Singer. Actress. Writer. Director.
Olivia-Diane Joseph, born Olivia-Diane Callier to a Jazz musician and minister of music father, Ricky Callier, and phenomenal mother and trumpet player, Sybrena Lynn in Grand Rapids some time in the 80s or so. With jazz, blues and gospel music holding the position of constant real-life soundtrack, Olivia, or Liv as those who know her best call her, latched on to the world of performance and entertainment with a passion and zeal for entertaining.
Liv discovered her talents in writing while in high school, where she wrote, choreographed and directed a musical performance for a talent show. Her father insisted that she produce all of her own music by herself in his state of the art home studio, though he had the know how and skills to do it for her. Her parents encouraged her and her 2 brothers and 1 sister to be independent, strong, aspirational individuals, never settling for less than best! Though at times the "Joe Jackson-esque" tactics of her stern musician father were annoying as hell, they helped develop her into the driven artist she is now. After deciding to lean on a more academic career path and graduating from the University of Oregon with a BA in Sociology and English (as far away from music and acting as she could go!), Liv went on to teach Middle School English in the Bronx, NY, where she accidentally became the Vocal Music and Stage Performance class teacher. That good 'ol performance bug bit her hard after she finished writing, directing, producing, scoring and choreographing the schools 3rd musical stage performance in one school year! She knew then that she was meant to do something else. Three kids, two states and 6 cars later, Olivia found herself in Los Angeles with her family and moving forward with her mentor, Debbie Allen, who has brought her from the 8 month pregnant woman auditioning in Atlanta, GA for the lead role in the Pre-Broadway show Twist; An American Musical (which, by the way, did not call for a pregnant woman, but a sexy, sultry club singer!) to a co-starring role on one of television's more popular shows, Grey's Anatomy. |
Countless film, tv and stage performances have filled the past years that Liv has resided in Los Angeles since 2010, not to mention the films and projects that Olivia continues to write, produce and direct herself, including one short film, Dinner Date, starring Aloma Wright (Scrubs) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters).
Between Singing, Acting, Writing, Directing and Producing (and, thanks to Ms. Debbie Allen, a lot-a-bit of dancing!) Olivia is on a fast-moving train in the direction of overall ARTIST! Olivia has also started the non-profit youth sports program called Beyond Basics Youth Sports. Visit www.gobeyondyouthsports.org for more info or to donate to the cause! |