having the courage to promote her music wherever she goes. She doesn't wait to be discovered; she is taking her career in her own hands by applying her music business skills with her creative talents. She is a natural collaborator who brings out the best in others. She isn't threatened by the success of collaborators; she finds, nurtures and celebrates others' talent.

So today I share my admiration for Summer Rona, a multi-faceted artist who is making a name for herself on the International stage. Summer inspires me to remain excited about the future and realize that the direction of my life's next chapter is in my hands. She reminds women that we need to toot our own horns and take pride in our work. Be the best friend to yourself that you are for others. She inspires us to travel and immerse ourselves in new cultures. She reminds us to explore and celebrate our own style.

She teaches us that life isn't about the destination, but the journey. I can only hope she is writing a journal about all of her life-changing experiences.