Megan Piphus Peace: From Ventriloquism to Sesame Street
In the world of entertainment, few stories are as captivating and inspiring as that of Megan Piphus Peace. From a young girl with a dream to the first Black female puppeteer on Sesame Street, her journey is one of dedication, talent, and breaking down barriers.
The Early Years
Megan's story begins when she discovered her passion for ventriloquism and puppetry at the age of ten. It was during a puppetry conference trip to Illinois with her Vacation Bible School teacher that her fascination with the art form began. Growing up watching TV programs like Sesame Street and Lamb Chop's Play-Along, she had always believed the characters were real. Little did she know that this trip would change her life forever.
Megan's mother, a speech pathologist for Cincinnati Public Schools, recognized her daughter's newfound passion and wholeheartedly supported it. She drove Megan to libraries across Ohio to rent VHS tapes on ventriloquism and even bought her a ventriloquist doll, Charlie McCarthy, to practice with in front of the mirror.
The Rise of the Valedictorian Ventriloquist
Megan's journey as a ventriloquist began at her elementary school, where she performed for students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. Her performances were not just about entertainment but also about imparting valuable life lessons. Megan's father, a talented musician and pastor of Zion Global Ministries, inspired her love for singing and performing, and she saw this as a creative outlet for self-expression.
During her teenage years, Megan took her ventriloquism act on the road, performing at schools, churches, and festivals across the nation. Her talents even earned her a spot on The Oprah Winfrey Show's "World's Smartest and Most Talented Kids" episode.
The Journey to Vanderbilt
As Megan approached the end of her high school years, her accomplishments were already impressive. She graduated as valedictorian of her class and was chosen to speak at her commencement ceremony. With a puppet by her side, her speech went viral on YouTube, earning her the nickname "Valedictorian Ventriloquist."
Her academic achievements and talent had already set her apart, and when she received a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, which covers full tuition, for Vanderbilt University, her future was looking brighter than ever. While studying economics and minoring in music and Spanish, Megan continued to pursue her passion for puppetry, though she initially tried to keep a low profile as she began her college journey.
The Vanderbilt Ventriloquist and Beyond
Megan's efforts to fly under the radar were foiled during orientation when then-Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos mentioned her as one of the standout students in her incoming class. From that point on, she became known as "The Vanderbilt Ventriloquist."
During her time at Vanderbilt, Megan remained incredibly active. She served as a resident adviser for three years, was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, served as the secretary of the Black Student Alliance, and became a producer for Vanderbilt Television. Her diverse talents shone through as she also worked as a student field reporter covering the Southeastern Conference for the ESPNU sports channel.
Megan's performances continued to dazzle audiences, and at the age of 20, she even appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She was a force to be reckoned with, competing on America's Got Talent, and making it to the Vegas round. She embraced every opportunity to showcase her unique talents, even when faced with temporary setbacks.
The Transition to Finance
Megan's journey at Vanderbilt took an interesting turn when she graduated with honors in 2014. She immediately entered the MS Finance program at the Owen School and found herself increasingly interested in real estate investments. She secured an internship at Charles Hawkins Co., a commercial real estate firm in Nashville, which marked her first foray into the world of real estate finance.
This step into the financial sector proved to be a pivotal one in her career. She developed a keen understanding of real estate investments and underwriting, skills that would serve her well in the years to come. She demonstrated remarkable versatility by working on various types of properties across the country.
Love and Family
During this time, Megan met the love of her life, Dr. Wesley Peace, her college sweetheart, at the Miss Black and Gold pageant, a scholarship competition hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Wesley was a student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville at the time. Their love story continued to unfold, leading to their marriage.
As Wesley embarked on his medical residency journey, Megan's career followed suit. In search of a job that would align with Wesley's medical residency location, they moved to San Antonio, Texas. Megan's perseverance paid off, as she landed a position at USAA Real Estate, where she honed her skills in acquisitions. The couple, now a family of three, welcomed their first child in 2018.
A Journey to Sesame Street
Despite her busy schedule, Megan always found a way to bring her diverse talents together. In 2019, she embarked on a remarkable collaboration with the University of Cincinnati and PBS. Together, they developed $martPath, a series of videos using puppetry to teach elementary school children about finance. Megan's work on this project earned her two Emmy awards for Best Composition and Best Children's Short.
However, the pinnacle of Megan's puppetry career came when she auditioned for Sesame Street. In 2017, she submitted her audition tape, and in 2020, during the early months of the pandemic, she received an email from Matt Vogel, the show's puppet captain. The offer was an opportunity of a lifetime, but Megan had no idea just how historic it would be.
Megan's talent for ventriloquism and her ability to connect with audiences proved to be the perfect fit for Sesame Street. She was selected to play the Muppet character Gabrielle, making her the first Black female puppeteer to work on the iconic children's show. The news came as a pleasant surprise for Megan, who was unaware of the milestone until after she had made history. Her role as Gabrielle was the realization of a lifelong dream, and she described walking onto the Sesame Street set as "walking into a fantasy."
Balancing Act
Now a mother of two young sons, Leo and Tyson, and balancing a bustling career with her family life, Megan Piphus Peace exemplifies the essence of dedication and resilience. Her journey from a shy young girl with a puppet to a groundbreaking puppeteer on Sesame Street is nothing short of remarkable.
Her time at Vanderbilt University not only equipped her with academic knowledge but also instilled in her the ability to balance diverse experiences and navigate through life's challenges. Megan Piphus Peace's story is one of pursuing one's passions, breaking barriers, and making a mark in the world of entertainment and education. Her talents, both in finance and puppetry, continue to inspire, proving that with determination and dedication, one can achieve the seemingly impossible.
Megan Piphus Peace's Social Media Accounts & Website Link:
TikTok Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@meganpiphus?_t=8gb7oZxfe1u&_r=1
Youtube Channel Link: https://youtube.com/@MeganPiphus?si=ZIe-SgXYEkkGOuCj
Instagram Link: https://instagram.com/meganpiphus?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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