The Ultimatum: Sharing The Moment That Changed Everything

Encinitas Wine & Food Festival: A Concert In Rememberance

Encinitas Rotary Wine & Food Festival 2024

Each year, I eagerly anticipate performing for the Encinitas Rotary Club’s Annual Wine & Food Festival, a tradition deeply woven into the fabric of this vibrant community. This event holds special significance as it honors the luminous life of Dr. Kristine Reese, whose radiant presence lit up every room she entered. Dr. Reese was a force of compassion and generosity, someone who gave fully and authentically of herself to everyone she met. Tragically taken from us far too soon, her legacy continues to inspire acts of kindness and charitable contributions through this beloved festival. For four magical hours, I immerse myself in music, performing an eclectic array of songs and joyfully welcoming requests from the over 1,000 enthusiastic attendees. Don’t miss out—book your tickets now for this year's festival on June 7th, 2025, at https://www.encinitaswinefestival.com/.

Synchronicity Is Speaking

Rotary District 3000 - South India Women's Members - Photo by Krupa Vikram

When Greg Day, widowof the late Dr. Reese and governor of the Encinitas Rotary, invited me to speak for the Area 4 Rotary Clubs gathering on April 29th, my heart immediately recognized the synchronicity. Exactly 28 years earlier, on April 29th, 1997, my beloved father passed away, marking a pivotal moment in my life—the day I consciously chose to live. Having previously spoken at the Encinitas Rotary Club (an unforgettable debut where I completely winged my 40-minute speech, ultimately needing to be gently coaxed offstage!), I knew this year had to be different. This special event gathered an impressive audience including Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club, Del Mar/Solana Beach Sunrise Rotary, Encinitas Rotary, Encinitas Coastal Rotary, Rancho Santa Fe Rotary, Del Mar Rotary, and honored international guests from Rotary District 3000 in South India.

Preparation Is More Palatable

Determined to honor the importance of this date and the distinguished audience, I meticulously prepared. I crafted an overview with bullet points and practiced diligently, mindful of my allotted 25-minute timeframe. My speech was intertwined with heartfelt musical dedications: a soul-stirring rendition of "Unchained Melody," honoring my father’s memory, and my original song, "Tidal Wave," dedicated to my extraordinary wife, René Cosby—my two greatest supporters and inspirations.

The luncheon began warmly, filled with official welcomes and cultural exchanges with our special guests from India. As proceedings ran slightly overtime, my pulse quickened, aware of my tendency toward verbosity. However, anchored in preparation and purpose, I remained composed & confident in the message I was determined to deliver undeterred.

The Ultimatum: From Death to Destiny

An Image Created by "Anuva" my ChatGPT from a photo of my father, Dick Barber.

I began my presentation by singing "Unchained Melody," the last song my father heard me perform when I was sixteen, setting the stage for a deeply personal story. My father, Jose Miguel Ricardo Manuel y Garcia Barber (known to everyone as Dick Barber), was my very first fan. His encouragement, marked by enthusiastic Arsenio Hall-style hollers, whistles, and roses, gave me strength even as he lay in the hospital, noticing how music calmed his vital signs. This profoundly emotional time was punctuated by meeting my abusive biological father, a biological sister and experiencing "mini miracles" along the way.

I candidly shared my challenging past—marked by early abuse, adoption, trauma, intense mental health struggles, self-harm, and attempts at suicide. Amidst darkness, music became my lifeline quite literally. Singing in church, competitions, and choirs allowed me to connect deeply with others, offering chills, goosebumps, and tears as proof of our shared humanity.

At sixteen, facing a life-altering ultimatum between life and death, music emerged as the spark of hope, illuminating my path forward. Stripped of my identity and transplanted to Australia to live with conservative relatives, I was forced to reinvent myself, stepping far beyond my comfort zone. Yet, this experience catalyzed profound growth from deep within. Eventually. my singing talents, extra-curricular involvement and top scores in academics earned me a prestigious scholarship at Chapman University, where I pursued Vocal Performance, even singing for Pope John Paul II in the Sistine Chapel for the Jubilee of 2000 during college.

I discovered myself and my true identity as Celeste, but adulthood came with other trials, including losing scholarships from being estranged from my family and battling self-worth issues tied to my body image. But meeting my wife René Cosby in 2005 provided an unwavering pillar of support and unconditional love, empowering me to finally step onto the stage at age thirty, embracing performance with bands of various genres.

Since leaving my last day job in 2014, I have fully dedicated myself to music, performing at senior living communities, weddings, galas, and special events, healing and connecting through a vast, emotionally resonant song catalog. Today, I proudly maintain a fully booked calendar, inspiring tears, joy, and powerful memories for audiences everywhere.

After I shared my story, I sat down because I knew I had run out of time to sing "Tidal Wave" but with subtle coaxing from the Rotary Presidents I returned to the stage to perform that one last song and allowing the Rotaries to continue with their annual presentations of the wonderful work they are doing in our various communities.

Getting Centered Before Speaking A Moment Caught by René Cosby

Singing, Speaking & Shining

My mission is to share this story more broadly, using my experiences and music to inspire others to find purpose, embrace healing, and fearlessly pursue their dreams & desires for authentic self-expression. I am enthusiastically open to speaking engagements, motivational and keynote opportunities, and performances even possibly combined with sound healing sessions. Topics covered in my story that could go with specific themes and organizations would include finding purpose, self-help, emotional healing, mental health awareness, teen inspiration, queer identity, navigating grief and loss, parental loss, identity, overcoming difficult situations and abuse.

I want to help create meaningful experiences that uplift, heal, and inspire. Reach out, and let’s make magic happen. celeste@celestebarbier.com