Wendy Stuart will be hosting TriVersity Talk! this Wednesday at 7 PM ET with featured guests Steven Skeels, Rasheeda Azar, David James Boyd and Randy Bettis.
TriVersity Talk! is a weekly web series with featured guests discussing their lives, activism and pressing issues in the LGBTQ Community. With TriVersity Talk!, the goal is to laugh and learn.
TriVersity Talk! Is part of TriVersity’s ICARE Initiative. ICARE stands for Increasing Community Awareness through Relevant Education. ICARE Programs are generously funded by The Greater Pike Community Foundation.
Steven Skeels is a versatile artist who is equally as passionate to perform his own material as
he is to write and produce for other artists as well as using his art as an agent of change,
advocating for social justice and equality for all. As a singer, songwriter and producer he has
explored nearly every genre of music and continues to explore new sounds and genres. He has performed in over 40 countries and was seen on Oprah as well as numerous television programs throughout Europe. He had a top 10 single with both “Starlight Express” for CBS Records and the dance hit “The Letter” for Strictly Rhythm receiving glowing notices from both Billboard and Spin magazine. He wrote and co-produced the albums Whole and Flesh & Spirit with producer Josh Harris whose credits include Madonna, Seal, Christine Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez. Additionally, Steven co-produced Thankful: An Album for Jerad Bortz featuring music & lyrics by Skeels with Tony award winning Broadway singers, debuting at number 75 on the iTunes charts in November of 2020.
Steven is currently in the studio recording his latest pop album, Fuscia Blue with co-producer
Matt Anthony whose collaborations include Pat Monahan (Train), Darius Rucker and Shinedown to name a few.
Rasheeda Azar is a multi-faceted singer/songwriter. In 1991-1992 she got her break as a background singer for Paula Abdul on her “UNDER MY SPELL” world tour. In 1993-1994 she once again landed another job as a background singer for Janet Jackson on the “JANET” world tour, and would continue to work with Janet on and off until around 2006. In 2001 Rasheeda also worked with Enrique Iglesias for a short time on his tour.
In 1997 Rasheeda was asked to be the featured vocalist on a song called “Do It Again” on jazz piano great Bob James “Playin Hooky” CD. (Bob James is most notably remembered for writing the theme song for the hit TV series “TAXI”). In 1999 Bob James once again reached out to Rasheeda to be the featured vocalist and co-writer on song called “Sweet Talk Me Now” on his “Joy Ride” CD.
Rasheeda also co-wrote and sang background on 4 songs for Jamie Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos) CD “Here To Heaven”, as well as being a featured vocalist on the song “You Can Count On Me” on the “All The Way” CD by Calloway (former founders of the R&B recording group Midnight Star).
Rasheeda has done a tremendous amount of studio work including jingles and voice overs, as well as acting and singing for some corporate industrial shows.
Currently Rasheeda is the owner and band leader of Entourage Band, one of the hottest private event bands in the tri-state area.
Rasheeda currently resides on Long Island.
David James Boyd has produced, composed and/or arranged for many NY theatrical
Productions including:
- ZANNA DON’T (John Houseman Theater),
- CARNIVAL AROUND THE CENTRAL FIGURE (IRT),
- MATTHEW PASSION (The Actorʼs Theater),
- RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS (Fringe Encore NYC),
- ROOTS OF RAP POETRY, the popular touring childrenʼs show and all original music and lyrics for the long-running
- MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING (St. Lukeʼs Theater) Off-Broadway hit
- THE GROOVE FACTORY: Davidʼs original dance/electronic musical (A Richard Rogers Award finalist) premiered at the 2012 New York Musical Theater Festival and itʼs songs are currently still spinning on international dance floors from NYC to Singapore.
David James Boyd is serving as composer, lyricist and co-book writer for a new musical in
development, STEPCHILD (Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Lark Play Development
Center, IRT). Most recently, a concert version of MEDUSA: A NEW POP OPERA was
presented at Ludlow House, with music composed by David and directed by
Rachel Klein. Other film/tv work includes RAID ON THE RAINBOW LOUNGE, narrated
by Meredith Baxter, and the indie film hit BEAR CITY 2. David recently penned the
theme song for the multiple Emmy-nominated drama TAINTED DREAMS, which
currently is airing Season 2 on Amazon.
As a performer, David has performed in both the Broadway and 1st national touring companies of MISS SAIGON and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (with Chita Rivera).
Education: UCLA School of Film, Theater and Television.
From a nationally ranked gymnast to musical theater & television to DJ and music production Randy Bettis was destine to be an entertainer. Having had a successful career as a Broadway gypsy (CATS, Guy & Dolls: 1992 revival & Miss Saigon: Broadway and the 1st National Tour) and in various commercial and TV specials, Randy transitioned into a club/event DJ and eventually a music producer/remix artist – pairing up in 2000 with David James Boyd, who he met while on the 1st national tour of Miss Saigon.
Since launching his career in 1997, Randy has established an impressive track record with 15+ residencies, 13 commercially released compilations, and along with David Boyd, has created scores of remixes and full musical theater scores as well as music for film (the documentary Raid of the Rainbow Lounge, Bear City 2) and the YouTube series (In the Dollhouse with Lina.)
Randy has played in some of NYC’s most legendary clubs (Limelight, Sound Factory, Stereo, Splashbar) with numerous guest residencies at clubs around the US. Major events included: Heritage of Pride Dance On the Pier 19; Saint-at-Large New Year’s Day, Black Party andHalloween Party; Miami White Party and Winter Party; David Flower’s Summer Camp Pier Dance (twice); Fire Island Pines Party: Fever; Dancing on the Bay; Pittsburgh Pride’s Dancing in the Street; Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party Palm Springs (DJ Contest); A Perfect Day 2k in Austin, TX; RSVP Vacations Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, Alaskan & Mediterranean cruises; GayDays®Pool Parties (2005-2010); and One Magical Weekend’s Riptide @ Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon 2011 & 2012.
Randy and David James Boyd came together again in March of 2000 to form BetBoyz Productions, focusing their music interest on working with new artist in creating dance music that would not only be radio/club friendly but also help bring issues of equity to the airwaves and dance floors. They have created remixes for artists such Taylor Dayne, Inaya Day, Levi Kreis, Marty Thomas, Ashanti, Brian Kent, Jason Dottley, Robbyne Kaamil, Jade Stice, Steven Skeels ft. Rasheeda Azar.
Randy can be heard at his monthly radio residency on EAGLEradio.PRO and on streaming services such as Mixcloud, Soundcloud, Podomatic, Podtail and iTunes Podcast
Watch TriVersity Talk! Live on Wednesday at 7 PM ET on YouTube here:
The official website for the TriVersity Center may be found at https://www.triversitycenter.org
Subscribe and listen to TriVersity Talk! on Apple Podcasts/iTunes here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/triversity-talk/id1614158419