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."
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.
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.
Awarded a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1987, Mr. Markov made his New York debut recital at Carnegie Hall, has appeared with Christoph Eschenbach conducting the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall and has performed with other celebrated orchestras including the Houston, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Jerusalem orchestras. In addition, Mr. Markov has recorded five CDs for the Erato/Warner Classics and was featured in the widely acclaimed film The Art of Violin. He has also appeared in concert with such luminaries as Martha Argerich.
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.
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 2008 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No stranger to performing, Lara has been seen in the roles of Otilie in Dvorak in America (Los Angeles), Jasmine in Aladdin the Musical, and Elphaba in Wicked (Japan). She regularly performs the national anthem for the Stanley Cup champions The Anaheim Ducks and is the voice of the singing Barbie doll "Princess Anneliese." She was named Top Female Vocalist by the California Thespian Festival, and 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 on programs such as Access Hollywood, Degrassi, and How Do I Look?
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.
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.
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
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.