‘Rita’s Song’, from Michael A. Levine and Rafaela “Rita” Crevoshay is a celebration about Rita’s transition from male to female at the age of 76, and a moving encouragement for us all to live our true lives.
Rafaela “Rita” Crevoshay has written what appears on the surface to be a great book about gardening. But dig below the surface, and you’ll realise that this tome from a lifelong horticulturist is so much more. ‘Reimagining Your Garden: Visions of Transformation’ sees Rita share her experience and knowledge – starting with her joining the back-to-the-land movement as a novice gardener in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, all the way through her distinguished career and her Transformational Gardening concept. While Rita may have set out to share her experience and knowledge of organic and regenerative gardening, became an illumination of the critical importance of evolutionary diversity, as seen through the lens of Rita’s own lived experience.
While Rita’s book was taking shape, her cousin, Michael A. Levine, an established composer and producer, surprised her with a song he’d written. Rita’s transition, from male to female at the age of 76. wasn’t just a simple fact of her life, but instead was now something to celebrate, and to encourage others who’ve spent their lifetimes unsure about whether or not to embrace their true selves. Rita’s award-winning story has become central to the first step in a movement to champion biodiversity, while lighting the way for 50 million home gardeners, and all those ready to grow alongside them.
When Rita chose to recover from surgery in her cousin’s Los Angeles home, she had no idea she would be propelled into a wave of recognition and support that only continues to grow. ‘Rita’s Song’, written and produced by Michael and with vocals from Angelica Innocente, and saxophone by Michael’s brother, Sam, is a vivid ballad about her transition, from the struggles of living seventy-six years in “borrowed skin”, to fully embracing who she’s “meant to be”. With quiet, poignant, and sensitive piano chords, as well as Sam’s jazz-laden sax vibes, and Angelica’s soaring vocals, the song captures that sensation of not being able to recognise oneself in the mirror, and of struggling through each day while doubts consume every waking moment.
Rita had kept her truth buried for nearly her entire life, but when it became too much to ignore, she took that first courageous step, and accepted the name that rang the truest in her heart. As Angelica sings, “No more hiding, no more shame, Rafaela Amrita, that’s my name”, and Rita knew in that moment that there was no going back. Suddenly in that moment she was able to finally remove the mask she’d been living behind, and reveal herself heart, body, mind, and soul, as Rita.
On hearing the empowering anthem, with Rita’s courage and confidence, seeping into every note, her friends and family realised the song had the power to reach many more people – all around the world – who were still hesitating to embrace their true identity. In the hands of director Marcelle Abela, the music video for ‘Rita’s Song’ brings in elements from Rita’s real life and personality – the places she’s lived, and the gardens she’s cultivated – showing the world that it’s never too late to follow your heart.
In the clip we watch Rita move through black-and-white phases of her life. Starting out disheartened, reserved, and weighed down by a truth she could not yet speak, it’s only when calls herself by her own name, and encourages others to do the same, that her world is filled with colour and joy. Not long after the video wrapped, Rita and her team were invited to the Golden State Film Festival, where it was honored with the Grand Prize for Music Video. As she stepped onto the stage to accept the award, her dream of making a meaningful impact on the world became a reality: and it’s only the start.
Watch the music video for ‘Rita’s Song’ below, and find out more about Michael A. Levine and Rafaela “Rita” Crevoshay on Instagram.
