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Storytelling and loving books

Singer and songwriter Kassy Levels talks about supporting the BDFK program and enjoying books

Sunday, March 13, 2011

By Karina Ramírez
For Responsive Education Solutions

Teenage local celebrity Kassy Levels teamed up with Book Drive for Kids (BDFK) to give more children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area access to books during her CD debut concert held on Friday, March 11 at the Courtyard Theatre in Plano.

During her CD release party, Levels presented an audio message about the BDFK program and collected needed books. A total of 133 books were donated by Levels and her fans for the BDFK program that has distributed over 10,000 books to more than 4,000 low-income children in the Metroplex.

“I wanted to be involved in the program because that is how I started,” Levels, 14, said. “I started with the love of books and BDFK distributes books to kids that don’t necessarily have them.”

Levels said she learned about the BDFK program through her mother and she thought it would be a good charity to support during her party.

“I love books and have found inspiration through them to do what I do. It seemed like a natural way to give back.” Levels said, “I want kids to grow up having the love for books like I do.

In addition to the book collection, Levels and her parents, Karen and Kevin Levels, sold $1 bookmarks inspired by Levels’ CD debut party. A total of $61 was collected during the party with all the proceeds provided to the book drive program.

“It was a nice thing for them to do,” said Jerry Tolle, Book Drive for Kids coordinator.  He explained that the book program will continue to benefit from sales of the bookmarks on an ongoing basis, since Levels and her family decided to make BDFK her charity of choice.

A native of Richardson, Texas, Levels’ debut album, “Storyteller,” is a collection of stories set to music. The verses, most of them penned by Levels herself, are inspired by daily life situations. The songs were inspired by stories she heard from her parents or situations that teens may go through today. One track entitled, “Strong Person” talks about bullying and how teens can remain strong when presented with difficult circumstances.

Levels, a once self-proclaimed shy kid, said she is doing exactly what she wants to do and encourages other children and teens to follow their callings.

“It’s a lot of hard work to get to the places you would want to go, but if you have that determination and drive you will get there,” Levels said, crediting her parents for helping her find and launch her career in music. “If you believe this is what you want to do, keep on practicing and what you know is going to make you better at it.”

Levels, a freshman in high school, is homeschooled by her mother and an outside instructor. She said she has changed a lot in a year.

“I was a shy kid. I used to cry at school and everything,” she said. “A year ago from today if you would have told me that that I would be performing in front of people, wearing makeup and all that stuff and loving it, I would say, ‘you are crazy!’ – that’s how shy I was.”

When she is not writing, coming up with a new melody or doing her “gigs” as she calls them, Levels finds joy in reading.

“The last book I read was The Secret Garden. It was mesmerizing,” Levels said about Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous book.

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A short Q&A with Kassy Levels

What is your favorite school subject?
I am really into chemistry right now.

Other then music, would you want to go to college?
Yes, I do take interest in words. I want to be a songwriter or a biologist.

When do you usually find yourself writing your music?
It can be anywhere really; sometimes I’ll be outside on my balcony or an everyday thing like washing dishes or playing the guitar when I figure out how to write something. I get a melody in my head.

Do you remember your first gig?
My first gig was at Coffee N Cream, [a bakery and restaurant] in Allen. It was first concert I held for my family and friends.

Do you play any musical instrument?
I play the guitar, but I actually started on the piano. Now that I know the piano, I see how my head works.

How does music and writing help you?
Without music I don’t know what I’ be doing right now. It helps me communicate things. Writing is such an eloquent way of expressing yourself.