Interviews/Desirée Goyette

This is a navigation hub for official and fan-run interviews for Desirée Goyette.

## Fan-run

Whether it's dance time or Danse Time, let's give a thanks for dancin' Desiree Danse. This is a Christmas treat indeed!

**1. Could you please introduce yourself including a brief career history?**

HI Everyone, I am Desiree Goyette and it is really tough to know where to begin. As I review your questions, Steve I think much of my background info will come out as I answer each one. Thank you so much for asking!
In a nutshell, I began as a little singer – always singing - was certain singing would be my principal career path. Went on to study piano and participated in anything from local talent shows, to pageants, to serious classical recitals, to over one-thousand performances as a singer/dancer in Broadway reviews at a major Theme Park: Marriott’s Great America (Now Paramount’s Great America). These were wonderful, memorable years where I had the priceless opportunity to get paid to develop the talent I loved. Soon, I was cast in a television series THE NEW YOU ASKED FOR IT SHOW on which I co-starred with comedian/impressionist RICH LITTLE. In the context of that series, this “little singer” from San Jose learned an incredible amount about television production and especially about the world. I was flown all over, from Sydney, Cairo, Liechtenstein to Irvine, to share stories from amazing places and faces all over the world. While on location in an Aboriginal camp in the out back of Australia, I received a seemingly “out of the blue” phone call at a pay phone a quarter-mile up a dusty road from Charlie Brown producer, Lee Mendelson who asked if I’d be willing to write some music on spec for a new animated TV special for CBS titles: NO MAN’S VALLEY. With fedexed script in hand, I dusted of an old honky-tonk piano in the back of a beer-scented bar in Alice Springs and proceeded to write five songs which I recorded on my Sony Walkman and sent to CBS. That led to my being paired-up with gifted composer/arranger Ed Bogas with whom I proceeded to collaborate on music for several Peanut’s specials, the Saturday-morning Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show, and The Garfield and Friends TV series.
**2. Could you please tell us how you landed the role as Danse?**

By the time the Jem series came along, I was also a bona-fide voice-over actor having landed the role of BETTY BOOP in a brand-new special titled THE ROMANCE OF BETTY BOOP. So my audition for Jem was fairly routine. I remember going into a booth, being told I was auditioning to be part of an all-girls’ rock band. I thought I’d get to sing, but they just wanted me to speak. So I happily read for probably all the roles. But the producer really wanted the voice that came most naturally to me which was a sweet, melodic voice. I guess my years of singing served me well here!
**3. Your character was a dancer for fun who was also a volunteer for a teenage runaway shelter. Were you happy with that role?**

Yes I was, from a personal standpoint I think I was best suited for that role, having come from a family of several adopted siblings and a mother who’d spent much of her childhood in shelters and foster homes. From a business standpoint it would have been great to be featured on more episodes!!
**4. Ever wish you could/would do that in real life?**

I actually, through my mother’s huge example, have always been involved with “displaced” children and adults. AND I have choreographed several productions including one TV special (definitely not a hit!!) titled THE SUNDAY FUNNIES.
**5. Even more focused was your special episode titled “Danse Time.” This was the episode where Danse gets injured and befriends a blind man in the hospital. It taught kids about hard work and respecting others with different handicaps. I’ll add that it’s my favorite episode of the ones that were released (I play that one more than any other program on the DVDs.) Did this episode have a special meaning to and/or for you?**

Yes, I remember it. While recording it, I felt aware that it would have a positive impact - the concept that it is “cool” to be compassionate. I had a similar experience at one time, when I lost my voice for almost a year. When we lose that which we hold most valuable in our lives it causes us to dig deeper to seek out what other gifts we have to offer. To find those places that can’t be touched by injury or accident. We have many wonderful examples of folks – who though wheelchair bound, have made enormous contributions to the world.
**6. There was also a story where Danse searched to find her mother. Unfortunately, it never happened because the series ended after 65 episodes. Were you disappointed?**

YES!!! Again I felt a personal connection to that story since I had real-life experience with children who had “lost” their mothers in one way or another. No doubt Danse perpetual search for her mother, prompted her to express mother-qualities in her life. She was admittedly the most nurturing character in the cast.
**7. You still continued to be in this entertainment business contributing to animation works. With your experience, do you have your own ideas/thoughts why Jem ended after only 65 episodes when so many other series have had over 100?**

I really don’t know why it ended – especially given the following it STILL has! It may have had something to do with its extreme “hip” quality. You know perhaps it was simply too reflective of a very specific cultural wave. Perhaps “too trendy” though the message it presented, and the niche it filled for “tweenies” and teens was unique.
**8. If Jem had a reunion and your agent called informing you of the role of Danse, would you return?**

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Sam and I and the rest of the cast can still play that age-range. So please “Book Us Danno!”
**9. Life outside of Jem - \*looks at your webpage\* - “Flashbeagle” - only heard it once when I saw that Peanuts show, but remember it as “Flashbeagle - his eyes like a wild eagle.” Seems you can write music as well. Could you compose Jem type tunes if a reunion occurred?**

Oh of course I’d love to. FLASHBEAGLE actually sounds like a Jem song. Thanks for noticing the lyrics – got a Grammy nomination for my work on the Disney record of the same title that year. VERY COOL!
**10. 1990 was the year David Benoit’s 1985 album “This Side Up” was re-released. One of my favorite jazz albums. It was also the year you performed with him for a Peanuts tribute. What was the experience like?**

Oh man THIS SIDE UP YES!!!!! What a great – classic smooth jazz recording. I loved working with David and continued to work with him here and there. My first point of contact was when I wrote lyrics to his gorgeous musical tribute to his wife Kei – KEI’S SONG. That melody haunted me – it brought up such feelings of a deep, unconditional love. So I wrote lyrics and he was generous enough to re-record it with me singing a vocal. As far as I know that recording is the only vocal-version that exists of the song. – Beautiful.
That Carnegie Hall – Peanut’s Tribute experience was amazing. As I stood in the wings I felt the heartbeat of all those legendary performers who’d been there before me – most especially JUDY GARLAND. It was a very rewarding experience and I received a lot of positive feedback from it.
**11. What are your musical influences or favorite artists?**

Ah well there’s Judy Garland, and of course Barbra Streisand. Also Ella Fitzgerald. From the world of opera, I love René Fleming.
**12. When you write music, do you utilize your influences or is there a certain feel and/or mood that comes to mind?**

BOTH – it just depends upon the perspective or assignment. Often words and music come at the same time. It’s truly a spiritual experience – you begin with a blank sheet of paper and suddenly music appears - such a satisfying experience. The music manages to express something so much deeper than just words. It has a way of stripping away pretense and suddenly the listener finds him/herself drawn into a variety of feelings. It resonates at a level that speaks to us universally. Song is definitely my favorite and most effective means of communication.
**13. Your artistry also covers action movies as well. What is your vocal range; can you sing in octaves?**

Well yes – I have about a four-octave range. One of my rules is that I envision unlimited voice – like a painter with an unlimited color palette. So though I am classified soprano, I enjoy using as much of my range as possible. No doubt this has helped me with my voice-over career. Knowing how to access as much color and range as possible is something I also teach in voice-over and singing workshops.
**14. Does your natural voice sound like Danse’s, sweet, light, gentle, and caring?**

Ha funny to have to answer that question. With al modesty, I guess I have to say yes – in fact I s’pose one of the most difficult things for me to do with my voice is express an edgy or angry quality. I can do it – but folks don’t associate that with me.
**15. Lightchild publishing - is there a certain style of music that’s published under your label?**

Lightchild was formed as a distribution outlet for my inspirational music, which I immersed myself in when both my brother and mother were struggling with cancer. Though they both transitioned out of this life, I was able to share these musical prayers with them and through the years have found a very willing audience for this type of music. Stylistically though more pop ballad/classically oriented in the beginning, my newest CD has a lighter more contemporary feel to it – lots of jazz influences.
**16. Your calendar is booked. You’re performing about 5 days before Christmas and then again near the end of January. Can you describe your performing as a labor of love in your own words?**

You know I recently took one of those Myers-Briggs tests, the test that helps you to zero-in on your strengths and a natural career path. What it classified me as was a counselor or minister. So in a way, my counseling, my ministry is the music. It is so rewarding to hear from folks who have been touched by some small idea in one of my songs – something that has healed or inspired them in some way. When the audience laughs, smiles, cries, I know I am connecting with them and since I think it is our destiny as a race to re-connect with one another it is no mystery to me that sharing in this way is simply what I must do. So yes it is a labor of love – but it is a loop of love where I both give and receive.
**17. Would you mind describing this Judy Garland Show you are pairing up with LaMont Ridgell? Looks very interesting.**

YES!! This is such a fun show and we’re looking for more venues to perform it at. My friend LaMont does a great Nat King Cole and I do a pretty decent Judy. So he researched and discovered that there was an episode of the JUDY GARLAND TV SHOW in which Nat King Cole was scheduled to appear but for a variety of reason the plug was pulled on the episode so it was rehearsed but never recorded or broadcast. So LaMont found the list of songs they were scheduled to perform and we re-created the show – just for fun. These days I am seeking out more and more cabaret and theatre performance opportunities. Getting back to my childhood roots. I am recognizing the pure value of joy for the sake of joy. In other words – though I write “inspirational” music, there is inspiration in most anything given a positive spirit behind it.
**18. Are you a big fan of Judy Garland?**

That would be a YES!
**19. Which do you like better, The Wizard of Oz, or some other of Judy’s performances?**

Oh GEEZE too many favorites to decide. I actually really enjoy one of her lesser-known films, THE HARVEY GIRLS really a quirky film but has that incredible performance of ON THE ATCHINSON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE. Check it out it’s great with a classic supporting cast.
**20. Your husband was a songwriting partner, correct? Would you mind describing how music can form a bond of love?**

I think that writing music – at its best - requires your heart to be open. So when you are collaborating it is with that openness and an absolute requirement to connect. So you find yourself vulnerable – sitting with the need to be an open book – no personal chatter. You pour out your heart in that song and meet your partner at that level. Ed and I were working on a particular song – nothing I even remember – but the process of coming up with one specific lyric line brought our minds together such that we came out with the exact long string of lyrics at the exact same moment. Our eyes met, connected at such a deep level in the experience forever changed my perspective of what it is to love and be loved. We are soul mates and have two hilarious children – twins, boy and girl – such an amazing blessing!

**21. So after the Judy Garland show, what is next for you?**

Hopefully more writing, parenting, performing, connecting - and if Mr. DeMille calls me for a role in a major motion picture I won’t say “no”!
**22. How do you decide what you will do for your next act?**

Gosh I guess I’m very pro-active around that – I mostly take what comes to me. I think I need to do a new visioning process around that!
2**3. Any general advice for young/new performers out there?**
Do what you love, open your heart, do it for the love of it with little expectation for where it will lead, or if it will bring “fame”. What we have is now – spend it in love, joy, openness and forgiveness. This is your point of power use it!

**24. To sum up this interview Jem style, how has Jem changed you by thinking of 1985/’86 up to today?**

What a wonderful question! Answering your questions has given me a sweet opportunity to reminisce and take stock of all the great experiences I’ve had. It also motivates me to look forward to 2010 with some fresh – new resolve. DANSE HAS MUCH MORE DANCIN’ TO DO. So “WAIT ‘TIL YOU SEE ME DANCE” – AGAIN!
**25. Any final words to say to the Jem fans?**

Sparkle, shine – you’ve got what it takes and no-one sparkles quite like you do!