Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Shannell B.
Hi DJ Shannell, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So, I am known to many as Shannell B or Shazzle Dazzle. I am an American music educator, media specialist, technology coordinator, and lastly disc and karaoke jockey. Raised in Baltimore Maryland, I began my admiration for music at a young age with the Baltimore City Arts. I’m the daughter of James Baynard, an American musician and former member of the R&B group Crown Heights Affair, who debuted their album on RCA Records in 1974.
I enhanced my singing repertoire with music affiliations such as the Baltimore City Police Youth Choir. Under the direction of Officer Roderick Dotson, I gained opportunities to sing with The Baltimore Ravens, The Baltimore Orioles, Shania Twain, Vitamin C, and other city-wide musical performances.
I left the choir after being accepted to Bowie State University as a Fine and Performing Arts Vocal major. Then worked heavily with the university choir, gospel choir, marching band, and the genre of Opera where I learned to perform in French, Italian, and German. During this period, I toured Innsbruck, Austria with the International Chorus.
I then obtained two Master’s degrees at Towson University in instructional technology and Music education, which allowed me to combine my love for directing choirs, bands, and STEM (Science Technology Engineering, and Math) labs in the DC area.
As an educator, many students from the DC Metro area have now traveled between St. Louis to Canada to either perform or compete in STEM-related competitions under my direction as a SMART lab facilitator, choir/band director, or media specialist.
I later transitioned into becoming a media specialist where I became an all-star librarian and storyteller to many students and people virtually over Twitch. After the pandemic, I decided to travel and perform creating new experiences and healing others now through music with a nonprofit called “The BE Side”.
As Dj Shannell B., I’m widely known and highly experienced for my ability to offer great entertainment whether it’s Saturdays on WEAA 88.9 on the audio infusion radio show, Parties in the DMV, National conferences, the Essence Music Festival, or Caribbean Islands. I’ve been an opening DJ or host for acts such as Eric Roberson, Avery Sunshine, Q. Parker, Frank Ski, Kid Kapri and so many more since 2023.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would love to say it’s been smooth because perception is everything! So in my perspective, the ride has been a smooth cruise with an obstacle here and there. Some of my best moments have arrived due to experiencing the loss of loved ones. When my father (who was one of my best inspirations) passed away, I began to push harder with my performances because I knew that he was missed and that no one could EVER match his energy, or should I say, never tried.
The idea of feeling his spirit in my performances has led me to so many other great moments that I’m forever grateful for. When I lost three of my closest sorority sisters within a 5-year timeframe, it allowed me to reflect on the importance of health, raising awareness of cancers, and making memories count without delay with family. This is what led to so many being amazed at how often music has been the foundation of healing through some rough parts of the road. I guess this is why they added radios to these vehicles, you won’t hear the bumps on the road if the music is amazing!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine and performing arts and a Master’s in Instructional Technology and Human Resources, I am heavily proud of the journey that has led to creating a coalition that merges healing, music, and youth collaborations in the Baltimore area and around the virtual platforms such as Twitch (twitch.tv/thebeside).
As of 2023, I am the executive director of a newly formed nonprofit named The Be Side Organization. The BE side is an organization of content creators who perform virtually and in person globally that vow to promote advancement, scholarships, well-being, youth collaborations, and awareness through the fine and performing arts lifestyle.
What makes you happy?
Creating and performing music with my family. Yes, music… It’s the top tier the reason behind my smile every morning. It makes me happy and I’m convinced I was made with love from my parents and that funky soulful disco era.
Don’t believe me, watch me live stream on Twitch.tv/Djshannellb or go to your favorite music streaming platforms and search up Dj ShannellB more music with my loved ones is coming soon!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djshannellb.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/djshannellb
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannell-b/
- Twitter: twitter.com/djshannellb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqloUWKLjIfG4i8tMdiA0Q
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/shazzle-d-thedeejay
- Other: https://thebeside.org
Image Credits
@yrnphotography
