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b'Van later joined The Actor\\u2019s Workshop, where she studied for two years in Studio City. To date, Van\\u2019s television credits include \\u201cLeadfoot\\u201d, an After-School Special, a reporter on "General Hospital," as well as a featured role in an episode for the long-running daytime television show, \\u201cThe Bold and the Beautiful\\u201d. She also appeared on \\u201cThe Gong Show\\u201d where she came in second place, as well as a number of TV commercials.

In addition to her extensive list of accolades as a singer/actress, Van\\u2019s involvement in the entertainment industry spans to the business side, where she worked for Jonathan Dolgen, then President of the Fox Studios, as well as Renny Harlin, who directed \\u201cNightmare on Elm Street\\u201d.

In the fall of 1998, Van graced JET magazine as the September centerfold. Though, she feels her biggest accomplishments were when she became a member of the highly talented music spinoff, \\u201cThe Platters.\' Van also was a member of \'\\u201cThe Friends of Distinction\\u201d, \\u201cThe Sounds of the Supremes\\u201d and \\u201cThe Fifth Dimension\\u201d.

While performing with the Supremes, Van appeared on numerous television shows in Australia and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Germany. In 2003, Van appeared on the Jerry Lewis Telethon in New York while performing with \\u201cThe Fifth Dimension\'\' and also performed on the \\u201cDick Clark\\u2019s Rockin New Year\\u2019s Eve\\u201d special with Donna Summer.

In 2004, Van took on a new role when she became CEO and co-founder of Smooch Inc., a premium clothing line Van created along with her husband and CFO, Larry Kantor.

Van returned to her music roots in 2008 when she and Kantor formed Smooch Music, Inc.
Van and Larry worked for years with Shawn Rivera of La Face Records\\u2019 \\u201cAz Yet\\u201d, on recording Maya Angelou\\u2019s last project before her passing titled \\u201cCaged Bird Songs\\u201d, an album of her spoken word performances over hip-hop beats, and R&B and gospel tracks. The album was produced by RoccStar (Chris Brown, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez) and Rivera. Van has co-writing credits on most of the album. The single from that album, \\u201cHarlem Hopscotch\\u201d, yielded a music video directed and produced by Emmy Award winning Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo of NappyTabs, who have handled choreography choirs for \\u201cSo You Think You Can Dance\\u201d, \\u201cDancing With The Stars\\u201d and many music videos. The \\u201cHarlem Hopscotch\\u201d Video was produced with the help and production support of OWN Digital. This incredible album of music will bring the heritage and legacy of Dr. Angelou to younger people for years to come.

Shawn Rivera is a Father of 3, lover of life. Founding member of Multi-Platinum, Grammy-Nominated, Billboard #1 R&B Group, Az Yet. Producer/Arranger, 1/5 of Viva Mas
For more information, please visit www.CagedBirdSongs.com
#azyet #drmayaangelou #spokenword #smoochmusic #shawnrivera #vanjewell'