Raven Oak | Denton, TX Acoustic / Instrumental / Other Music Artist

Raven Oak — Denton, TX

Genre: Acoustic / Instrumental / Other

Artist Profile

Name: Raven Oak
Label: Shaded Tree
Location: Denton TX

Biography:

I was not originally born an “Oak”, but I think there was a mix up. While my family’s last name was not the worst in the world, but sounded like some kind of old German sausage, misspelled and mixed up too many times. After writing books and music under this name [Raven Oak], I legally changed my name. I started playing the piano in elementary school, learning to play what I heard by ear. I stayed with the piano but didn’t take any actual lessons until college. I started writing novels seriously in tenth grade and short stories and poetry shortly after. I did write a few novels in middle school but let’s just say they have been buried in a hidden file cabinet and shall remain that way.

In college, I took 3 years of music classes, focusing on music composition. Currently, outside of my first album and poetry book, I am working on several SF/F novels and some experimental short stories. My mundane job that pays the bills is teaching. I am certified to teach K-12 English, reading, ESL, and computers. I have a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Computer Education and Cognitive Systems. I currently live in Texas, just north of Dallas in the college town of Denton. I enjoy reading anything and everything as well as drawing, painting, listening to music of various genres, and answering email.

I have been through several lifetimes in my life. So many around me were blind to the experiences in my life. I spent a year in a whirlwind of depression and suicide attempts before I started to piece things together. Four years of really digging resulted in my knowing myself, good and bad. I’ve danced with my secrets and come out a stronger person. Those who hurt me are powerless. I wish they would accept it. After such growth, I married my high school love (as sappy as it gets, huh?) and did not change my name again. While I have experienced quite a bit, I am also very happy with my life now. People can survive abuse and live again.

I am nothing special. I am just me. I write. I read. I play piano. But underneath the surface, I’m just a bunch of body parts like everyone else.

www.ravenoak.net