A rhythmic lyrical element has always filled the stream of Angela Norris’ deepest most personal thoughts and, after hearing the powerful emotion released by Alanis Morissette in “You Oughta Know,” she was inspired to combine her passions of music and poetry. The result was the creation of her first CD, released in August, entitled“23: it’s over.” A type of vocal diary opened for the world to see. “It’s a musical vent session, a therapeutic way to get through some of life’s challenges,” Norris said.

The CD’s title represents the time when Norris turned 23 years old and gained a new perspective on the joys and tribulations of love and life in general. “It was an age where I had a turning point and learned the fantasy is over.”

Born in Dayton, Norris began writing poems and short stories about as soon as she could hold a pencil. At six years old, Barbara Streisand became an idol from the line, “Hello, gorgeous,” from the film “Funny Girl.” From that moment she was determined to be a singer, actress, performer or anything to display her creativity.

All of Norris’s writing, poetry and music benefit from the words being coated with her personal emotions, a practice she started after her parents’ divorce when she filled journals with poems that brought healing. During her freshman and sophomore years of high school, she had five poems published nationally but chose to focus on making music.

Three days after graduating from Kettering Fairmont High School, Norris moved to Orlando, Florida, to pursue her dream under the encouragement of her singing coach who saw loads of potential. Norris worked at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom where she portrayed various different characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Dale the Chipmunk, who was her favorite.

Next, Norris was accepted into the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. However, she felt pulled to use her creativity with music and lyrics in producing and joined the Full Sail’s Recording Arts Program from which she graduated in 2003.

Though the dream of having “23: it’s over” didn’t happen as soon as Norris had expected, she has no regrets of the journey taken. “All great things take time. It took about six years but I wanted it to be the best, my songs, my words. It’s my little baby,” she said.

Another influence in Norris’s career is Fionna Apple, who took five years to complete her first album, which met with success. Now that it is released, she feels a wide range of emotions. “I’m nervous, relieved and excited for what’s next,” Norris said.

A video is being produced for her single “Awaken” which will be shown on My Space (www.myspace.com/angeladawn3), You Tube and other outlets.

Norris will also be exploring more of the acting side of her career in the independent horror film “Legend” by Historical Productions. It’s set during the Civil War where a legendary curse haunts and hunts for wounded victims. “I play Cassandra, a widow who helps a group of soldiers from both sides fight against this curse while staying unharmed and alive.” A release date is scheduled for the summer of 2009. More information can be found at www.historicalproductionsinc.com/legend.html.

In addition, Norris also operates her own business, Break of Dawn Creations, which was started in 1999 for the purpose of being able to independently create and distribute her music, poetry, photography, crafts and other ideas.

“As I grew up and obtained some real world experience I knew to steer clear of the mainstream music scene and started out researching independent artists and how they operated, at least until the big wigs come knocking on my door with an offer I can’t refuse,” Norris said.

From her willful independence, Break of Dawn Creations was formed to utilize her name and expose anything creative that she would ever want to release. “Eventually, I would like very much for my company to be a platform for other people to use as a way of getting their own ideas out to the world, but for now I’m focusing on my own projects and building my business.”

It led to the release of a book of poems she has written over the last 15 years, exploring her depths of pain and heights of euphoria with nothing held back. The poems serve as a portal into her soul. “Whether you think I’m an emotional masochist preparing for the inevitable, a hopeful romantic hiding behind a cynical screen or everything in between, you’re probably right,” she said.

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