This article appears in July/August 2015 Omaha Magazine.
Since coming out a few years ago, Jocelyn and Deven Muhammad have been known as "the gay siblings." But as a LGBT Nebraskans profile put it: "That's one of the least interesting things about them."
Jocelyn's a promising singer-songwriter with an old-soul spirit. A May graduate of Millard South, where she was named prom princess, she can be found performing her sweet-sad love tunes on Old Market street corners and at open mic nights around town. Her from-the-heart work, some featured in YouTube videos, has attracted the attention of the music industry. She recently sang during open mic sessions at the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go in L.A. and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. She plans to return to L.A. this summer.
Her goal is to write hit records. She's currently creating songs for what she hopes is her debut album on a major label.
Deven has been selected as a touring performing artist with The Young Americans, a nonprofit group founded 50 years ago to promote understanding and goodwill through the arts. The charismatic junior-to-be at Midland University in Fremont recently helped his school's competitive dance team win two national titles with his dynamic hip hop, jazz, and pompom routines.
In high school he starred in musical theater before becoming the first male dance team member and being voted Mr. Millard South. At Midland he was crowned Freshman Homecoming Prince.
These creatives fiercely support their individual expressions and dimensions. For a long time it was Deven who sang and Jocelyn who danced. As kids they became determined to swap lives.
"What I love about us is that I know she's the singer of the family and she knows I'm the dancer…and we kind of leave it as is," Deven says. ”We do our own thing, we have our own thing, so we don't get jealous of each other. But we also love to share what we're doing."
The siblings not only identify as gay, but also Caucasian, African-American, and Chinese. They have encountered racism, both subtle and overt. Through everything, including a childhood when their father wasn't around much and they made do with less than their friends, these two have been simpatico. Of course, the siblings also sometimes stole each other's clothes.
"We feed off each other and we respect one another,” Jocelyn says. “We’ve always had each other. We have this bond. He's always pushed me. He's very real, very blunt. He'll tell you what's up."
Though brutally honest about her first vocalizing attempts, he worked with her. Most of all, he reminded her they come from a loving family that supports whatever interest any member follows.
"He showed me there's no such thing as trying,” she continues. “You do it or you don't do it. That's what he's done with his dancing. He's very inspiring. I look up to him a lot."
Tough love is necessary if you expect to get better, Deven says. "That's why I'm hard on her on some things and that's why people are hard on me. I love being pushed, I love reaching for a new goal."
Though not surprised by Jocelyn's success, he's impressed by how far his little sister has come since picking up the guitar less than three years ago.
"She's growing up really fast. She holds herself very well. She’s different every time I listen to her. It's literally a whole new voice. Jocelyn is making strides like it's nobody's business. She's doing what she feels she needs to do to succeed."
Jocelyn has surrounded herself with veteran musicians who've taught her stagecraft and the business side of music. She considers the defunct Side Door Lounge, where she played extensively, "the best schooling I've ever had in my life," adding, "Just being there experiencing everything, meeting musicians, having jam sessions—that one venue changed the rest of my life."
Deven's refined his own craft through dance camps and workshops.
"I know if I want something in life I have to work for it," he says. "I love that the things I have are because I worked my ass off for it. I'm very appreciative of what I have. That's really shaped who I am."
As life's grown more hectic between rehearsals, school, and work, the release that comes in dance, he says, is more precious than ever.
"It kind of makes me forget about everything going on in life," he says. "It's the one thing I love to do."
When the vibe's just right during a set, Jocelyn gets lost in the music, deep inside herself, connecting with the audience.
"It just makes you feel your highest self," she says. Jocelyn feels the chances coming her way are, "happening for a reason. You create your own destiny and your own luck."
