Vocal Coach Renee Grant-Williams Shares Battle With Parkinson’s Disease

Vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams‘ shares her escalating battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

“I want people to know what is happening with me and why I have been in seclusion for such a long time,” says Grant-Williams.

She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1993 after a routine visit with her doctor. She shares details of her battle admitting, “Everything from putting on my shoes to ordering a cheeseburger is an effort beyond anything others can imagine. Like a boa constrictor, PD wraps itself around your body and mind strangling your will to accomplish. You must motivate yourself 100% of the time to do even the little everyday things, let alone try to live a full and rich life.”

In a candid testimony, she offers personal details of her life that she has kept private up to now. She says, “Not only has Parkinson’s interfered and dominated my private life, like rolling over in bed which is difficult, like getting dressed by myself which is impossible, like tying my shoes– but it’s affected my life as a musician.”

Her motivation keeps her fighting the best way she knows how saying, “Against all odds, I’ve been able to live with Parkinson’s.”

This escalating disease has prompted a GoFundMe account to be established by her long-time care giver, Steve Goldinger. The fund has been established to help support Grant-Williams with her medical costs, 24/7 care and other escalating financial obligations.

“With a busy schedule and steady clientele, she always thought her work would secure her a comfortable financial future, but with the onset of Parkinson’s, everything changed. The debilitating limitations Parkinson’s has put on her means she must limit the hours that can teach,” says Goldinger.

Grant-Williams has worked with many country greats including, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dixie Chicks, and Garth Brooks as well as rock and pop artists such as Scott Stapp (Creed), Christina Aguilera, Linda Ronstadt, Ben Folds, Huey Lewis, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) and Dave Mustaine (Metallica/Megadeth). In addition to her training offerings in Nashville, she’s conducted international seminars in countries including South America, Europe, and Australia.

Grant-William’s formal education took place at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she also taught. She served as the Director of the Division of Vocal Music at the University of California, Berkeley, and worked as a Musical Director at the Actors Studio in Manhattan before eventually establishing permanent residence in Nashville.

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Sherod Robertson

Sherod Robertson is President and Owner of MusicRow Enterprises. He oversees all operations and develops strategic initiatives for MusicRow magazine, RowFax, and MusicRow's CountryBreakout chart. Robertson previously served as Director of Finance of Arista Records after beginning his career as Vice President of Finance and CFO at Reunion Records.

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