WOMEN RISE!

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary
Women's Right to Vote

​Sunday, October 18, 2020, 5:00pm PST​​

Remembering the women who fought the good fight  through song, spoken word and dance

​Shana Blake Hill ,vocalist  continues to excite audiences and critics alike as she proves herself a multifaceted performer in both operatic and orchestral repertoires. Opera News recently hailed Ms. Hill’s Cincinnati Opera debut of Rosalba in Florencia en el Amazonas as “…a highlight of the performance…floods of glorious sound.” Hill’s performance of composer Bright Sheng’s The Phoenix with Blake HillThe Philadelphia Orchestra caused the Saratogan to exclaim “Shana Blake Hill was amazing in this very difficult soprano role…her richly colored tone lent dignity and a sense of awe to the tale…she was a mesmerizing presence.” 

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​Ms. Hill has appeared as a principal artist with such opera companies as: The Los Angeles Opera, Savonlinna Festival Opera (Finland), Dayton Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Pacific, Long Beach Opera, Santa Barbara Opera, Fargo Moorhead Opera, San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival Opera, Berkshire Opera and Opera Nova. She has also been featured as a solo artist with orchestras such as; The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Pacific Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, The New West Symphony, Pacific Chorale, The Florida Philharmonic, The Naples Philharmonic, The Pasadena Symphony, The Louisville Orchestra, The Colorado Symphony, and The Durham Symphony.
Especially at home with contemporary music, some of Ms. Hill’s World Premiers and projects include: Bright Sheng’s The Phoenix for soprano and orchestra, Sakagawea in Michael Ching’s opera Corps of Discovery on the Louis and Clark expedition, Sally Hemings in Glenn Paxton’s opera Monticello on the controversial personal life of Thomas Jefferson, Ticie in On Gold Mountain, an opera by Nathan Wang commissioned by Los Angeles Opera on the novel by Lisa See, Sara’s Diary: 9/11, a dramatic song cycle on prose by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Leroy Aarons for NPR live radio broadcast, and both the roles of Rosalba and Florencia Grimaldi in Daniel Catan’s acclaimed opera Florencia en el Amazonas.

In the genre of film Ms. Hill was chosen by legendary film composer Jerry Goldsmith to record the title track “The Mission” which opens Paramount’s Blockbuster film The Sum of All Fears. Amazon.com remarks in their review of the soundtrack CD, “what sets it apart is the operatic performance of Shana Blake Hill…a stirring opening which proves to be the highpoint of the score.” Ms. Hill’s performance of “The Mission” was recently chosen to be part of Paramount Studio’s newly released 90th Anniversary Favorite Soundtrack Compilation CD. Other media credits include solos on the soundtracks of the feature film “Red Dirt” and the Sci-Fi Series “Seven Days to Midnight”.

Highlights of Ms. Hill’s recent engagements and notable upcoming events include: The recent release on the Naxos label of Bright Sheng’s The Phoenix and Ms. Hill’s subscription debut (The Phoenix) with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Charles Dutoit, Violetta in La Traviata with Dayton Opera, Mr. Tambourine Man by John Corigliano with The Pasadena Symphony, Roberta in An American Tragedy by Tobias Picker (West Coast Premiere), World Premiere song cycle By William H. Curry with The North Carolina Symphony, Mozart’s Requiem with The Pasadena Symphony and Northwest Sinfonietta, Nedda in I Pagliacci with Opera Sacramento, Violetta in La Traviata with Opera Southwest, Maria in West Side Story with the Lexington Philharmonic, A Christmas Celebration at Disney Hall, and an evening of three Puccini Heroines with The Northwest Sinfonietta. Projects in Development include a classical Cabaret series in Downtown LA in collaboration with The Blankenship Ballet and a new album/live performance project with Grammy-winning producer Andreao Heard.

Born in North Carolina Ms. Hill received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, her Master of Music from The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, and is an Alumna of The Los Angeles Opera’s Resident Artist program. She is a proud resident of and participant in the Downtown LA Arts Community.

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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). 

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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. Currently, Brittany leads the dance program at Maranatha High School in Pasadena. Brittany joined Lineage in 2018. Brittany returns to Women Rise by popular demand.

​Nia Allen, To describe Nia Allen’s music is to describe the sound of pure, passionate worship. Nia is one of this generation’s fresh talents leading the way in praise and worship. She has traveled as a background vocalist for CeCe Winans, Nicole C. Mullen, David and Nicole Binion and many others. She is a recurring guest artist on TBN’s Praise the Lord program and is continually gaining national and international exposure within the realm of Praise and Worship. Nia has led worship for CeCe Winans’ “Always Sisters Forever Brothers” youth conferences, the National Worship Leader’s Conference, and is currently traveling with the Women of Faith Conference ministering to over 10,000 women every weekend. The ministry God has given Nia goes beyond singing; she is also a songwriter and teacher. Having a universal appeal, her music is honest, uplifting and captivating to the soul. She is truly something special and her ministry will impact the world and lives of many.

Rachel Fine, Moderator

Rachel Fine was named Executive Director/CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (The Wallis) in June 2018. Before assuming her position as Managing Director of The Wallis in November 2015, she was a Senior Consultant at the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. Drawing upon an 18-year career in the arts as a versatile administrator, educator, and fundraiser, as well as a professional classical musician, Fine served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), establishing LACO as orchestra-in-residence for the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA in an ongoing and mutually beneficial collaboration; successfully shepherding LACO through the challenges of the Great Recession; and expanding the reach of the Orchestra with prestigious debuts beyond Los Angeles. she spearheaded high-profile community events as “Play Me, I’m Yours,” an ambitious three-week project that placed 30 pianos in 30 locations across Los Angeles, and Strad Fest LA, a four-day citywide festival featuring eight Stradivarius violins. Strad Fest LA earned press coverage in The Wall Street Journal and on “60 Minutes,” and also resulted in a record-breaking fundraiser for LACO.

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Also, she served in leadership positions at such institutions as the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, where she helped found the Young Men’s Ensemble, a rare choral group for young men with changing voices, for The Juilliard School, Santa Fe Opera, and the Aspen Music Festival, as well as the renowned San Francisco-based period ensemble Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
Fine completed a one-year comprehensive Management Fellowship in 2001-02 at the John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts under the guidance of then-President Michael M. Kaiser.

Fine was also selected to participate in the 2012 Leadership L.A. program, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission’s 2008-09 Arts Leadership Initiative, and the 2007-08 Wells Fargo New Executive Directors Institute of Southern California’s Executive Service Corps. She is a founding mentor of the Los Angeles Emerging Arts Leaders’ mentorship program.
An accomplished pianist, Fine studied at the Eastman School of Music and the University of California, Irvine, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in music. She also attended graduate school in musicology at Yale University.

She served on the Board of Directors of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) for six years and recently joined the Board of Councilors for the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where she also teaches a graduate course in executive arts leadership. Fine has been enlisted as moderator and panelist by ACSO, League of American Orchestras, USC Thornton School of Music, and Chorus America, and has served as an advisor since 2009 to the DeVos Institute of Arts Management with clients that include the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

​She and her husband, Christopher Hawthorne, the Chief Design Officer for the City of Los Angeles,have two children who love the arts.

Gigi Yam (任霜霜) is a TV personality and Event MC in Los Angeles. She hosts several shows on Chinese broadcasting television station SkyLink TV. Gigi started her career as a model and show host with TVB and AM1430. 
 
Besides working on TV and events, Gig enjoys her time doing volunteer work. She is the Vice President of Morning Light Foundation and President for the Hong Kong School Alumni Federation, both educational foundations helping scholars with financial need.  
 
Gigi also hosts for many international and community organizations throughout California as well as politicians’ fundraising events. Gigi is a strong supporter for many charitable organizations and hosts many of their events including the Chinese American Museum, Chinese Parents Association for the Disabled and Chinese Christian Herald Crusades annually. Gigi has been a supporter and volunteer MC for AYC’s gala’s and other fundraising events for more than 10 years and we deeply appreciate her time, support, and friends.

Dee Dee Stephens is an actor/comedian, producer and acting coach. She plays the role of Kai in her 1st feature film entitled, 'My Name is Myeisha', which premiered at the 2018 Slamdance Film Festival and won several awards on the film fest circuit since then. The movie was distributed with a wide release in early 2020. She received her MFA degree in Acting from University of Southern California in Los Angeles and she received her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.

Recently getting into writing and producing, Dee Dee uses her voice as an actor on stage and in front of the camera to discuss tough social issues of race, mental health, and women’s rights to name a few. Her most recent project was a social justice piece entitled #ArtForGeorgeFloyd. Please check out the website: www.ArtForGeorgeFloyd.com

Dee Dee is a first-generation American, born to Caribbean parents and raised in San Jose, California.
​You can find out more about Dee Dee on her website: DeeDeeStephens.com

Josie Hung is a 22-year-old Taiwanese American dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) player based in Southern California. She started playing dizi when she was 11 and is currently learning from Northern California-based dizi artist, George Xu (Xu Zhuo Ming). As a child, she performed at various local venues, including for the Chinese Consulate and at the inauguration of the Walnut City mayor. When she was 15, she played with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra as their sole dizi player during their 2012 summer concert with the Peking Acrobats. She studied silver flute at Orange County School of the Arts and in 2015, she toured around Europe with the OCSA Symphony Orchestra, performing at Vienna’s Musikverein, Bratislava’s Slovak Radio Hall, and Prague’s Dvorak Rudolfinum. Josie studied Sociology at Swarthmore College and upon wanting to continue playing dizi, she started the college’s first Chinese Music Ensemble which went from a small performing group to an official Department Ensemble and for-credit course under ethnomusicologist, Lei Ouyang Bryant, and the Artistic Director of Music From China, Wang Guowei. Throughout her time in college, she performed three major dizi solos with the ensemble, performed alongside award-winning singer Dr. Peng Xu during her lecture demo, was invited to perform with a Philadelphia based erhu player and his ensemble at Longwood Gardens, and personally coordinated the ensemble’s performances at the Philadelphia Lantern Festival and Chinatown’s Mid-autumn Festival.

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As her interests in music include scholarship as well as performance, she conducted fieldwork for a professor’s research project on the Swarthmore Chinese Music Ensemble and also co-wrote a paper on an ethnographic study of Swarthmore Taiko, Gamelan, and Chinese Music Ensemble for the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology Conference. She won First Place in Woodwinds in the 2017 United States International Music Competition (USIMC) and this summer, received the Young Artist Award for Chinese Flute Solo after placing first in the 2020 Canadian International Music Competition. Josie says that through the dizi, she has been able to not only explore her cultural heritage, but also the capacities of music for representation, expression, connection, and empowerment.

After graduating college in spring 2019, she spent this year training and performing taiko drumming in Hawaii with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble as the 2019-2020 Fellow at the Taiko Center of the Pacific.

Gabriela Bonet is an actor who was born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She has performed in numerous theaters including Antaeus Theater, The Boston Court, The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Film credits include Babymoon, and the Puerto Rican TV series Incognita 2. Gabriela holds a B.A. in Acting from the University of Puerto Rico and an MFA in Acting from the USC School of Dramatic Arts.

Luis Villegas is a Mexican American guitarist best known for his debut CD Cafe Olé, which mixed new-age music, flamenco, and jazz and garnered a spot on the Grammy ballot for Best New Age Album of the Year in 1999. He is known for using a technique of playing fast, intricate lines by using the fingernail of his right index finger in place of a guitar pick. He also had a small role, as a member of a band, in the film Collateral starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Currently, he is a member of the group "Heavy Mellow" along with founder Benjamin Woods and percussionist Mike Bennett.

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.

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​Due to his high level of proficiency in all styles of music, Ryan is able to readily adapt his live performance skills to the studio-recording environment on a moment's notice. His reputation has also afforded him the ability to consistently build and maintain a network of highly sought-after musicians who have respect for his leadership and talent. This has helped him become a polished film composer of award winning films. Ryan served as the contractor for Alicia Keys' CD release, "As I Am", on which he contracted twenty-five musicians and personally recorded bass and cello tracks. He has also graced the recording studio and stage with Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, John Legend, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Ciara, P-Diddy and Rihanna.

​Ryan produces live shows weekly at the world renown Biltmore Hotel, Harvelle's and The Hotel Angeleno where he features the world's top jazz musicians and vocalists. This is an environment that allows him to continually keep his skills sharp and his eyes open for new talent as well as undiscovered seasoned professionals. Ryan plays a strong advocacy role in the preservation and implementation of music in school. For several years, he has maintained a strong relationship with the Pasadena Jazz Institute and has gone out to many schools in the Los Angeles' Unified School District to spark the interest of children to play classical instruments. Most recently, Ryan founded the Elevation Orchestra, a 17-piece multicultural string orchestra with piano, bass and drums. The orchestra's inaugural performance took place on February 1, 2009 at the California African American Museum. The Elevation Orchestra strives to work closely with children and parents in the urban community to elevate their knowledge of culture, history and art by playing concerts all over the country in schools, churches, museums and symphony halls. Ryan Cross is a well-rounded musician who has perfected the art of multi-tasking without compromising the quality of his work. He is consistent, reliable and committed to giving nothing less that the best. From the stage to the studio to the community-at-large, Ryan Cross is a gifted individual who leaves an unforgettable mark of musical notes daily.

Teresa James. Originally from Houston, Texas, Teresa is based in Los Angeles where she has assembled a group of some of the top LA based touring and session musicians in her band, The Rhythm Tramps. They have been working in the LA area and at blues festivals and clubs throughout the US and Europe for many years. For the last 12 years, the band has also been a favorite on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Blues Cruise.​
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She has released 8 CDs - her most recent, COME ON HOME, was released in August, 2012 and has been getting regular airplay on stations around the world and charting for weeks at a time on the Roots Radio Charts (topping off at the #3 spot). It has been listed on many ‘best of’ lists for 2012 and has been receiving raves reviews from writers and DJs everywhere.

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​Her 2008 release, THE BOTTOM LINE, garnered her a nomination by the Blues Foundation for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and her 2010 CD, YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT, was a finalist for an Independent Music Award (IMA).

She has performed live with such legendary artists as Levon Helm, Delbert McClinton, Eric Burdon, Marcia Ball, Tommy Castro, Big Al Anderson, Kirk Whalum, and many others. Her voice is featured on albums by Randy Newman, Eric Burdon, Tommy Castro, Bill Medley, and Walter Trout, among others. She has also sung for television and movie soundtracks; She and her band were featured in the Disney movie and soundtrack for "HOLES".
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Teresa's band is an eclectic mix of Los Angeles based musicians who have worked with a wide range of artists including: Jimmy Reed, Eric Burdon, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, Was Not Was, Johnny Nash and many, many others.

Lynette Williams - Piano
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!

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He also used her in many sessions including Mariah Carey and Lynette can be heard on his Ode to Barak Obama on his song ‘It’s A New Day”. In 2009 Lynette was selected as one of 10 keyboardists out of thousands to be on P Diddy’s MTV show “Making His Band” she was one in 3 of the final keyboardists to be selected in his band. In 2011 She joined David E. Talbert’s play “What My Husband Doesn’t Know” as the main keyboardist. During the second half of the tour she became the Musical Director, arranging underscores organically that added more to the play. From there she co-scored 2 DVDs of David’s plays “What Goes Around Comes Around” and “A Fool and His Money” and solely scored his DVD play “Suddenly Single”. Lynette has always had a passion for scoring and David mentored her and helped her expand that passion. She then went on to tour and play for several artist such as Childish Gambino, Cee-lo, 98 Degrees, Kenny Lattimore, Goapele, PJ Morton, Chaka Khan, BBD, and more. Lynette hopes to complete and “Organ Trio” EP to share not only her Hammond talents but her vocals as well.

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.

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​She designs and delivers custom, targeted training in interpersonal communication, the arts, and education. Tiffany has served as both a grant writer for arts education grants and as a grant panelist-evaluator for school districts, for the LA County Arts Commission, and for the National Endowment for the Arts. As a public speaker she has presented on arts education to Innovate Pasadena, Leadership Pasadena at the Pasadena Playhouse, Clazzical Notes, as Honorary Event Chair of the ASID of Pasadena, and at The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens. Tiffany’s ongoing professional practice in theater includes appearances in productions with Parson’s Nose Theater Company, Lineage Dance, Machine Project, and Downtown Repertory Theater Company.

Jud Friedman, composer/songwriter grew up in New York and Connecticut and went to Yale and Harvard Law School (long story…), all the while playing in various bands, performing in musical theater, and writing songs.  After headlining a show in New York City I had an epiphany – I loved performing, but I didn’t crave it or the limelight the way I think you need to if you want to be a star.  What I really craved was….to make music.  And I realized I could do it for other people.

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So I moved to Los Angeles and started honing my writing and producing craft.  After several years, I had my first Number One hit as a writer and arranger:  “I Don’t Have The Heart” by James Ingram.  And the ball was rolling.  Next, Whitney Houston recorded “Run To You” for her film “The Bodyguard”.  I made the record with David Foster, worked on producing Whitney’s vocals and even sang backgrounds with her.  “Run To You”  was nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy.  Then I wrote “For The First Time” for the film “One Fine Day” with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney.  Kenny Loggins performed it and the song garnered another Oscar and Grammy and also a Golden Globe nomination.

Along the way, there were lots more hits and nominations, with amazing artists such as Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leann Rimes, Chaka Khan, Kristine W., Oleta Adams, Gladys Knight, and Dave Koz.  And recently, big records with Charice (“The Truth Is”), Toni Braxton (“If I Have To Wait”) and Kimberley Locke of American Idol fame, number-one singles on the number one CDs of Italian divas Giorgia and Elisa, and songs recorded by massive pop/classical group The Tenors on their Juno-winning CD, Right Said Fred and many more.  Also a couple of things for television:  the theme song from the Michael Jackson show “Man In The Mirror” (“Believe In Me”) and the score for the TV the film “The Prince and The Pizza Boy”, starring Joey Lawrence.  (One of my biggest TV successes;  I still get mobbed by little kids on the street.  Haha.)

65 million records sold worldwide.   At last count.  Nominations for 2 Academy Awards, 2 Grammys, 2 Golden Globes, and, for artists singing my songs, nominations for two more Grammys and a Soul Train Award.

In March 2016 The Grammy Museum did a special night celebrating the more than 25-year career of my long term songwriting partner Allan Rich and me.  Check out the opening video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSGzTu6NOcA.

In recent years I have been teaching songwriting and music business and law in various capacities, from the global Intensive Songwriting Workshops and 1-On-1 Writing and Studio Mentoring Sessions which I co-founded with Debbie James and have so far run in Los Angeles (several times), Edmonton, London and (in 9/19) Florence, Italy – as well as over the internet – to my work as a Professor at the Los Angeles College of Music. I help aspiring writers and artists with their writing, producing, performing and understanding of “how to make it in the music business,” based on what I have learned over my many years of working with some of the greatest recording artists and writers in the world.   

And of course, I continue to write songs for and with both established and new, aspiring artists and for film, television, commercial and corporate usages, in all genres. Jud also produces and arranges music. " I think you need to if you want to be a star.  What I really craved was….to make music.  And I realized I could do it for other people." 
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His first Number One hit as a writer and arranger:  “I Don’t Have The Heart” by James Ingram.  And the ball was rolling.  Next, Whitney Houston recorded “Run To You” for her film “The Bodyguard”.  I made the record with David Foster, worked on producing Whitney’s vocals, and even sang backgrounds with her.  “Run To You”  was nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy.  Then I wrote “For The First Time” for the film “One Fine Day” with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney.  Kenny Loggins performed it and the song garnered another Oscar and Grammy and also a Golden Globe nomination.

​Allan Rich is a two time “Oscar”, “Grammy”, and “Golden Globe” nominated songwriter. He has co written hit songs for Natalie Cole, “I Live For Your Love”, James Ingram’s #1 pop hit “I Don’t Have The Heart”, Whitney Houston’s “Run To You” from the 45 million selling “Bodyguard” sound track, Kenny Loggin’s #1 adult contemporary hit “For The First Time” from the Michelle Pfeiffer/George Clooney movie “One Fine Day”, “I Drive Myself Crazy” from N’Sync’s 10 million plus selling CD, “Before I Fall In Love” from the “Runaway Bride” movie and soundtrack, as well as two #1 dance singles “Stronger” and “Walk Away” by Kristine W.

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Allan has had other songs recorded by everyone from Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow,Oleta Adams, Toni Braxton, George Benson, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and many others.
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He scored his first #1 song in Italy with Italian superstar Giorgia , and had another #1 with Italian singing star Elisa with “No Hero”.

His song “Run To You” is performed every night in the smash hit musical of “The Bodyguard”still touring Europe after spending three years touring the United States.

He’s been very fortunate to have had the same writing collaborator Jud Friedman for over 25 years.
His songs have sold over 65 million copies……. And there’s more to come.

Heads Up, The Time is Now!
Virtual Links will be posted early September

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February 2020

Clazzical Notes and the Pasadena NAACP

present
A Jazz, Gospel Music, and with dance celebrating Black History Month.
Thursday, February 13th, 2020
Free Parking
Boston Court Performing Arts Center
70 Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
Free Parking
Admission $15.00
Children 12 & under free
Tickets Available Here
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Featuring
Lanny Hartley, Jazz Pianist
Yvette Freeman-Hartley, Actress, Singer
Robert Henley III, Gospel Singer
Brittany Daniels, Dancer
Beverly Lafontaine, Poet, Host
Santiago Hayden, Cello
Mina Thorenson, Piano accompanist
Akasha Royal, Background singer

Yvette Freeman Hartley (Vocalist)
​Yvette has starred in the Broadway, First National, Paris and International companies of "Ain't Misbehavin'" the New York production of "Dinah Was," based on the life of the legendary jazz singer Dinah Washington, and won the 1998 Obie for Best Actress. Most recently she starred in Ma Rainey at the Huntington Theater in Boston. She played the role of 101 year old Dr. Bessie in Having Our Say at the acclaimed McCarter Theater directed by Emily Mann.
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Two of the TV roles she is most proud of is - Nurse Haleh Adams on the acclaimed dramatic series ER, and the character of Evelyn Smalley on the NBC sitcom Working. In 2010 and 2011, Yvette had the honor of being nominated for NAACP Image Award for her role as Dr. Lewis in the soap opera "The Bold and The Beautiful". Her second album "In My Arms" was released in May 2012.

​Lanny Hartley (Piano)
​Lanny is a member of Northridge United Methodist Church, is a jazz pianist, conductor and composer, and studied Music Education at Indiana University. Jazz piano became his love and he performed with such great Jazz artists as Wes Montgomery, Lou Rawls, and Linda Hopkins. Lanny has also played for such Pop Artists as Thelma Houston, The Fifth Dimension. He has been the Musical Director/Conductor for such shows as Ain't Misbehavin', Tracks (Yolanda King); The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz (Sandra Reeves: The Della Reese Musical Tour; and Dinah Was (New York, Los Angeles, and Williamstown)

Bob Henley III (Vocalist)
Bob Henley III's musical foundation began first in the world of gospel and church music, where he was first able to explore his vocal talents. Throughout his formative high school and early college years, Bob had the chance to perform with an eclectic number of musical acts, choir groups and jazz bands. He is a true tenor with a powerful vocal range. He is also a gifted bandleader and choir director, as well as a masterful keyboardist and percussion player. Not one to be kept to only one type of music or live performance style, he has also worked in the world of theater. His work includes 'West Side Story,' 'Black People Who Knew' and 'The Message is in the Music.'

Brittany Daniels (Dancer)
Brittany Daniels began dancing ballet at the age of eight and later studied hip-hop, modern dance, 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 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. Currently, Brittany leads the dance program at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, and dances with the Lineage Dance Company at the Lineage Performing Arts Center.

Beverly Lafontaine (Poet, Moderator)
Beverly Lafontaine, Moderator, poet is a Los Angeles-born poet and playwright. She has enjoyed four productions of her plays in the Los Angeles area and has had her poetry published in various online and print poetry journals and anthologies, including MORIA, Poets Reading the News, Blue Satellite, Spillway, the Anthology of the Valley Contemporary Poets, So Luminous the Wildflowers: An Anthology of California Poets, and Beyond the Lyric Moment. Four of her poems are to be published in Waves, an upcoming anthology published by the AROHO Foundation. As a collaborative artist she has worked with composer Tom Flaherty to create Scenes from Sarajevo, a prize-winning chamber music piece.

​Additionally, she was commissioned to create six poems that were incorporated into the sculptural work of Walk a Mile in My Shoes, a public art project dedicated to Martin Luther King sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. As a journalist she has written for publications as wide-ranging as Essence Magazine, Soul Magazine and Caesura: the Journal for the San Jose Center for Poetry and Literature.

Santiago Hayden (Cello)
​Attends St Marks Episcopal School

Maiya Sykes
​Maiya Sykes is a classically trained vocalist, producer, vocal arranger and entrepreneur.  She studied independently with Nina Simone and Betty Carter.   A Yale graduate, Maiya starred in a reality show, VH1’s “Bands On The Run” immediately after graduation.   She was also featured nationally in both television and radio commercials for “Green Light Financial”.

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​Maiya was highlighted on the commercial trailers for the “Lord of the Rings:  The Two Towers” & “The Return of the King”, chosen personally by the films director, Peter Jackson. Maiya has provided back-up vocals on recordings for The Black Eyed Peas, Macy Gray, Fantasia, Joss Stone, and Allen Stone.  She was a featured backup singer for Macy Gray in her live show for more than three years.

As a recording artist, Maiya released a dance single with DJ Manny Lehman, “Body Rock”, recorded under the pseudonym Oceana. The single reached the number one position on the Billboard Charts in July 2009.

Currently, Maiya has been busy as the lead singer of The Endangered. The band’s second release, produced by legendary producer Steven Miller (Dave Mathews Band, Chaka Kahn), was released in early May 2012 to excellent reviews. Though she currently touring and performing with her band, Maiya is grateful for every opportunity to make good music. 

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April 2020

No Bridges/No Gaps
Jazz and Classical Meet
This program is for lovers of both genres. There are no gaps in the joy and emotion of both genres

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September 2020

I AM WOMAN!
A musical tribute to the 100th Anniversary of a Woman's Right to Vote
​An all musica salute to the women, artists and others who fought for a woman's right to vote.

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October 2020

​From East to West
An All String Odyssey from Asia to the West

Artists subject to change.

Board of Directors

Jerri Price-Gaines, MBA — Founder/Executive Director
Laura Farber — Attorney at Law, Hahn and Hahn( Immediate Past President)
Sherone Ivey — Deputy Assistant Secretary for University Partnerships, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Dev. (Retired) (Vice Chair)
Vivian Chan — Founder of Asian Link Marketing, Inc., and Curator for the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation
Gail Bernstein —  Executive Vice President, PNC Credit
Gene Shelton- Associate Professor and Co-Chair Diversity and Globilization, Kent State University
Marissa Sarian- Assistant Superintendent for Pasadena Unified Schools
Danielle Chupa- Senior Energy Advisor, Cordoba Corporation
Norma Kachigian- Registered Nurse. Huntington Hospital, Pasadena, Ca

Advisory Council Members

Anna Cross, CEO, Yucaipa Performing Arts Center
Denise Nelson Nash, Vice President Scripps Women’s College, Claremont
Prentice Deadrick, Past President, Clazzical Notes
Deborah Lewis, President of Audio Description Solutions
Niall Fordyce,  Attorney,Professional Musician
Brandon Shamim, Professor at California State University Los Angeles, Entrepreneur
Karen Robinson Smith, RN
Mary Sue Price Director Emerita, The Newark Museum
​Susana Bautista, PhD — Interim Senior Curator La Plaza de Cultura y Artes​

Black History Month Program

STILL I RISE

Clazzical Notes will observe Black History Month with a tribute to an icon of our era:  Maya Angelou.
 
An unremarkable beginning of a life would seemingly shape the destiny of Marguerite Johnson.  Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1928, she experienced all the unfortunate challenges of too many Black families:  poverty, her parents’ divorce, relocation to her grandmother’s house, and a brutal rape followed by personal trauma and an aftermath leading to five years of absolute silence.

An early life of bad breaks and unfortunate choices led the young Marguerite to a short-lived choice of prostitution, an early pregnancy and failed marriages. But the world would come to see that this determined young woman, who we revere as Maya Angelou, was not going to let her life be determined by circumstance.

She met people who believed in her and discovered that, although by society’s superficial standards she might have been considered lacking, she had a multitude of talents, especially the ability to write, act, sing and speak eloquently.  She became a gifted teacher by word and example on the importance of self-determination, human decency and female empowerment. She taught us that we each decide who we will become and are not defined by others. Her ability to make words sing with poignancy and hope made her an icon of her generation, loved and respected by people around the world as a poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist
 
Clazzical Notes’ tribute, Still I Rise, will resonate with people of any age who have been marked by society’s judgment: people who desire safety, education and the wish to be productive in this culture, or perhaps have attended schools that cause agony for students who are considered different, or may live in neighborhoods plagued by violence, poverty, or racial stigma, all creating the fear of even trying to thrive.
 
Maya’s Angelou’s brilliant life ended with her death in 2014.  Yet her poetry carries her messages forward in ways relevant to many lives today. Still I Rise will show through music, Song, Spoken Word and expressive movement the importance of courage, self-empowerment and determination.