We recently sat down with Candace Campbell-Sellers, alumni of Cass Technical High School, now Senior Executive Administer to Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Detroit Public Schools Community District. Ms. Campbell-Sellers shares how she went from a student to a professional within DPSCD while managing her passion as a pianist.

Tell us how you have literally gone from being a Cass Grad to the Executive Assistant for the Superintendent? I had the privilege of working at Cass Technical High School immediately after I graduated. I was in the Computer Programming Curriculum but spent a considerable amount of time in the Music Department. As a business student, I was in the co-operative business education program, which was a program established to balance classroom experience with hands-on training.  My training was phenomenal, which included working in the office with top, high-quality administrators and secretaries. As a result, I went from being a secretary to eventually Head Secretary in a short amount of time.   My bosses helped to establish a standard of excellence that I incorporated into my work ethic, and it is that mentality that carried over to when I worked in the Office of the Inspector General and then my eventual appointment as the Senior Executive Administrative Specialist to Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti.  I am so appreciative to him, and all my bosses and colleagues over the years that have supported and empowered me to grow, thrive and flourish in my various roles within the district.

We heard you are a stellar pianist, share how that began and why it is important for you to continue to practice and perform? I came up in a family that encouraged music and started taking piano lessons at an early age. Piano is my primary instrument, but I have also played the clarinet and saxophone as well, so my youth was filled with lessons, playing in bands, participating in concert recitals in elementary, middle, and high schools and various other music showcases. As a pianist, I was focused on classical repertoire in my private studies. As an adult, I played with various bands and one day decided to start composing my own music with an emphasis on a merger of classical with jazz, rhythm and blues, and improvisational styles. After some time, I had composed enough songs for an album, which is being released this year. It is a six-song self-titled EP album – Candace Nicole, and thankfully, those singles have been getting radio airplay on NPR (National Public Radio) and its NPR-affiliate WDET-101.9 FM. I have also had the privilege to perform on PBS-TV along with sold out shows at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “The Cube,” where I have been able to preview the tracks from my album to enthusiastic music audiences. It is definitely challenging to find the time to practice with my busy work schedule and fulltime community involvement, but putting in the practice time has been so necessary to being able to be showcased at different venues and has been essential to me staying creative when I write and perform.

What advice would you give to students who are seeking a musical career? Be serious about your craft. Be committed to investing the proper amount of practice time and really study your subject, so that you can remain sharp. Always be prepared and try to think a step or two ahead. Seek out experienced music mentors who can give you valuable insights about your instrument, performance, perfecting your skills, the business side of music and those that can help you avoid pitfalls as it relates to making sure your music is registered and that you retain your publishing rights and creative control of your music.

If you could share one of your superpowers, which one do you flex the most? I think if I had to quantify a trait of mine that could be considered a superpower, it is that no matter how hectic and busy things can get, I stay focused on getting things done while uplifting people in the process. Anything I do musically or secularly cannot be done alone. So, it is always my goal to consider others, empower them, show them appreciation and maintain a high standard of excellence with a smile. I know it’s cliché, but TEAMWORK makes the DREAMWORK and this is what I try to do to put people at ease while providing solutions to various issues. So that is always my aim, to be helpful to others to the best of my ability.

Anything more you would like to add as an alumni, an administrator and as an ambassador for DPSCD? I am so proud to be an alum of Cass Technical High School and of Detroit Public Schools Community District. It has produced some of the world’s foremost talents in music, the arts, as well as some of its greatest leaders. It is my pleasure to be able to work in the Superintendent’s Office and see all the positive accomplishments our district has made and will continue to make in the years to come. So, as an Ambassador and Alum, I am so honored and privileged to be a part of the DPSCD legacy and excited to see it continually rise for our students and families!

To hear more about Candace, please enjoy the interview on WDET: Emerging artist Candace Nicole takes her sound to the next level - WDET 101.9 FM