Conversations with Windsong CJ Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Windsong CJ Smith.

Hi Windsong, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Windsong started in 1979 as a small group of singers at a Womyns talent show, and has evolved and grown to over 80 singing members at our latest concert on May 17th at the Tri-C Western campus theater. Visit our YouTube channel Windsong Cleveland to watch us perform!
I joined Windsong in 2006 when a client and friend brought me to a potluck listening party for their last concert at the director Karen Weaver’s house, and they called a member who was in the hospital, and sang to her on the phone. At that time there were about 30 singers. Over the years, membership was steady at 26-30 members. After Heather Russel became our director and we started rehearsing at CSU, our membership grew to about 48 members in 2019. Then the pandemic arrived, and 26 of our singers held the chorus together by meeting outside to sing, and creating a few virtual pieces while we waited to sing in person again in late 2020. Our membership has been growing steadily ever since with our director since 2022 Dr. Jessica Gallagher Steuver. Windsong hosted the Sister Singers Network Festival in 2023 at CSU and at Playhouse Square, with over 500 attendees from all over the country, and had a mass chorus concert with hundreds of singers on stage at the Connor Palace Theater. Windsong now rehearses in midtown Cleveland at the Community of St. Peter, at E 71st St. and Euclid Ave. on Sundays, we perform two large concerts each year, and we are now singing more in the community. Windsong will perform at Pride in the CLE on June 6th, the national anthem at the guardians game on June 8th, and BBH Pride on June 27th. Windsong is more than a chorus, it’s a community of friends who sing together and help one another find their voice and be loud in a world that tries to silence marginalized folks.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a feminist chorus, there’s not a smooth road. Windsong has had many struggles, including inter-generational conflict, leadership and strategic planning, and the growing pains of becoming inclusive intersectional feminists.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a lifelong hairstylist, and I work at Marengo Spa in the Hyatt hotel in the old arcade downtown, where I love to help folks look beautiful for special events and take care of downtown residents who love the spa and the atmosphere. I’m also the hairstylist at the Gates Mills Club where my mom, Carolyn Smith, 87, is a resident. I love caring for the residents and staff, and learning from them, as I share my zest for life. My mom is a voice and piano teacher, and sings in the Alto 3 section with me in Windsong. I am also a lifelong singer, I’m a Tenor 2 in the North Coast Men’s Chorus too!
I’m a mom of 3 amazing humans, and I have 3 grandkids who all live in the Cleveland area, and I am grateful to be able to spend time with them often. I’m most proud of my ability to stay positive and look for good things in an upside down and backwards world. I am grateful to be here now, to be able to help Windsong grow our organizational structure to match the largest membership that we’ve had, and to be a part of such a beautiful group of singers.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think the most important quality to my success and that of Windsong, is to be curious, to be open, affirming and accepting of others and of the self.
Curiosity and heartfelt openness are keys to dealing with change.

Pricing:

• membership dues 2 cycles per year, $75 per cycle, scholarships available.
• Windsong performance at your event from $100-
• Cameo videos from $30

Contact Info:

• Website: https://windsongcleveland.org
• Instagram: windsong_cle
• Facebook: Windsong Cleveland
• Youtube: Windsong, Cleveland’s Feminist Chorus