What People Are Saying About "Practicing for Love: A Memoir" by Nina Kennedy

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“Concert pianist Nina Kennedy’s memoir, Practicing for Love, is a tour de force of wokeness. 

Nina Kennedy, an African American concert pianist who has lived and performed abroad, shares her unique challenges to success and survival in a matter-of-fact style that is at times provocative, informative—even shocking—to the uninitiated. She seems to have had a front row seat to history, meeting and mingling, being influenced and inspired by a veritable Who’s Who in the zeitgeist of the 20th and 21st centuries.

From Bernstein to Beyoncé, Nina’s Practicing for Love: A Memoir recounts her influential sources, chance encounters, and sixth degree connections with some of our artistic trendsetters in a way that almost channels Forrest Gump’s ‘in the right place at the right time’ phenomenon. You owe it to yourself to escape from the current pandemic to the vicarious exploits of a contemporary, unblinking connoisseur of our culture.”

 - Carol Elligan Martin, former Fisk Jubilee Singer

“For those in the world of classical music, Kennedy’s book is a winner. Her musical talent and technical achievements are obvious to anyone familiar with the works in her repertoire. Moreover, her descriptions of the challenges she faced as a Black woman in classical music provide essential, timely, and pointed critiques of the field. Musicians, composers, conductors – take note!”

 - Dean Aldrich, father, trained concert pianist, teacher of music and history, and graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in piano performance and music education (bachelor's and master's degrees).


"Nina, THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH for your Memoir!...… I'm changed! I didn't want it to end."

 - Clinton Turner Davis, Theater Director, Stage Producer

"Nina Kennedy, a GLAAD Media Institute alum from New York and accomplished concert pianist, also released her memoir Practicing For Love recently. Nina’s memoir discusses her experiences in the music industry, and perspectives she has gained as a black woman in the industry. The book also promises stories including celebrities like Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, and even Hillary Clinton."

  - Mackenzie Harte, GLAAD Media Institute Coordinator for Education and Training
“Nina, I cannot put your memoir down. I can’t even put into words my emotion. God bless you for sharing.”

- Cheryl Pitts-Bryant, former Fisk Jubilee Singer


"Some steamy, sultry, sexy sh*t. And some truth! Some real sh*t!"

 - Queen Nejma Nefertiti, lyricist/rap performer


"[The] book is fabulous!! Very bold and fearless! Love it! It's so good to know first hand the struggles of having a national and international classical pianist career."

- Edythe Jason, former Fisk Jubilee Singer and actor with the Negro Ensemble Company


"A fascinating story of an uncompromising talent before her time."

 - Damon Evans, opera singer, actor (known for his portrayal of the character "Lionel" in the award-winning television show The Jeffersons.)
4.0 out of 5 stars Uncompromising, a revelation

"Kennedy, a piano prodigy, paints real life back stage.... it's the diary of an uneasy heart and an appeal for creative rights in the face of relentless racism and sexism."

 - Mark MacNamara, writer/journalist

"It's a story of a little girl coming of age and trying to find her voice. You will relate because in some form of fashion we are all that little girl just trying to be heard! Loved it!"

 - Marian Webb Fleury


"Practicing for Love is more than a memoir; it is a history of music, a trip around the world and an exposé of racism and sexism, all shown through the life of one extraordinary woman. Read it NOW."
             
 - Liz Margolies, LCSW

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a Wonderful Story!

"This book is simply amazing! I couldn’t put it down. Such an extraordinary life! Vivid details of [her] experiences kept me engaged until the very last page. I can’t wait until the next book!"

-Wendy Levine-Freeman

Purchase Practicing for Love: A Memoir here.

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