Cynthia Basinet is an American-born actress, critically acclaimed singer and humanitarian. Cynthia is best known for her iconic version of Santa Baby, which is mistakenly attributed to Marilyn Monroe and can be found in the soundtrack, Party Monster. Always interested in social and environmental issues, the former model was nominated for a shared Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Recently she recorded The Christmas Song with Lee Musiker (Tony Bennett's pianist) as a followup to their Cry Me a River collaboration , which can be found on iTunes and Amazon. Cynthia has also appeared in over 100+ TV, film and commercials including the upcoming documentary, American Gold with Isaac Mizrahi, Judy Collins and YoYo Ma, narrated by Edward Burns.

More information: www.cynthiabasinet.com

Sinem Saniye

Sinem Saniye (pronounced SEE-nem SAH-nee-yeh), is an award-winning songwriter, singer, guitar player and music lover. Sinem is an ancient Turkish word meaning deep from within my heart. As her name implies, Sinem writes and delivers her music in this very manner. Every song and lyric in her debut album, When I Don't Sleep.. comes from the most honest and passionate place in her heart.

Sinem has been featured in magazines like TimeOUT NY, Global Rhythm Magazine, The VillageVoice, and The Los Angeles Times. She has also been featured in television programs across the US including Indi Music TV, Music Mix USA, Swept Away TV, The Rhythms of NY, The Directors Chair, Metro Unplugged in Los Angeles, and many more. Sinem's music can be heard on Delta Airlines' flights, Whole Foods, Williams Sonoma, Fairview Hotels, and retailers and restaurants across the world. Sinem’s music videos are in high rotation on MTV in Europe.

More information: www.sinem.net

Twenty-four year old Nini Shermadini studied classical vocals and classical piano for over a decade; participating and placing in competitions around Europe throughout her youth. Her latest appearance was a 2nd place showing in Greece’s ‘X’ Factor. Nini is currently a student at Shota Rustaveli Theater and Film Georgian State University majoring in Drama Artistry.

Veronica Iovan is a gifted lyric soprano pursuing her dream of becoming a successful opera singer. She has been enchanted with being on stage and performing for most of her life. At age 6 Ms. Iovan started singing on stage and she started singing opera at age 14. By the time she was 15, she was a full time member of a professional philharmonic chorus, and soon after she was landing solos in concerts and recitals. Ms. Iovan has performed throughout Europe in many languages. She holds bachelors and masters degrees from the National University of Music, Bucharest, and has been recognized by numerous prestigious awards and honors. She is also an accomplished ballet dancer. Her deep commitment and love of her craft shines through in her stunning performances.

Laura Korpa has been singing and playing piano since the age of 7, and composing since age 9. Music is the passion of her life. Since her arrival in the USA a year ago from her native Latvia, Ms. Korpa has kept a busy performance schedule appearing at a number of New York City restaurants and events. A talented up-and-coming pianist, singer and composer , Ms. Korpa sings in English, Latvian, Russian and Greek. She recently recorded her debut CD entitled Sound of Life.

More information: laurakorpa@gmail.com

A native of Albania, award-winning cellist Gjilberta Gelaj studied at the Padova Conservatorio di Musica (Italy), the Music Conservatory at SUNY Purchase, Mannes College of Music (NY) and holds a Masters in Music Education from the Steinhardt School of Education at NYU. She has performed around the world with numerous orchestras and at Avery Fischer Hall, at Carnegie Hall as a member of the Passionata Trio, and has toured extensively in South Korea. Most recently Ms. Gelaj served as artistic director featured performer for Grandes Poemas De Amor, a book and CD compiling the greatest love poems of the last 100 years by poets from Latin America and Spain.

South Korea native Min Kyung Lee began her musical path as a young pianist, later turning to the cello. She has studied at Kyung-Sung University, SUNY Purchase, and holds a Masters of Arts from Montclair State University. Ms. Lee has performed with numerous orchestras including the Pusan Chamber Orchestra, Bloomfield Symphony, Montclair Chamber Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic,  Livingston Symphony, Plainfield Symphony, and the New Jersey Philharmonic. She has also participated in the Chautauqua Music Festival. 

A recipient of numerous prestigious music awards, Suji Kim is currently a member of the Montclair String Quartet, the Alacorde Piano Trio, and the Montclair Piano Trio in addition to the Monticelli Trio. She is a principal cellist of The Little Opera Company of NJ, North Jersey Concert Opera, The Baroque Orchestra of North Jersey, Plainfield Symphony and New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Kim holds degrees from Kei-Myung University (Korea) and Temple University, and studied at Montclair State University and the University of Missouri Kansas City. Ms. Kim is an adjunct professor at College of St. Elizabeth and on the faculty of the Judith G. Wharton Music School and Montclair Kimberly Academy.

More information: www.monticellitrio.com

Audiences are moved by Sarah Charles's range of talents, whether she is singing the Ave Maria a capella or barreling out Muddy Water accompanied by a jazz band. She has performed at numerous jazz festivals, at  the Majestic Theater in New York and on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. as well as singing the national anthem at major sporting events for teams including the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots. At Couture Fashion Week in September 2009, Ms. Charles performed her composition of Ballerina with lyrics by producer and fashion designer Andres Aquino.

Gjilberta Gelaj

A native of Albania, Gjilberta Gelaj appeared at Carnegie Hall as a member of the Passionata Trio in 2002 and 2003, and has given numerous solo, chamber music and orchestral performances throughout the New York and New Jersey area. In 2006, Gjilberta became a member of the New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra and has since performed frequently at Carnegie Hall and toured extensively in South Korea. She has performed in various master classes including with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Gjilberta is a cello/violin faculty member of the Abrons Art Center located in Manhattan and C Note Music School in Cortland Manor, NY. She has taught extensively in both her native country and the United States. Gjilberta is proud to be a Charter Member-Associate Artist of the Hudson Valley Piano Club.

Dalal is a dynamic Austrian singer and actress now building her career in the USA. Her recent single, Taste the Night, reached #5 on the Billboard Dance Club Chart, and the video of the song garnered over 1 million views on YouTube in its first two days after its premiere on AOL Music. Prior to her big break with Taste The Night, Dalal starred in various television shows and movies in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Korea, and was a visual effects artist for the Disney series Sonny With a Chance and the hit show 90210. Dalal has appeared on the cover of Inspired Women magazine, and recently performed at The Fender Music Lounge and NY Loves Film parties at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. She was featured as Artist of the Month on eatsleepbreathemusic.com. Upcoming projects including a lead role in the upcoming movie “Into The Darkness” alongside Kiowa Gordon from The Twilight Saga (New Moon and Eclipse), and Mischa Barton, as well as a role in the forthcoming horror flick OLD 37 with Brandi Cyrus. Dalal will be seen walking the runway at New Jersey Fashion Week, Fall 2011.

New York Children's Dance Theater, established by the founders of Nika Ballet Studio in 2010, is a one-of-kind dance company comprised of non-professional young dancers who are passionately devoted to the art of dance. NYCDT has presented numerous performances throughout the New York City area, exhilarating diverse audiences with a wide range of classical, neoclassical and contemporary works, under the artistic direction of its talented founder, teacher and choreographer trained in the best traditions of the Russian School of Ballet, Ms. Anna Fateeva-Kazantseva.

Nika Ballet Studio is an innovative dance studio, founded upon a passionate belief that a dance center should not just be a comfortable place for exercise where children can aspire to become dancers, but a liberating and inspiring space for connection of the body, mind and soul. Nika Ballet Studio offers a uniquely exciting environment for anyone willing to embrace the magic of the wonderful world of music and dance.

More information: www.nikaballetstudio.com

Girl Group meets Broadway in the most exciting act to burst out of New York City in years! The Broadway Dolls are the undisputed official girl group of Broadway, and they have gotten their act together, and are taking it on the road! A girl group with four full-length production shows and counting, The Dolls pull from a roster of the most fiercely talented women in the business. A cast of five performs the greatest music ever written, as you’ve never heard before, in non-stop song and dance concerts.

The Broadway Dolls hail directly from the Broadway companies of Mamma Mia, Chicago, Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, Rock of Ages, Memphis, Jersey Boys, Million Dollar Quartet, Rent, Hairspray, Annie Get Your Gun, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Grease, The Wedding Singer, A Chorus Line, Good Vibrations, Jekyll & Hyde, Spamalot, Wonderland and more.

No other entertainment company in the theatrical community boasts such an accomplished and diverse team of working actresses. The Broadway Dolls have performed in New York City at such venues as the Marriott Marquis, Cipriani Wallstreet, Cipriani 42nd street, the legendary Birdland Jazz Club, the Triad Theatre, The Pierre Hotel 5th Avenue, Midtown Theatre, B.B. Kings, and Dixon Place, among many other venues. Nationally, the Dolls have toured numerous performing arts centers to sold out crowds. The Broadway Dolls made their first international appearance at the Atlantis Resort in Dubai, headlining the World Travel Awards. Recent TV appearances include opening for the World Champion Boxing Match in Quebec (HBO), and headlining the National Vocal Championship Finals (ABC).

The Broadway Dolls are currently in preparation for the opening of their latest production, Tour de Fierce!, which premieres at the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival this fall. Combining elements of Broadway, Rock, Cabaret, and Performance art, this production is the most ambitious event by The Broadway Dolls to date.

More information: www.TheBroadwayDolls.com

Michael Raven’s small town Ohio roots helped fuse his sincerity with creativity, inspiring his unique lyrics and Power Pop/Rock sound. Combining infectious melodies with hooks and harmonies, Mr. Raven has grabbed the attention of industry greats such as multi-platinum producer Felton Pilate, honing his writing and vocal abilities.

Mr. Raven showed a talent for composing, singing, dancing and performing from the age of 7. After studying chemical engineering in college, he soon shifted his focus and became a jeweler’s apprentice and eventually a master jeweler himself. Setting diamonds and creating custom designs for clients brings out the other side of his creative soul. Celebrity clients include Brandy, Ray J, The Kardashians, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, and Brad Pitt, and his jewelry has been seen at the AMAs, Grammys, and  Academy Awards. 

Michael Raven’s live vocals, unique stage performances and showmanship dazzle audiences. His style of fun unpredictability has earned him a strong following and garnered radio play across the US, including his single Halloween in Hollywood being placed in the feature film In Search of Lovecraft.

Michael Raven resides in Los Angeles and is signed with Crush Records. Current projects include working with industry-proven multi-platinum producers such as Kevin Stratton, Erik Griggs, Elan Morrison and even Prince. He is working on a reality TV program produced by Triage Productions. His management is headed by D. Woods, who represented industry icon Rick James.

More information: www.ravenjewelers.com

Luciano Lamonarca is a pop-operatic tenor, philanthropist, producer and artistic director of many musical projects. Mr. Lamonarca creates, develops and launches these projects , primarily in support of charitable causes, which he crowns with his vocal performances. Recent projects include the tribute to the U.N.  Department of Peacekeeping Operations,  events supporting  the Columbia University Medical Center and  Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, and the tour “Lamonarca & Friends - United for Abruzzo”. Luciano Lamonarca is also President of the Puglia Center of America, an organization established to support charitable causes through the creation of artistic events. “My inspiration and satisfaction come from knowing that I contribute to the voice of someone being heard”, says Mr. Lamonarca.

Mr. Lamonarca has been interviewed by numerous TV networks such as Rai Uno, Rai Tre, Rai International, Tele Norba, Antenna Sud and TGS Sicily. He has been featured in such publications as the Daily News, Italian Times, Italian Tribune, Italia Magazine (in Russian), La Repubblica, America Oggi, Il Quotidiano.Net, Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno, La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno and Il Giornale di Sicilia. Mr. Lamonarca has performed under the patronage of prestigious national and international institutions such as the United Nations, European Union, the Italian Republic, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Ministry of Youth, the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, the Italian Commission of Unesco, the Italian Consulate of New York, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York, Regions of Puglia and Sicily. He has performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Africa at renowned venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the U.N. General Assembly in NY, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Great Hall of the National Palace of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Minsk, the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna, and the Politeama Garibaldi Theater of Palermo, among many others. In March 2009 he released his first CD entitled Mamma, dedicated to his mother. At a press conference in NY it was announced that part of the proceeds of the CD sales will go to the missionary project “City of Hope” in Zambia.

More information: www.lucianolamonarca.com

Kiana & Melia Mariano

The youngest dancers to perform on the Couture Fashion Week runway, Kiana and Melia were born in Orange County,  CA and are 12 and 10 years old respectively.  They’ve devoted most of their lives to dancing jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet and hip hop since they were 2 years old.  They began competing at the age of 4.  Kiana and Melia have been recognized by the dance community through numerous awards and 1^st place honors at national dance competitions in their individual age groups. 

Although Kiana dances various styles, she loves contemporary.  She has appeared in numerous commercials including a primary role for MetLife Insurance and KOHL’s.  She has also performed on TV shows, most recently with a special group of dancers on FOX’s hit show Mobbed,  and she was also a backup dancer at a Taylor Dane concert in Las Vegas.

Melia enjoys dancing lyrical, but jazz funk is her strong suit.  Melia also appeared on FOX’s Mobbed, and  will soon be seen in the popular video game Just Dance Kids 2 to be released in December 2011.   Melia also had a primary role in a national commercial called “Brighthouse”.  But her most memorable dance experience was dancing behind Patti LaBelle and Taylor Dane during their Las Vegas show.

Kiana and Melia have trained with Dance Precisions and Mather Dance Company.  They wish to thank their teachers, mentors, and choreographers Danielle Kenfield, Leslie Kenfield, Shannon Mather and a very special thank you to Molly Long.

More information: 2hapagirlz@att.net

A native of Stuttgart, Germany, Christine Reber is an accomplished singer who received her classical training in Freiburg, Germany, as well as in New York City. In addition to opera productions, sacred music, recitals and music/art festivals in the USA as well as in her home country, the soprano has performed in Switzerland, France, Great Britain, Italy and Canada, where she has received widespread praise and as a  fresh, exciting presence on the international vocal scene. Ms. Reber was awarded the 2005 Achievement Award for Artistic Excellence from the New York German Forum, and participated in the 2006 memorial service for the victims of 9/11 at St. Paul’s Church Manhattan that was broadcast on German, Swiss and Austrian national television. For 2011/ 2012 she is preparing appearances in the United Arab Emirates and China. She is also working on a CD featuring the songs of Bruno Droste,  a popular East German composer and conductor, much of whose music was destroyed by the DDR after his defect to the West.

More information: www.ChristineReber.com

British born violinist Jane Hunt, also known as the "Violin Venus", is quickly becoming one of the most talked about violinists in both the UK and USA. Making her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2007 and having appeared as a soloist at Radio City Music Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Cannes Film Festival and Sir Elton John's Lifeball Concert, the Violin Venus captivates audiences wherever she performs. Combining the beauty and refinement of classical music with the energy of folk and jazz, Ms. Hunt is an eclectic high-energy performer. She recently appeared at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament and at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall along with such notables as Nicole Kidman and Michele Obama. She also appears regularly with the 3 Irish Sopranos and famed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan.

More information: www.ViolinVenus.com

Two of the youngest performers at Couture Fashion Week at only 14 and 16 years of age, Madeline and Ryan are a talented, world-traveled, recently paired dance  couple. They dance in amateur youth 10 dance and represent the USA at nationals and international competitions.  They devote their time and passion to dance with their lives revolving around practicing with their world renowned coaches, competing and performing.  They also excel academically and are honor roll students.  In 2012 they will compete on the world stage in Blackpool, England. 

Born in the USA of Polish parents, Madeline started dancing ballet at age 6 at the Rock School in Philadelphia, PA and has performed numerous times at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.  At age 9 her mother introduced her to ballroom dancing and since then she has been enchanted with this style of dance.  Madeline has also done fashion modeling. 

Also born in the USA of Ukrainian and Irish-American parents, Ryan began dancing at age 7. In addition to ballroom, he continues to dance ballet at the Manhattan Youth Ballet School, where he earned a full scholarship.  He has also appeared at the New York City Center Dance as well as having done theater and film.

More information: wandatravels@comcast.net

Cristina Fontanelli , the “voice of Domino’s Pizza” on the new national radio commercial,  is well-known through her recordings, her appearances on TV, radio, in concert, nightclubs, and opera, and through her recent acting debut on network television.  Her beautiful soprano voice has taken her to the White House as part of President Clinton’s holiday celebration and in 2005 she was invited to open the ceremonies at the Stars & Stripes Inaugural Ball for President George W. Bush.  2010 appearances included the prestigious Hamptons Classic Horse Show, singing the National Anthem on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. for the testimony by fashion-icon Giorgio Gucci, an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel TV program, her 4^th-annual appearance at Feinsteins at the Regency Hotel, singing Happy Birthday to Mickey Rooney’s for his 90^th birthday celebration at Feinsteins (Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, Tony Bennett, et al in attendance), a gala at the Pierre Hotel in NY City for Gucci, and her 7^th-Annual “Christmas in Italy” concert at Lincoln Center.  She is the voice of  “Nonna” on beloved TV Chef Lidia Bastianich’s 2010 PBS Christmas special (300+ PBS outlets across the U.S.) and closed the year with an interview/performance/co-hosting on CBS Weekend New York with 15,000,000 viewers.  Ms. Fontanelli i has been named one of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts 100 most notable alumni (along with Robert Redford, Danny DeVito, Edward G. Robinson, etc.).

She has appeared with the numerous opera companies and prestigious orchestras worldwide, and appears annually at the world-famous Feinstein’s at the Regency Hotel in NYC.  Recent appearances include the Hilton in Atlantic City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral NYC, a 9/11 memorial concert at Rockefeller Center with the NYPD Concert Band (televised on CNN, Fox National and NY Channels 5, 7 and 9) and the Columbus Day Parade on 5^th Avenue NYC. She was signed by platinum-record winning producer to record Cristina Fontanelli Sings Great Italian Favorites.  She is the recipient of  numerous awards. Ms. Fontanelli sings and entertains in 8 languages.

More information:  www.cristinafontanelli.com or prinquiries@cristinafontanelli.com

Sweet Lew is a musician who utilizes the saxophone’s healing tones to uplift, inspire, promote peace and harmony and contribute to the general wellness of Planet Earth. Music is a known power to restore balance, bring about positive change and stimulate deep ruminations in the mind. Sweet Lew is dedicated to this mission.

Whether intimately losing herself in playing guitar or singing under the lights before an audience, Dani Tersini’s performance exudes emotional passion, raw intensity and sexuality. Ms. Tersini left behind the relatively sheltered life of a Yorkshire village in England to make the gigantic and courageous leap to New York which she now considers ‘home’ and where she continues to develop and hone her craft and unique style. Drawing inspiration from varied musical influences and experiences that she has encountered along her personal journey of discovery, Ms. Tersini expresses an eclectic blend of sounds reflecting the many facets of emotion stirring within. Through musical theatre, talent contests and many gigs, she continues to grow musically and professionally, expressing  her own individuality through her music and performance.

More information: http://www.myspace.com/dani_tersini

William Camilleri

A native of London, England, Wlliam Camilleri has been called a "music phenomenon. He showed exceptional talent for the piano, drums, violin and recorder starting at age 3.  In his teens, Mr. Camilleri moved to Toronto, Canada where he studied with world-famous American drummer Peter Magadini. Upon moving back to London he went on to play with a number of world-renowned artists including Tina Turner on her hit single Let's Stay Together.

Finding that his style did not fit with traditional music groups, Mr. Camilleri started his own Revival Studios where he composed his own special brand of music. Soon after he was discovered by Prof. Pirkilbauer from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria where he was commissioned to compose and record his first CD. A year later Mr. Camilleri was signed to Sony Classical in New York by Grammy-award winning producer Prof. Dr. Steven Paul, Head of A&R at the record label, who has described Mr. Camilleri's compositions as "monumental." Soon after, he signed as a composer with Marsh, Best & Associates in Hollywood. He has composed music for many top films.

Mr. Camilleri has composed over forty CDs of music. He is highly gifted  composing all his music with ease and without any changes, a method he calls "direct composition."  He has performed at Lincoln Center and at the event "Cover Girls for Change" in New York City ." He was recently approached by two major record labels and is working on a five-CD release for early 2011.  Most recently, Mr. Camilleri was appointed Head of Music for First Impressions Films Ltd., London.

More information:  www.filmworks-online.com

Multi-talented Ukrainian-born Era Chorna is undoubtedly one of Toronto's best. She has traveled all over the world, and her music shows it. She is an award-winning singer, ballet dancer, and choreographer, as well as a model. Ms. Chorna's deep, rich, yet soothing voice reflects clear jazz and operatic influences, yet rises beyond  her operatic background. Ms. Chorna trained extensively in ballet at some of Europe's most prestigious ballet studios, including the Ukrainian Ballet Academy and the Vienna Ballet Conservatory. She has performed and competed before many international audiences in such countries as France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, the USA,  and Canada, as well as he native Ukraine.

More information: www.musicandera.com

An accomplished singer/songwriter who has been performing most of her life, Kaya's astonishing vocal range and heartfelt emotional impact have made her a rising star, whether she is performing pop or classical music.

Kaya studied classical voice, theory and piano at the Victoria, Royal and Trinity Schools of Music in London. In 2000, she won third place in the Malta Song for Europe, one of the most competitive song contests in the world. She went on to perform across Europe in countries such as Lithuania, Romania, Italy, Poland, Germany, and Spain among others.

Kaya founded an international singing school in her native Malta with a current enrollment of 87 students. The choir which she directs is  much in demand. In television, Kaya appeared on a popular musical program in Malta for 2 years and served as producer for Kidz TV, featuring her students.

She was recently selected by top Hollywood film composer William Camilleri (Braveheart, Silence of the Lambs, more) to perform on his latest album Timeless, soon to be released worldwide on Dux Records.

Angeles Dominguez

Angeles Dominguez was born on Grand Canary Island, Spain. She has been an accomplished songwriter for more than a decade composing music and lyrics for many well-known artists in her native country. Her compositions cover a wide array of musical styles, and she has also composed songs for commercials and other events. In 2009 Ms. Dominguez launched her own singing career with the release of “Dejame” which quickly reached the top of the music charts.  See her latest video:  on YouTube.com

More information: www.AngelesDominguez.com

Singer Lara Janine is also an accomplished songwriter, pianist and violinist. Her second album, It's My Time, was recently released as a follow up to her self-titled debut album.  She was a regular performer of the national anthem for the Stanley Cup champions The Anaheim Ducks, was named Top Female Vocalist by the California Thespian Festival, has been a Featured Artist along with Britney Spears and Destiny's Child on Trollz.com, and was nominated three years in a row by the Orange County Music Awards, including Best Alternative Artist and Best Female Artist. Lara was awarded Top Female Vocalist in Pop & Overall by Garageband.com. Her songs have been featured in TV, films, and compilations, including  Access Hollywood, Degrassi, and How Do I Look?

Ms. Janine has done numerous national Applebees commercials, films, voiceover work for Yu-Gi-Oh! cartoons, singing commercials for Mattel as well as the singing voice of the Princess Anneliese Barbie Doll and singing voice of Melody in the film Barbie and the Diamond Castle.  No stranger to performing, Lara's stage credits include Vices: A Love Story (world premiere), Happy Embalmer (NYMF), Rock of Ages (Off-Broadway), Wicked-Japan (Elphaba), Aladdin (Jasmine), and Dvorak in America (Otilie).  She is also an American Belle, having performed in Guam and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor Gala.

More information:  www.LaraJanine.com

Black Liner

With a uniqueness, sound and performance ability that is unmatched, Black Liner is set to explode onto the top 40 mainstream scene. Black Liner consists of California native Lara Janine (violin), New Yorker Jeana Grillo (keyboards) and Tennessee-born Angel Picard-Ami (electric guitar). Each of these talented singer/songwriter/musicians brings their own style and personal experience to every song, but nevertheless Black Liner is a cohesive group. Their eclectic sound is born when you bring together Lara's pop/dance/r&b background along with Jeana's pop and alternative rock influences and Angel's Heavy Metal roots. Black Liner is the definition of a triple threat.

Ashley C. Williams, is best known for her starring role in the controversial cult horror film The Human Centipede. The award-winning film is distributed by IFC  and  Bounty Films.

Ms. Williams has an extensive background in dramatic and musical theater and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City where she received the Charles Jehlinger Award for Best Actress (the Academy's highest honor). She has toured the New York and New England areas for the last five years with theater companies including La Mama E.T.C., the Theater Engagement & Action Project, the Nitestar Program and the United Nations Y-Peer Project. In 2008 Ms. Williams served as guest director and political theater trainer for the Bulgaria U.N. Y-Peer International Theater in Education Trainings.

Ms. Williams is co-founder and vice-president of Mind The Art Entertainment, a NYC-based arts and entertainment company where she has produced and starred in new works of varying art forms in such venues as The New York International Fringe Festival and the Cherry Lane Theaters.  She recently played Juliet in a new revolutionary version of Romeo and Juliet at La MaMa E.T.C. under the direction of the renowned Dario D’Ambrosi, and she teamed up with him and the La MaMa theater once more in October 2010 to star in his new musical Bong Bong Bong against the Wall, Ting Ting Ting in our Heads. The show has been picked up to go to Rome and Milan in June  2011. 

More information: www.ashleycwilliams.org

After many years of traveling the globe, Cecilia Marta returned to New York City with a vision she had many years ago.  To bring together a diverse and extraordinary group of dancers that would create the Cecilia Marta Dance Company. The objective was to speak through the language of dance, about the ritualistic rhythms and magical experiences she encountered through out her life, and as a child growing up in Panama.

CMDC is a multicultural dance company, committed to celebrating diversity and unity by creating works that inspire collaborations with other artists and art forms. Ms. Marta is the Founder and Artistic Director/ Choreographer of the Cecilia Marta Dance Company, a Casting Partner to Cirque du Soleil, and an esteemed dance educator. She has worked with top name performers around the globe, and dancers she has trained have appeared in major motion pictures and on Broadway stages.

Possessing a distinctive breadth, CMDC’s repertory incorporates elements which are reflective of Ms. Marta’s life and heritage, as well as her intimate and lengthy acquaintance with many forms and styles of dance.

More information: www.ceciliamartadance.org

Early in her performing career, Cecilia moved to Los Angeles to study dance with Alex Magno, one of the choreography gurus of that era.   She went on to study voice with the lyrical singer and teacher Vivian Hernandez, who has had played an important role in her life. Cecilia has sung  important roles in various theatrical productions with such performers as as Massimo Ranieri and Patroni Griffi. In 1994, Cecilia signed a record deal with BMG Records, and her CD single “BLA BLA”, from the album “Alta Tensione” reached the top of the Italian music charts. She has opened for  one of the biggest stars in the music industry, Mr. Barry White. In 2005 Cecilia participated in the Latin American Music Festival in Mexico City where she was named "Best Italian Artist" outside  Italy. She has played leading roles in  “Complexo”, “Brazil 5000” and “Soy Asì”, but her real soul and inspirations are expressed through her latest album “Papillon”, a soft Latin/ Bossa/ Jazz project, which showcases her inner artistic journey, directed by Alfredo Paixao and Gianni Herrera.

Award-winning ballroom dancers David and Ting Ting met during their studies at Yale University. They have danced together for five years in competition and performances while training with world champions Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova. They believe that all people possess an inherent capacity for the beautiful, and dance is just one medium through which to explore and share the limits and non-limits of that capacity.

Davis was born in Beijing, China, and arrived in the United States at the age of three.  His mother was fascinated by dance but never had the privilege to pursue it in her youth.  She enrolled him in his first ballet class when he was four.  Discomforted at being the only boy in class and wishing to play baseball instead, he resisted at first.  His teachers encouraged him to continue, and over time his passion for dance grew.  Davis is now a nationally ranked competitor in International Style Latin Dancesport.

Ting Ting first encountered ballroom dance when she stepped into a show by chance.  She had focused on academics throughout her early life and was intrigued by this novel world.  Ballroom is specifically designed to display the artistry and sensuality only created between a man and woman dancing together.  This attracted Ting Ting most.  Her seven year pursuit of Latin Dancesport has led her to the highest ranks of the U.S. Northeast competitive leagues and brought into her life a sense of profound liberation.

Pianist Donna Weng Friedman has performed as a soloist with many world-class symphony orchestras throughout China, South America, Europe and the United States. Her performing credits include recitals at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Caramoor Music Festival, Symphony Hall in Shanghai, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida, Le Jeu de Paume in Fontainebleau, France and Tillett Gardens in St. Thomas, USVI.  An American of Chinese heritage, Ms. Weng Friedman has performed as guest artist with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble at Caramoor, Bargemusic, Weill Recital Hall, and Merkin Concert Hall, and has collaborated with clarinetist David Shifrin, violinist Mark Peskanov, violist Paul Neubauer, and cellist Carter Brey. She has conducted master classes at the Beijing and Shanghai Conservatories and has been on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music Preparatory Division since 1989.  A winner of numerous prestigious piano competitions and awards, Ms. Weng Friedman is the music supervisor and pianist for the award-winning film documentaries Frames of Life,  Living Liberty and Morris Engel: The Independent. She will perform in and preside as the Artistic Director for the Music, Art and Technology festival to take place in Shanghai, China during the Shanghai Expo 2010. She  was recently named Artistic Director of the Full Moon Art Center Concert Series in the Hamptons, New York.

A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Ms. Skaya began studying dance at  age 9 while attending the elite Vaganova Ballet Academy and went on to perform in many theatrical productions, win numerous beauty pageants and competitions and make the talk show circuit. She opened the Venice Ball in Moscow where she met her soon-to-be husband, and at age 18 was crowned Mrs. World 2006. Soon after, Ms. Skaya moved to the United States and began to pursue a film career. She has appeared in Edgar Allan Poe's Ligeia directed by Michael Staininger and Shadows in Paradise with Armand Assante and Tom Sizemore.

A native of Chihauhua, Mexico, tenor Eduardo Herrera earned his bachelors degree in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and his bachelors of business administration from ITESM, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He has developed a successful career mainly as concert soloist performing a diverse repertoire of opera, musical theater and Mexican music. Recently he has worked in a blend of classical and pop ("ClassPop") releasing two CDs:  This is the Moment (2004) and  Son of the Planet (2008).  For more than 12 years he has sung in fundraising events to support  the Center of Study for the Blind in Chihuahua, as well as other institutions. Mr. Herrera has performed in numerous  operas  in New York City, Mexico City, Cambridge, Massachusetts and other cities, including  Dido and Aeneas, Seven Deadly Sins, La Traviata, Il Pagliacci and more. In 2000 he participated in the recording of the CD Songs of Life to promote values for young people. In 2004 he was tenor soloist in a gala concert at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico to celebrate UNICEF's 50th anniversary. In 2005 he sang at the first International Music Festival in Chihuahua, and in 2006 he was part of the cast of the musical play The Art of the Seducer at the International Theatre Festival in Ecuador. In 2007 and 2008  he collaborated with soprano Leticia Zepeda in a duet project performing throughout Mexico. He recently appeared as Javier in the zarzuela Luisa Fernandez with the Chihuahua Philharmonic and in the flamenco show Hear Me With Your Eyes in New York City.

The  sultry teenage pop-rock princess, whose sound has been described as a blend of Rihanna and Lady Gaga, is being hailed as the more conservative version of the latter talent with all the glitz and the glamour, but a sound unmistakably all her own. Hailing from Philadelphia, the talented singer, songwriter, and pianist is making waves in the entertainment world with the likes of 50 Cent publicly singing her praises, and a fanbase of entertainment elite.  No one has had this much cross-over appeal since the rapper Eminem. Material Girl is currently working on her first album release.

...is a singer whose “voice and artistry harken back to a time gone by.” (New York Times)  The sheer beauty of his voice, his virtuoso technique, stratospheric  range and unique command of a variety of musical styles from operatic classics to American musical theater, as well as popular and Irish favorites have brought him international engagements as an operatic, theatrical and  concert soloist.  He has performed in some of the great venues of the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Benedum Center, Heinz Hall, Il Teatro Bellini and La Basilica San Marco in countries such as Brazil, Norway, England, France, Italy and Israel as well as regionally throughout the United States.  His performances pay homage to the tenors of the “golden age” including Tito Schipa, John McCormack, Alfredo Kraus, Kenny Baker and Dennis Day with a modern sensibility akin to Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli resulting in wide range audience appeal. 

Kimera

With her four-octave range and visionary approach to art, Kimera has intrigued and fascinated many. Millions have embraced her unique opera-pop fusion embodied in various albums starting with "The Lost Opera", which sold over 10 million copies, followed by “Opera Express” and seven additional albums.

A native of Korea, Kimera has loved singing ever since she can remember. From the age of twelve, she began singing classical music in church choirs, as well as in the Korean National Metropolitan Choir. After earning a B.A. in French Literature from Sung Sin University in Seoul, she went on to pursue post-graduate studies at the Sorbonne in Paris, and began to train in opera at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. After years of arduous vocal studies, she received a Superior Diploma in Lyrical Art with a unanimous vote, and with congratulations from the jury. 

In 1984 Kimera released the controversial classic-pop fusion recording, “The Lost Opera”, with the London Symphony Orchestra. Representing a divergence from her previous classical opera path, the album promptly climbed the British music charts and went on to gather momentum in France, South Africa, South America, Korea, and many more countries across the globe. Kimera, the blazing rebel of opera, blended two genres from opposite ends of the musical spectrum to create a new style of music utilizing traditional operatic arias and a modern rhythmic pop beat. She called it "Popera" or "Opera Rock." While it was well received by the public, she endured a great amount of criticism from classical purists who believed she had vulgarized opera. As one critic put it, “Mozart would turn over in his grave if he heard this.” Criticism, however, did little to slow her down. She was happy to popularize opera and make it more accessible to kids, teens, and adults alike. Kimera's latest album is entitled “Opera Found."

Alexander Markov has been hailed as one of the most captivating musicians in the world today. Lord Yehudi Menuhin has written, "He is without doubt one of the most brilliant and musical of violinists: Alexander Markov will certainly leave his mark on the music-lovers of the world and in the annals of the violin virtuosi of our day." 

The Gold Medal winner at the Paganini International Violin Competition, Mr. Markov has appeared with some of the world's greatest orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, l'Orchestre de Paris, the Montreal Symphony, the BBC and Detroit Symphonies as well as the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Concerto highlights include performances with such celebrated conductors as Lorin Maazel, Charles Dutoit, John Nelson, Neeme Jarvi, Sir Neville Marriner, Ivan Fischer and Franz Welser-Most.

Alexander Markov has established a reputation second-to-none in the 19th-century virtuoso repertoire. His recent Warner DVD release of Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin caused a sensation, and he remains one of the very few violinists who program the entire set in a single recital.

Alexander Markov was born in Moscow and studied violin with his father, concert violinist Albert Markov. By the time he was eight years old he was already appearing as a soloist with orchestras and performing double concertos with his father. Markov emigrated to the U.S. with his parents and  now resides in New York City. More information: www.AlexanderMarkov.com

Iyanya

Winner of the popular West African program MTN Project Fame 2008, Iyanya recently released his first album entitled "Desire" which features his hit song "Love Truly." Iyanya is a young rising star in his native Nigeria as well as throughout Africa and beyond.

These skilled aerialists and acrobats have performed in over 70 countries; for millions live, and millions more through their appearances on most major television networks.  In addition to their traditional stage performances, they have shared laughter, silliness, and the spectacle of circus arts at hospitals, orphanages, and veteran’s homes.  Since their debut, they have become New York City's signature aerialists, having performed in Times Square,  South Street Seaport, and the Jacob Javits Center.  The performers have created shows for MACY’s, MAXIM, BUD-LIGHT, HX, NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES and notable charities such as the USO, the HRC, the CHILDREN’S VILLAGE, and CHAI LIFE, and they have appeared with such performers as Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg and Patti Labelle.

Chinese-born guzhen (Chinese zither) performer Xianzi Ai, also known as the "Fairy" is a graduate of the famous performing arts school in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province.  Ms. Ai has received a number of awards including the gold award in the July 2007 China Folk Instrument Solo Competition and third place in the 2005 Chinese Eastern Zither Competition. The guzhen is a traditional Chinese musical instrument and parent instrument to the Japanese koto, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum, and the Vietnamese đàn tranh.

New Tang Dynasty TV Lion Dance Group

The Lion Dance (pronounced Wu-Shi) is an important tradition in China. During the dance, often accompanied by gongs, drums and firecrackers, performers mimic a lion’s movements from inside an elaborate and colorful costume. Often part of festivities like Chinese New Year, restaurant openings, and weddings, the lion dance is believed to bring luck and happiness if well-performed. It is has been featured in major Chinese motion pictures including the Once Upon a Time in China series and the Shaolin Temple movies starring Jet Li.

Although they are not native to China, lions arrived there via the famous Silk Road. Rulers in present day Iran and Afghanistan sent lions to Chinese emperors as gifts in order to secure trade rights with Silk Road merchants. The lion dance dates back to the Han Dynasty (205 B.C. to 220 A.D) and reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty (716-907 A.D.) when it was especially performed during religious festivals. Variations on the lion dance can also be found in Korea and Taiwan.

April Zhu is a gifted and accomplished player of the pipa. The pipa is a plucked Chinese string instrument. Sometimes called the Chinese lute, the instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body. It has been played for nearly two thousand years in China, and belongs to the plucked category of instruments. Several related instruments in East and Southeast Asia are derived from the pipa; these include the Japanese biwa, the Vietnamese đàn tỳ bà, and the Korean bipa.

Congolese Dance Troupe

Prisca Ouya, Alexis Doster-Pennerman, Coreen Robledo, Aida Issaka

Choreographer and lead dancer Prisca Ouya trained in traditional Congolese dances with her late uncle Malonga Casquelourd. She is a member of Ellen Stewart's Great Jones Company, the resident theater company at LaMaMa Theater. These dynamic and powerful dances originated in the Kongo Empire, what is today Angola, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Carolina Catalan Carabia

An accomplished dancer, Carolina Catalan Carabia is a native of Spain and a flamenco devotee. The distinctive Spanish art form comes to life in her riveting performances.

The performances by the six talented dancers of the Boston-based Sabor Masacote Dance Company are  predominantly salsa. Most of the dancers have training in diverse disciplines, such as ballet, modern, and jazz. The music, dance and multimedia ensemble performs frequently throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Asia.

A native of Liverpool, England, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Kenny Cunningham is an accomplished performer who has been delighting audiences for over 25 years. His musical influences and inspirations include Simon & Garfunkel and his fellow Liverpudlians, The Beatles. Says Kenny: "I have always been amazed with the process of song writing.  It is something that I've never had to work at.  Over the years thoughts/music just came out... I take no responsibility for what you may hear, blame some cosmic miscreant somewhere."

Photo courtesy of Kenny Cunningham

Corina and Cornelia Brouder

These talented sisters are singer harpists who play classical, contemporary and traditional music. Venues have included the White House, Disney, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall to name a few. Corina recently appeared on the TV program America's Got Talent and the sisters have a song on the Sex & the City in syndication commercial and have been heard on the in-flight audio of Continental Airlines and Aer Lingus. The sisters are part of the family band, the Spirits of Gilbride.