​CHRISTOPHER GARCIA
North and South India percussion & breath instruments of Mesoamerica 

​Christopher Garcia is a "native" of (East) Los Angeles. "A musical polyglot" with concerts in 28 countries and on 5 continents. Some know of his work as either a drummer/marimbist or a percussionist of the north or south Indian percussion, or a multi-instrumentalist who also plays breath, percussion, and string instruments of Mesoamerica, or as a composer of all of the above in the following musical circles: avant-garde classical, chamber and symphonic music, the indigenous and folkloric music of Mesoamerica and Mexico, jazz, and rock. Christopher attributes his musical growth to his mentors John Bergamo, Dr. Truett Hollis, and Swapan Chaudhuri where he studied western music, north Indian tabla, south Indian kanjira, ghatam and western percussion, while attending East Los Angeles College and California Institute of the Arts on a full scholarship. As a composer he continues to receive commissions for indigenous instruments of Mexico/Mesoamerica, percussion of India with classical guitar, pedal harp, piano forte, sarode, sitar, and surbahar. He continues to be in demand ​as a multi-instrumentalist employing extended techniques ​using fingers, hands and sticking in a variety of jazz, rock and world music settings. In addition to providing coaching for percussion ensembles for both chamber and symphonic performances, Christopher is a featured soloist, and serves as a resource for composers about the mechanics of composing for and playing percussion. Christopher shares the beauty and the nature of music's resonance and silence with individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures, both in musical and non-musical settings.

​MALIK SOW
Master Senegal Percussion, composer, and choreographer

Master drummer, composer, and choreographer Elhadj Malik Sow, born in Dakar, Senegal, hails from the Fulani ethnic group of West Africa. Coming from a line of musicians and griots, Elhadj received training from his uncles until he was ten, and subsequently began a career in cultural exchange amongst the Jola, Bambara, Sosey, Serrer, Wolof, and others, becoming well versed in their folklore and customs. Elhadj has performed or taught traditional West African music since 1960. During his career, he has worked with the Ballet d’Afrique Noire, the National Ballet of Senegal, and Les Ballets Africains. Currently, he directs the Futa Toro West African Dance Ensemble, which tours extensively.

​SHOJI KAMEDA
Master Taiko Percussion

Shoji is a Grammy nominated musician, composer and producer. He started playing taiko at the age of 8 and has played continuously since. He was selected through a highly competitive process as an Asian Pacific Performance Exchange fellow, collaborating with master artists from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the USA. He was also selected as an Indonesian Arts Exchange fellow which sent him and three other master arts to central Java for three weeks to teach and perform. Collaborations with international artists have taken Shoji to Malaysia, French Guiana, Mongolia and Bali. He composed an original score for Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story, Audience Award winner for Best Documentary at the Slamdance Film Festival. He was featured in the music of the hit NBC TV show “Heroes” performed with Stevie Wonder at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and received a Grammy nomination with jazz fusion band Hiroshima for his work on their album Legacy. As a founding member of On Ensemble and the group’s primary creative force he produced On Ensemble’s critically acclaimed albums Dust and Sand, Ume in the Middle and Bizarre Heroes. In 2013 On Ensemble was invited to perform at the National Theater of Japan for their prestigious “Nihon no Taiko” series. Shoji is sought after by groups throughout the taiko world for workshops, masterclasses and compositions. His compositions for taiko are performed around the world and recently Shoji has partnered with Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten to create “kaDON” a new online venture that will provide high quality instruction and repertoire for taiko and fue.

​NADIA CALMET
Afro Peruvian Percussion and Folk Dance Artist

Nadia Calmet is a professional Peruvian Folk Dance Artist, specializing in Afro-Peruvian Dances. She has more than 25 years of experience participating in cultural exchanges with organizations in more than thirty countries as a cultural representative of Peru. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality with studies in Public Policies for Vulnerable Populations, as well as in Arts Therapy and Intercultural Education and Child Development. She also has a degree in Community Artist from CAL STATE University, Los Angeles. Nadia was a member of the Millennium Theater Group (Kimba Fá - Peru). She has worked as a choreographer and soloist for the legendary singer Eva Ayllon. In 2015 Nadia participated in the Peruvian delegation with the production "PERU: Pachamama" organized by the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Additionally, she engaged in cultural exchanges with organizations such as Conjunto Folklórico Nacional in Cuba, Familia Ayala in Puerto Rico. She is a script writer, choreographer, and artistic director of more than 10 Peruvian musicals in different cities such as: Lima, Seattle, Utah and Los Angeles. She is the main initiator of the “Afro-Peruvian Cultural Day” in Los Angeles, CA, a first for the city. She has given lectures at several universities in the United States, such as: Connecticut University, Purdue University, Indiana University, UCLA among others. She is also the founder and Artistic Director of the performing arts company the “Afro-Peruvian Experience” in Los Angeles which allows her to continue to vindicate, embody, and give visibility to the cultural diversity of Peru.

​GIAN LUIGGI CORTEZ MEJIA
Musician and Tap Dancer

Cortez, is a talented and multidisciplinary 20-year-old Peruvian artist very passionate about music. He studied music and Theater at Preludio Asociación Cultural - Lima. He has had the opportunity from working with large companies and renowned singers and orchestras in Peru and abroad such as Eva Ayllón and Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra. He also has experience in Dance, Film and Musical Theater. Currently, Cortez resides in Los Angeles - California, United States; where he received distinction and recognition from Congress for his valuable contribution to Afro-Peruvian Culture.

ROBERTITO “Rob” MELENDEZ, Percussion

Robertito Melendez was born in New York City, of Puerto Rican descent. He had the great opportunity to learn percussion at the Ile Ife Percussion School in Philadelphia and studied all Latin percussion and Caribbean rhythms. “My future goals consist of the following: to have a community-based workshop/studio for percussion learning; to continue traveling the world sharing rhythms and cultural sounds with various artists and students; and to study and perform at the National Afro-Cuban Conservatory in Cuba.” Robb “has collaborated with many Latin Jazz artists – Pancho Sancez, SOS Latin Jazz Band, Bobby Matos, Susie Hansen Latin Jazz Band, and Bill Laster. He’s also formed numerous partnerships with other musicians across different Latin genres – Francisco Aguabella Salsa Orchestra, Miquel Cruz Afro-Cuban Group, Johnny Polanco y Su Conjunto La Amistad, Nocy, Brazilian flamenco jazz, Orchestra Macondo Salsa Band, Teddy Riveria and his Puerto Rican Orchestra, Tavio Figueroa and La Sopresa Salsa Band, Orchestra Versatil Charanga Group, Melocochita Salsa Orchestra, Afro-Taino Ensemble, Willy Cadena Cumbia and Salsa Band, and Conjunto Costa Azul Orchestra. Robb rounds out his musical interest while working with artists La Ultima Charanga Band, Johnny Martinez Band, Rudy Regalado Orchestra Chevere Latin Jazz Salsa, Karen Hernandez Jazz Quartet and Jump with Joey Ska Band. Throughout his career, Robb has not only been an accomplished musician, but also a passionate teacher, consistently striving share his expertise with future generations of musicians.

ROCIO MARRON, Singer, Violinist, Violist
 
Rocio Marron is a violinist, violist, who has ventured into the world of singing and songwriting.  After falling in love with music as a young girl and attending the Colburn School for the performing arts in High School, Rocio studied performance violin at USC’s Thornton School of Music.  Rocio has made a name for herself as being one of Los Angeles’ exceptional improvising violinists. This versatile artist has played in styles ranging from Country to Mariachi.  She learned to improvise in her early years through the rock and country bands that she played with in college, and later went on to become one of the most sought-after violinists in the Latin music scene.  In the Summer of 2017 composer Germaine Franco asked Rocio to perform solo violin on “Proud Corazón” in the Disney Pixar film “Coco.”  Rocio has toured with Los Lobos and Quetzal; performed with Rihanna, Alessia Cara, and Cuban bass legend Cachao; recorded with Raphael Saadiq and GRAMMY® Nominated Caravana Cubana, among others.  She is a violinist, string arranger and writer on the 2013 GRAMMY® Award-winning album “Imaginaries” by Quetzal. Rocio has recorded for several major motion pictures including “Encanto” and Jordan Peele’s “Us”.  She has performed on television programs such as, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Saturday Night Live.  She was invited to record in the 2013 Maroon 5 music video for their single "Daylight" as a featured musician from Playing for Change. Rocio can be seen performing with Entre Mujeres, which is a collaboration of women making music across borders.  Rocio is a current Adjunct Faculty Member of California Lutheran University.  She is a former faculty member of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music where she taught violin, viola and guitar.

GIL TOWER, Flutist, Singer
 
Gil Tower, specializes in a variety of Latin music styles. For the past 25 years, Gil has worked for prestige entertainment agencies in Los Angeles as a flutist, arranger, and singer in the Latin genre. His repertoire includes Spanish Rock, Latin Pop, Boleros, Salsa, Bachata, Cumbias, Reggaeton, Latin Jazz, and traditional Cuban music. He has performed with the following notable artists: Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Oscar de León, Talía, Álvaro Torres, Luis Henrique, Dr. Dre and many more. Gil has sung at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, for the Kennedy family, Sidney Poitier, Glodean White, Cuban festivals, Puerto Rican festivals, and the Long Beach Festival. He has also performed at international festivals with my Latin Jazz project in Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Turkey, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, at the Montana Flat Head festival and many more.

CARLOS ORDIANO, Pianist
 
Carlos Ordiano (Music Director, Piano) is a pianist and composer for the last 25 years. Born and raised in Southern California he has played in diverse music groups. From solo piano to big band. Currently touring with La Santa Cecilia he has branched out to writing for La Marisoul's debut album with a Latin big band sound called La Marisoul and the Love Notes. Carlos's arrangements can also be heard with independent artist, Estani Frizzell, whose album, “Droughts in the Ocean” relied heavily on Carlos. Ordiano is an alum from Santa Ana community college, and received his Bachelor’s in Jazz piano from California State Long Beach.

BRIAN J WRIGHT, Bassist
Bassist Brian J Wright is a Grammy nominated musician native to Southern California. Proficient on string bass, electric upright bass and electric bass guitar, he has been working and performing since 1998. He is well versed in many genres of music, including jazz, Latin, rock and pop, performing with many ensembles in Southern California. He has performed
and/or recorded with a variety of artists including; Llew Matthews, Ron Kobayashi, renowned jazz composer and educator Joey Sellers, Ron Stout (Grammy awardee), Benn Clatworthy, Steve Cotter, Francisco Aguabella, Poncho Sanchez, Mongorama, Calixto Oviedo, Yalil Guerera, Danilo Lozano, Mark Massey, Justo Almario, Ramon Banda and many others. Brian has performed for a number of television productions including Criminal Minds (2016), Beyond Borders (2016) and Jane The Virgin (2016). Among the many venues in which he has performed are the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Nokia Theatre, Shrine Auditorium, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. Earning a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music Performance on upright bass at Whittier College in 2001, he received a Masters of Arts in Music in Jazz Performance at Fullerton College in 2018. 

Ryan Cross, is a name that is synonymous with professionalism and musical excellence. Glee, Friends, ER, The West Wing, Studio 60, Cold Case, Along Came Polly and Poseidon are just a few of the television and film productions that have benefited from his expertise. Ryan Cross is a rare find in that his administrative skills strongly rival his musical talent. Ryan's passion for music was birthed at the tender age of 8 when he began to study classical cello. At the age of 16, he discovered the acoustic bass and seized the opportunity to study under Ray Brown, one of the most well-known and prolific bass players of our time. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Ryan moved to Los Angeles, California when he received a full scholarship to attend the University of Southern California where he studied under John Clayton. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and his career immediately took flight. He has appeared and recorded on over 35 TV shows and movies to date.

Born in Berkeley, Ca, Lynette Williams knew at an early age that music would be part of her life. At age 18 she won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music through a worldwide audition. While attending the prestigious school in Boston her background was mainly Gospel but her musical knowledge expanded and she learned various Genres of music including Jazz, Latin, R&B*, Country, Pop, and more, while majoring in Music Composition/Songwriting. In 2006 she toured with Will.i.am of the *Black Eyed Peas for two years as part of his All Girl Band during his solo act promoting his album “Songs About Girls”..

Heads Up will be a soul-stirring, thought provoking, and joyful program that is just what is needed now. Enjoy this program with family and friends virtually!​

Tiffany Owens, host is a Professional Development Trainer, Facilitator and Curriculum Specialist. She is a classically trained actor, veteran educator, event producer, and arts advocate.

Tiffany has served as the chair and mayoral representative for two mayors of the City of Pasadena Arts and Culture Commission. She has worked as a teaching artist in Drama, and as a credentialed teacher for schools in LA County including as chair of the English Department at the highly-acclaimed and nationally renown Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.​

​Dennis Escobedo is the screenwriter of Bookworm, Advice For Teenage Outcasts, Last Summer of Nathan Lee, & The Unlucky.

Last Summer of Nathan Lee will make its world premiere at CAAMFest 2023 in San Francisco directed by award winning director Quentin Lee, produced by Margin Films.

Advice for Teenage Outcasts is in development with award winning director B Kelley (The Real Thing) and Sophie Giannamore (The L Word, Transparent) set to star.

Dennis' plays The Poet of Columbus Avenue and Charlotte Second Chance have been performed in NYC Off-Broadway (Pan Asian Rep), Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Stanford University.
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​Legendary Los Angeles Poet Lorenzo Frank is an extremely popular and well respected writer, actor, and spoken word artist. Through his genuine love of the arts, he has provided space and opportunity for literally hundreds of poets to share their voices. Currently, Lorenzo continues to serve his community by hosting one of the longest running poetry venues in Los Angeles. SWAAM, which is an acronym for Spoken Word Art and Music. His most recent work is a children's book published with his daughter Nzinga titled "Nzinga Teaches/Learns A Lesson". It can be found on Amazon as well as his website. An example of Black Excellence, Lorenzo hopes to change the world one poem at a time.
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​Pianist Lucas Nogara has been gaining major recognition on the operatic and art song stage as a collaborator and opera coach. A recent graduate of Indiana University, Lucas holds a master's of music and a performance diploma in collaborative piano, both under the mentorship of Kevin Murphy. His projects included collaborations with IU Opera Theatre in the productions of Parsifal, La Bohème, La Rondine, and The Barber of Seville. He has also served as a pianist, rehearsing and performing in Carol Vaness’ renowned opera workshop.

He began working as a collaborative pianist, mostly with singers, as an undergraduate at the State University of Sao Paulo - Unesp. After college, he joined the São Pedro Theatre Opera Studio, playing song recitals and opera rehearsals and performances. He also worked on opera productions in his country, among them Faust and Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas at the Manaus Opera Festival; A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Makropulos Affair at São Pedro Theatre; and Roméo et Juliette with São Paulo Opera Company.

​In 2018, he was invited to play Don Giovanni for the Tel Aviv Summer Opera Festival, to which he will return in the summer of 2022. In 2021, he was invited as a fellow at the prestigious Ravinia Steans Music Institute to collaborate with the program for singers, to which he will also return this upcoming summer. Most recently, he performed at the last edition of the Concours Musical International de Montréal.

Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, Arranger Theo Saunders has been on the international jazz scene for more than 55 years and performed and recorded with a dizzying array of Jazz artists from Slam Stewart to Carla Bley. His career also includes extensive work in the musical spheres of Latin Jazz, R&B, Funk, Musical Theater, Dance and Opera.​
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Rickey Woodard picked up early experience playing in a family band. After attending Tennessee State University, Woodard joined Ray Charles in 1980. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles and then recorded (both as a leader and as a sideman) for Concord Records, has led quartets, and been a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
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Tony Dumas (born in Los Angeles California. By the age of 14, he started playing bass and studying in the high school orchestra and went on to study music at Pasadena City College.

He first started playing professionally with Organist Johnny Hammond Smith then went on to play with Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.
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He has toured, played, and recorded with the likes of: Herbie Hancock, Carmen McCrae, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, The Manhattan Transfer, Chick Correa, Etta James, Mariah Carey, Bill Cosby (playboy jazz festival band), Patrice Rushen and the list goes on and on.
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Brittany Daniels began dancing ballet at the age of eight and later studied hip-hop, jazz, modern, and ballroom at the age of 14. She completed Cecchetti examinations 1-5 and earned international honors for her last examination. Some summer dance intensives she attended are Cecchetti USA (nominated for an award in her division), American Ballet Theater, Ballet Magnificat! (full scholarship), and LINES Ballet (scholarship). She was awarded the most promising dancer in her home city, Temecula, California, by ODC modern dance company, as well as offered a full scholarship to their dance intensive. She was offered an apprenticeship to the modern company, PGK Dance Project when she was 18. She traveled and danced in Washington D.C., New York, Italy, and Cuba with Dunamix Dance Project. She was honored with many opportunities to perform, serve, and teach dance at places that served underprivileged children, abused children, individuals with HIV/AIDS, and individuals who are homeless. Brittany led the dance program at Maranatha High School for 3 years and currently teaches dance at The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Brittany joined Lineage in 2018.
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Sylvia MacCalla is one of the founding members of the R&B group LivinOutLoud, Sylvia and her brother wrote/produced several records. The UK embraced their sound early on. Sylvia is an all-genre music writer and lover. She has spent the last seven years going back and forth to Nashville from LA to co-write with a variety of great writers.

Sylvia has also had the honor of working alongside the incomparable Artie Butler who is best known for his award-winning song Here’s to Life made famous by Shirley Horn and Barbra Streisand. And his arrangements on songs like What a Wonderful World. Sylvia and Artie have written over 1/2 dozen songs and are still going strong.

She is currently working as a vocal coach to a few of the industry's top pop Artists as well as writing for early-stage talent helping them fine-tune their Vocals and Artistry.

Part of the Broadway community, Sylvia has cuts with Eden Espinosa’s, Yvette Cason, Chester Gregory, and Terron Brooks’s name a few.