Students push South Pointe teacher to follow her musical dream

In her English and creative writing classes, Carlo Dawson urges students to push past insecurities, explore their creativity and express themselves.

For many teens, the experience is revelatory and opens their eyes to undiscovered talents. Several students said they owe their degree and career pursuits to the South Pointe High teacher.

"She inspires us," senior Trey Colvin said.

But for Dawson, it's the other way around.

She credits students for motivating her to rediscover a passion for singing. Without their encouragement and help, Dawson's doubtful that making music would be more than a hobby. And she probably wouldn't have released a full-length album, as she did in December.

Dawson, 33, records under the name Carlo L'Chelle. Her album, nine tracks long and titled "The Book of My Revelation," has an R&B and neo-soul sound reminiscent of Jill Scott and Sade.

The songs, all written and arranged by Dawson, are introspective and uplifting.

"It's just a portrait of my life," she said.

Dawson recorded her first song six years ago, but the drive to pursue a career as an artist didn't come until students started pushing her.

They first heard her sing in class, when Dawson, aiming to make students feel comfortable sharing their own creative work, played her music for them.

"I thought she was amazing," said Kim Hart, a former South Pointe student. "I really couldn't understand why she was a teacher.

"She would tell us it's a hobby, but we were like, 'You would do awesome with a singing career.'"

Several students believed in their teacher so much that after graduating, they came back to help her.

Robert Webb played her songs on college radio at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he's studying broadcasting and production.

Webb also built Dawson's website and shot and produced her first music video.

Former student Amber Vinson designed the album cover.

Hart created flyers for the album release party, and Colvin, who dances and plans to attend the Art Institute of Charleston for culinary arts, put Dawson in touch with a music consultant.

"I have no huge company backing me," Dawson said. "It is all grassroots. My husband, Chris Dawson, is my supportive manager. My sister, Tamra Goodson, is my photographer and stylist, and my students have helped me along the way."

Songs 'a safe haven'

Dawson was three when she started singing at church in her hometown of Darlington. Her father, who sang there too, was her influence.

By 10, she had written poems and songs.

"That was just my safe haven. I would just write," she said.

In her junior year at the College of Charleston, she switched her major from biology to English to pursue writing. After graduating she got a job teaching at Northwestern High before moving to South Pointe when it opened in 2005.

Word about her singing spread on campus.

"Rumors went around, but no one believed it," Colvin said. "She was like, 'Yeah, I sing.' And we were like, 'No, you don't.'

"When she did, it just blew us away."

Students said they want to do for Dawson what she does every day for dozens of teens.

Hart recalled a day when Dawson caught her doodling in creative writing class. Dawson complimented Hart on her work and urged her to share it with the class during the weekly free day when students gather to share writing and other creative work.

"She inspired me to open up," said Hart, who's studying design at the Art Institute of Charleston.

Whenever a project was assigned, Webb would turn in short films.

"She saw my videos and said, 'You know, you could really become a professional,'" Webb said.

Dawson put him in touch with her cousin, who was getting married, which led to Webb's first videography gig.

In Dawson's class, Colvin said he learned to love the written word.

"Poems? That wasn't me," he said. "Now, I'm always writing."

When Dawson learned that Colvin enjoyed dancing, she urged him to perform at the school pep rally. Later she pushed him to host the school's talent show.

"She makes you feel like you're one of her own children," Colvin said. "There's no way that you can't love Ms. Dawson."

What's tough? Balance

The toughest part of teaching, recording music and raising a 10-month-old and a 3-year-old, Dawson said, is finding a balance.

While she writes whenever there's time, she records during summer when students are out of school.

"Whatever you feel like is important, you make time for," she said.

"Right now I'm just trying to get my music out there.

"I'm teaching. I'm grading papers. I'm recording."

Want to hear more?

To hear tracks off of Carlo Dawson's debut album "Carlo L'Chelle's: The Book of My Revelation," visit: www.carlolchelle.com

The site was designed by Dawson's former student Robert Webb, who's work can be seen at: www.rw-productions.net

This story was originally published May 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Students push South Pointe teacher to follow her musical dream."