Raven Oak
Encyclopedia
Raven Oak is an American singer, pianist and songwriter, whose works deal with the survival side of life. As a survivor of both abuse and an attempted rape, Raven Oak strove to free herself from the confines of the silence often present in victims of abuse and rape.
She grew up in many places around the U.S. including Florida and Texas, where she eventually attended Richland Community College and later the University of North Texas
as a music major. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degree from UNT.
Her first CD, "Walls, Boxes, & Jars
", was written when her attempts at writing music for college music classes resulted in being "shoved into one category or another." After years of struggling with issues resulting from abuse growing up, Raven Oak wrote through her own therapy in her poetry book "Fading
". Both her CD and poetry book donate to RAINN
, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. RAINN, founded by singer/pianist Tori Amos, is America's only national hotline for rape and abuse.
"After working through the horrors in my life, I really wanted to give back to a resource that helps so many people. Victims tend to stay victims--I wanted to learn how to be a survivor. RAINN
helped with that."
Of Raven's music, Score! Music says: "Perfectly stunning musical compositions that, though they lack vocals, do not lack in emotional impact; it’s as though one can venture inside Raven’s being through her beautiful piano work. Think Tori Amos unplugged and without lyrics." Splendid E-Zine says, "...Oak transcends the damning excesses of the Lilith Fair ghetto...if it's the job of a musician to tell stories through her instruments, Raven Oak does her job exceedingly well."
Currently residing in Little Elm, Texas
, Raven Oak is currently working on her second album, tentatively titled "Fight or Flight," as well a book of short stories inspired by her life, and several science fiction/fantasy novels.
Soon Coming:
the journal and Light of Day
She grew up in many places around the U.S. including Florida and Texas, where she eventually attended Richland Community College and later the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
as a music major. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degree from UNT.
Her first CD, "Walls, Boxes, & Jars
Walls, Boxes, & Jars
Walls, Boxes, & Jars , featuring the popular songs "Tidal Wave Goodbye" and "Ligeia", was the debut album of singer and pianist Raven Oak. Written while facing the constraints of college music classes, this album explores the depths of the categories, labels, and boxes society often forces upon...
", was written when her attempts at writing music for college music classes resulted in being "shoved into one category or another." After years of struggling with issues resulting from abuse growing up, Raven Oak wrote through her own therapy in her poetry book "Fading
Fading
In wireless communications, fading is deviation of the attenuation that a carrier-modulated telecommunication signal experiences over certain propagation media. The fading may vary with time, geographical position and/or radio frequency, and is often modelled as a random process. A fading channel...
". Both her CD and poetry book donate to RAINN
RAINN
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is an American anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.RAINN...
, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. RAINN, founded by singer/pianist Tori Amos, is America's only national hotline for rape and abuse.
"After working through the horrors in my life, I really wanted to give back to a resource that helps so many people. Victims tend to stay victims--I wanted to learn how to be a survivor. RAINN
RAINN
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is an American anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.RAINN...
helped with that."
Of Raven's music, Score! Music says: "Perfectly stunning musical compositions that, though they lack vocals, do not lack in emotional impact; it’s as though one can venture inside Raven’s being through her beautiful piano work. Think Tori Amos unplugged and without lyrics." Splendid E-Zine says, "...Oak transcends the damning excesses of the Lilith Fair ghetto...if it's the job of a musician to tell stories through her instruments, Raven Oak does her job exceedingly well."
Currently residing in Little Elm, Texas
Little Elm, Texas
Little Elm is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States and a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The population was 3,646 at the 2000 census. By the 2010 census, the city total had jumped to 25,898...
, Raven Oak is currently working on her second album, tentatively titled "Fight or Flight," as well a book of short stories inspired by her life, and several science fiction/fantasy novels.
Published books
Shaded Tree Publications- Fading (Book)Fading (Book)Fading , is the therapy written poetry book by singer/pianist Raven Oak. Filled with seven years of poetry, this book explores the depth and pain in surviving both rape and abuse. The book is divided into four chapters or sections, with each section of poetry becoming darker in subject manner than...
Soon Coming:
the journal and Light of Day
External links
- Official Webpage: http://www.ravenoak.net