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| Welcome to ColorBlindMusic Ministries! |
| The mission of ColorBlindMusic Ministries and the artists represented here is to uphold and encourage excellence in presenting God’s Word in music. We're located about 1/2 hour northwest of New York City at 24 Raynor Avenue in Mt. Vernon, NY 10552 Fax: 914 663 8357 ~ Email Us |
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ColorBlindMusic Presents The Fourth Annual Merry Christmas, New York City! 2009 The mission of "Merry Christmas New York City!" is to keep Christ alive in the Christmas celebration. Saturday, December 19, 2009, 2:00pm Alice Tully Hall Starr Theater, Lincoln Center New York, New York Hosted by Emcee Raymond Arroyo www.RaymondArroyo.com Celebrated Author, Journalist and Newscaster from EWTN's "The World Over Live" In a Wonderful Musical Celebration of Christmas with Something Special for Everyone, from the Young to the Young at Heart! To Benefit The Faith and Family Foundation, 501(c)3 not for profit organization assisting families and caregivers of special needs children. |
Lynn Geyer, Founder,
ColorBlindMusic
ColorBlindMusic
| Featuring Internationally Recognized Irish Tenor Mr. Mark Forrest |
A Bit About The Concert.... Producer, Lynn Geyer created “Merry Christmas, New York City!” three years ago as an uplifting musical celebration and reminder of what Christmas is truly meant to be. Reprising his role for the third time as Master of Ceremonies, is award winning journalist, Raymond Arroyo, host of The World Over Live, broadcast on EWTN. Ray always shares a song or two and will be accompanied on piano by our Music Director, Rich Berretta. Rich will also play piano for dancer, Lindsay Carpenter, who will be performing modern dance. Rich is also directing the highly spirited Teen Gospel Choir from Our Lady of Grace Church in the Bronx. An extra treat this year brings to our stage, The Broadway Youth Ensemble, some of New York’s most accomplished and rising young stars, under the direction of Amelia DeMayo and Joseph Baker. Headlining the event this year is acclaimed Irish Tenor, Mark Forrest accompanied on piano by John Paul Kaplan. The profit from the concert will benefit The Faith and Family Foundation, a non denominational 501(c)3, founded by Muriel and Mark Forrest to offer assistance to families and caregivers of children with extraordinary and/or special needs. Learn about their important work and the compelling personal story which prompted them to create this organization. Please visit www.FaithAndFamilyFoundation.org. We invite you to celebrate this blessed season by attending a concert of spirit filled, inspiring music and witness to honor the One who started it all. “Merry Christmas, New York City!” could even be that unique gift you’ve been looking for to share the REAL reason for the season with someone you love! The concert takes place on Saturday, December 19 at 2:00pm in Alice Tully Hall Starr Theatre. Tickets are available at CenterCharge, 212-721- 6500, online at www.LincolnCenter.org or at the Alice Tully Hall Starr Theater Box Office located on Broadway between 65th and 66th Street. Prices: $50 and $75. Discounts available for seniors, students and groups of ten or more. |
And Here I am
in my Red Hat!
See more great
ladies in red and
purple on our
Red Hat page!
in my Red Hat!
See more great
ladies in red and
purple on our
Red Hat page!
Who's Who?
Raymond Arroyo
Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe
as creator and host of EWTN’s The World Over Live. Interviewing highlights include Mel Gibson’s first sit down regarding his controversial
film “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark English language interview with Pope Benedict XVI. He has worked for the Associated Press,
the political team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. He studied under theatre luminaries Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and
Beatrice Straight and is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Arroyo has been featured on "The Today Show", "Good
Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", “CNN Headline News” and is often called upon by FoxNews for expert commentary. His writings
have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. Arroyo is
author of the New York Times Bestseller: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles published
by Doubleday. His current best seller is Mother Angelica: Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures. He resides in Northern Virginia with
his wife Rebecca and their three children. He is currently working on a mystery series and an original musical. <www.RaymondArroyo.com>
Mark Forrest
Mark was born in Dublin and educated at the Royal College of Music, where he received a full scholarship toward his musical studies. He has
15 recordings, one of which he recorded with his Dad, Lawrence. Whether using Irish songs, classic hymns or Broadway’s best inspirational
melodies, Mark challenges his audience to appreciate the importance of their faith and family life in today’s changing society. His glorious
voice has resonated throughout concert halls around the world and he has been honored to sing before Pope John Paul ll and Mother Teresa as
well as other leaders of our time. More than sharing his voice, however, Mark is driven to share the work of the Faith and Family Foundation,
an organization founded by he and his wife Muriel in 1999 after the death of their third son from a severely compromised heart; Francesco lived
a mere five days. Their second son, John Patrick has a rare nerve condition which has caused him to be blind, deaf and confined to a
wheelchair. Two more of his boys have this same condition. Mark and Muriel’s grief was nearly overwhelming but by the grace of God, they
turned their suffering into good through the work of the foundation by assisting other families/caregivers of those with special needs. All
proceeds from Mark’s concerts and CD sales go to the Faith and Family Foundation at 501(c)3 based in Virginia where Mark Muriel and their 7
sons live. Please visit MarkForrest.com
John-Paul Kaplan
Accompanist for Mark Forrest, John-Paul Kaplan is, in his own right, an award-winning pianist, producer, and composer. During his early
classical studies, he achieved top honors on the national competition circuit. John-Paul’s unique interpretive style includes a repertoire of music
ranging from classical and religious to easy listening and popular standards. He has performed for such celebrities as Roger Williams, B.B.
King and Tony Bennett to name a few. Kaplan has performed at parties, hotels, churches, and other public and private events worldwide. In an
article about him, The Chicago Sun-times said “Kaplan holds his own keys to the kingdom, all 88 of them”. He served for six years as a
Director at Chicago’s Stage One Theater and presented his own compositions to an adaptation of Treasure Island. He is currently producing
original music for an upcoming film by Universal Pictures. John-Paul had recorded three CDs and received a Unity Award from UCMVA for
his debut album, This is the Day. His latest, My Favorite Christmas, is a collection of beloved Christmas songs and hymns. Recently, John-Paul
Kaplan was distinguished as a Kawai Recording Artist. His site is jppiano.com.
Rich Berretta
Rich Berretta began his public music career when he was 13 years old by founding a teen choir and youth mass at St. Francis Xavier parish in
the Bronx. By providing contemporary music, he created a social environment that welcomed youth to celebrate the liturgy. Rich also plays
keyboard in the trio Gizmo, and performs in the NewYork area. Currently, Rich plays piano at Holy Rosary parish in the Bronx at the monthly
youth Mass as well as at Our Lady of Grace. Rich's debut album, In the Silence, is an eclectic blend of pop, Christian rock, and gospel. A
graduate of Fordham University, he is a brilliant pianist, trained at the Febbraio Conservatory. He holds the highest recorded international score
in piano from London’s esteemed Trinity School, which awarded him the Licentiate Degree in Piano Performance. www.RichBerretta.com
Our Lady of Grace Teen Gospel Choir
The OLG Teen Gospel Choir, comprised of fifteen singers from Our Lady of Grace parish in the Bronx, sings for a monthly youth mass under the
direction of pianist Rich Berretta, along with percussionist, Alvaro Perdomo and bassist/vocalist Adam Sica. For this performance, George
Ruiz of St. Raymond’s Youth Mass will be playing drums. The choir has performed in parish concerts, as well as several ceremonial Masses
including the installation of Pastor Fr. Levelt Germain. Currently in its third year singing for OLG, the teen choir is thrilled to share its gospel,
R&B and reggae music with NYC in the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall Starr Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Assistant Directors: George Janvier and Marie Scott. Choir Members: Carmen Agosto, Isabelle Bonhomme, Danica Brown, Jania Burley,
Robin-Anne Chisolm, Joshua Damis, Kayle Esterine-Reid, Germayne IIboudo, Afua Laast, Jason Lirano, Erika Lizardo, Amanda Mason
Rene Mitchell, Skye, George Torres, Charlene Vincent.
Lindsay Carpenter
Lindsay is a native of Redding, CT and has been dancing since the age of three. Her training includes The Academy of Ballet Etudes and she’s a
recent grad of Montclair State U. with a BFA in dance, trained in Ballet, Modern and Jazz. Her performances include twelve annual
Nutcrackers. Ballets include Giselle, Swan Lake, La Boutique, and Copella as well as excerpt pieces from Wicked, Seussical, Chicago, and
Hairspray. Lindsay has also performed Babes in Toyland and contemporary ballet pieces choreographed by Christina Fagundes and Medhi
Bahiri. She has also performed in Modern and Jazz pieces by JT Jenkins, Maxine Steinman and Jessie DeMauro at Kassar Theater. She is
currently teaching at Dance Impression in Colt’s Neck, NJ. Previous positions were held at the Broadway Dance Center in Dumont and the
Ridgefield Conservatory in Georgetown.
The Broadway Youth Ensemble, Direction
Amelia DeMayo, Co-Director, Broadway Youth Ensemble with Joseph Baker. Amelia runs a vocal technique program for professional youth,
training children ages 5 - college together with her co-teachers Marianna Karpatova, Gulnara Mitzanova, and Liliana Sotirova. Students credits
include (off Broadway) A Christmas Carol, American Girl Revue, American Girl Circle of Friends. (Broadway, National Tour): Beauty and
the Beast, Billy Elliot, Bye Bye Birdie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Happiness, Les Miserables, The Lion King, The Color Purple, Little House on
the Prairie, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Scrooge the Musical, Shrek, 13, West Side Story, etc. Her students have also been the voices for projects
such as Barbie CDs, Backyardigans, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Kids Bop, etc. Amelia also has written songs and musicals for youth
which have been presented in the Professional Children's Theater Series, co-written and produced by Deb Roberts at the Cultural Dept. at JCC
on the Palisades. Performance credits include: Cats (Grizabella & others), Les Mis: Cosette/ensemble , Evita: Eva Perone, Barbers of Seville:
Rosina, The Marriage of Figaro: Susanna, Un Ballo in Maschera: Oscar. Ms. DeMayo also provides Career Consulting to families with
professional children. Contact Amelia at singamelia@yahoo.com.
Joseph Baker, Co-Director Broadway Youth Ensemble with Amelia DeMayo, has experience as a Conductor and Pianist on Broadway spanning
more than 20 years. Performances include: Shrek, Wicked, The Lion King, Blood Brothers, The Life, Grand Hotel, Starlight Express, The Tap
Dance Kid, Little Shop of Horrors, Big River, Catskills on Broadway, Footloose, and Bells Are Ringing. As an orchestrator, vocal arranger
and/or dance arranger, Joe has been involved with Bubbly Black Girl, The Green Heart and Footloose. He composed the score for the hit film
documentary Mad Hot Ballroom and was composer-arranger-producer for Dittydoodle Works, an acclaimed children’s TV series airing on
Public Television. In his recording studio at Bakerboys Music, Joe has worked on the music of Jeremy Kushnier, (Jersey Girls, Rent, Aida),
Petula Clark, Jonny Peterson, Steven Lutvak, and J. Mark McVey (Les Miserables). He proudly says his best productions have been with his
wife, Renae, which are their son David and daughter, Rozi, who is currently starring in Shrek on Broadway! Contact Joe at
bakerboysmusic@gmail.com.
Glenn Gordon has worked as a pianist/music director on many shows, including the Off- Broadway hit "Forbidden Broadway". Glenn is also a
composer. Over the summer, he collaborated with Amelia DeMayo (lyrics) and Deborah Roberts (book), composing
the score for "It's Me, The Superhero" at Bergen PAC.
Steve Marzullo: New York Credits include the music direction for Once On This Island, Working (Actors' Fund), Having It Almost (NYMF);
Associate Conductor for Mamma Mia, Seussical, Grease (1st revival), Saturday Night, Floyd Collins, A Little Night Music (E.L.T.);
Pianist/Keyboards for Ragtime, Sweeney Todd (1st revival), Smile, Olympus On My Mind, Blame It On The Movies, Proposals, Back to
Bacharach and David as well as the concert versions of Dreamgirls, Funny Girl, Chess, On the Twentieth Century, Company (original cast).
Films: Pianist for Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, Fox's Anastasia. Regional/Tours: Music Direction for I Do, I Do (Cape
Playhouse), Cinderella (St. Louis MUNY), Tell Me On a Sunday (Kennedy Center, starring Alice Ripley), Paper Moon (Paper Mill Playhouse),
Nude, Nude, Totally Nude (Canon Theater, starring Andrea Martin). Composer credits include: Songs from an Unmade Bed, The Audience and
for Audra McDonald: "Burning the Sauce" (Seven Deadly Sins), "I Hid My Love" (Nonesuch Records) and "Some Days" (Donmar Warehouse
Video). Training: Manhattan School of Music.
Gail Pennington Crutchfield - Founding Director, Shuffles Tap and Musical Theater School, NYC - 17 years, www.shufflestap.com. Most
recently she choreographed the world premiere, Freckleface Strawberry, a new musical based on Julianne Moore’s best -selling children’s
book. Her Theater Credits include, Broadway: The Most Happy Fella, 42nd Street, Little Me, Can Can, Music Man, A Christmas Carol
(original cast) at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Rockette . Off Broadway: New York City Premiere: The Bakers Wife (Stephen Schwartz,
York). Broadway Workshop: Kicks (Menken). She has worked closely with many dance and musical theater greats: Bob Fosse, Peter
Gennaro, Michael Kidd, Susan Stroman, Neil Simon, Cy Coleman, Gerry Guitierrez, Alan Menken. Gail and her actor/ director husband, Buddy
make their home on Manhattan’s upper west side with their children - Abigail, Harvard 2010 and Coleman, Princeton 2012. Gail holds a BFA
in Dance from Southern Methodist University.
Steven Nicholas. Assistant Director, BYE. Steven holds a BFA in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. He's thrilled to be back
with Amelia and all the kids after being away for a year singing with Jean Ann Ryan Productions.
Steve Webber (Arranger, Musical Director "Oh, What a Merry Holiday") has appeared across the country as Actor/Singer/Musical director.
Actor: Mr. Snow (Carousel), LM (Pump Boys), the Secret Garden, Cabaret, Evita and many more. As writer/arranger: Jet Set ' 67 (Writer),
American Jubilee, Razzle Dazzle, Small Town Dreams. As teacher: Staff member at HB Studios and American Academy of Dramatic Arts,
Musical Director at Shuffles Tap and Musical Theater School, NY.
The Broadway Youth Ensemble, Performers
Gabrielle Abramow (14) Demarest, NJ. American Girl Theater, The Revue and Circle of Friends. Ambassador for American Girl. Saratoga
Performing Arts Center. Once on this Island, Cherry Lane Theater. A Christmas Carol, Helen Hayes Theater.
Harrison Adler (13) Tenafly, NJ. Credits include Music Man at French Woods Festival and Lord of the Flies and School of Rock at Dwight-
Englewood School.
Nicholas Barasch (11) singing voice of Austin, season 4, The Backyardigans. Broadway revival/cast album of West Side Story, originated
featured role of Kiddo, who sings one of the show’s signature songs, “Somewhere.” On the original cast album.
Kennedy Barber-Fraser (12) Newburgh, NY Credits include Freckleface Strawberry MMAC Productions, The Frog Prince, Palistage Youth
Professional Division and the Ronan Tynan Benefit Concert for Smile Train, Lincoln Center.
Nicole Bocchi: Numerous credits Bdwy and Off Bdwy include Mary Poppins, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas TV/Radio: Regis &
Kelly, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Early Show, Nickelodeon, Wonder Pets, and numerous commercials
Aly Brier (12) proud member of AEA, played Jemima Potts in the first national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Maddie in the Staged
Reading of That’s Andy at the York Theatre, as well as many other roles in theatre, short films, commercials, voiceovers.
Lexie DeBlasio (10) performed as Cindy Lou Who in the musical The Grinch who stole Christmas , Soloist at the US Open, performed in The
Circle of Friends at the American Girl Theater.
Sarah Fleiss (10) credits include French Woods production of Willy Wonka as Violet Beauregarde, the role of Sarah in Guys and Dolls at the
JCC Tenafly Performing Arts and a solo dancer for Ellen Robbins at the Dance Theatre Workshop in NYC.
Melissa Goldberg (10) Briarcliff Manor, NY is currently performing on tour as Eleanor in "The New Kid" with Random Farms Kids Theatre,
credits include; Belle in "Beauty and the Beast Jr," RFKT, Annie in "Annie Jr," RFKT, Charlotte in "Charlottes Web".
Kylie Liya Goldstein. Numerous credits include Little Cosette in the Theater of the Stars tour of Les Mis, How The Grinch Stole Christmas,
2009 film Ninja Assassin, Disney's Step-Up 3D, TV shows, commercials/print ads. Active in Broadway Kids Care!
Gabe Green (11) Haworth, NJ. Credits include Freckleface Strawberry and Peter Pantomime at MMAC and regional productions of Willy
Wonka, The Frog Prince, A Comedy of Errors, Carousel, The Tempest, The King and I, How to Eat Like a Child.
Brooke Greenberg (14) Old Tappan, NJ. Credits include Gabriella in "High School Musical" at Riverspace Arts Theater, Little Lucie and the
street kid in "Two Cities" at Stamford Rich Forum Theater, Molly in "Annie Jr." at the Helen Hayes Theater.
Ethan Haberfield (10). Credits include: "You're a Good man Charlie Brown" (Charlie), "Les Miserables" (Gavroche), Seussical (JoJo), Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang (Jeremy), Scrooge (Tiny Tim)...he also loves skate boarding and tap dancing.
Julia Haberfield (8) has been performing since she was 5. Along with singing, she loves dancing, soccer and art. She has appeared in several
shows like Annie, Seussical and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Morgan Hecker last played Betty Lou Who in the Broadway National Tour, How the Grinch Stole Chistmas and played several lead roles in
American Girl Theater's off Broadway production, Circle of Friends.
Gianna Hodes (12) North West NJ. Principal vocalist Christmas Tree Lighting NYC; Off Broadway leads in “8 Minute Madness Playwrights
Festival” and “Summer Shorties”; lead role of Eleanor in the original musical “The New Kid”, Random Farms on Tour.
Grace Isaacman (10) NYC. Played Snow White in “Snow White” at RFKT, Tarrytown, NY; performed in “Freckleface Strawberry” and was
Tinkerbell in “Peter Pantomime” for MMAC Theatre, NYC; performed in “Phantom Tollbooth” for iTheatrics in NYC.
Chantylla Johnson: Original cast The Color Purple as Young Nettie, has performed the role of Young Nala in Three Companies of Disney The
Lion King, on Broadway, The American National Gazelle Tour and International Tour in China to name but a few.
Gillian Koch (9) Demarest NJ credits include; vocal soloist at US Open, performed as Achoo in "Snow White" at Roy Arias Theatre, Molly in
"Anne" at Helen Hayes Youth Theatre, and Sally in "Your A Good Man Charlie Brown" at the Palisades Youth Theatre.
Amari Rose Leigh (11) NYC; Credits include Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Zonia Loomis).
TV: "Law & Order: SVU,"and "I Can Do It" (Nickelodeon); print and television commercials.
Rebecca Marlowe (11) Suffern, NY. Favorite roles include Estelle, The Sign of the Seahorse at the Kennedy Center, Rooster in Annie at the
Helen Hayes Youth Theater, various roles in the Nutcracker and in MTI Broadway Jr. Choreography DVDs.
Samantha Maza (10) New Jersey, performed in "Happiness" at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse Theater, played Baloo in "Jungle Book" at
Tarrytown Music Hall, and appeared in "The People Garden" at the York Theater.
Jenny Mollet (12) NYC. Credits include The Color Purple on Broadway, Dorothy in The Wiz and Samantha in the New Kid for RFKT. Jenny,
who has Type 1 Diabetes is proud to be a NY delegate to the Children’s Congress 2009 meeting with President Obama.
Chiara Navarra. Broadway’s in My Life, Annie at Papermill Playhouse, The Me Nobody Knows at Vineyard Theatre, Steve Marzullo and
Friends at Birdland, Gala of Divas at Bergenpac, Norman’s Ark at Theatrefest, Stars of Tomorrow at Apollo among others.
Danielle Resheff (11) The Nutcracker Suite, GBA; The New Kid Touring Company, RFKT; Freckleface Strawberry, MMAC; Film: Dancing
Duels(lead); RFKT: 12 Productions including Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer and others.
Athena Ripka. Credits include How The Grinch Stole Christmas and White Christmas. American Girls' Circle of Friends, The Wizard of Oz at
Madison Square Garden, Hurricane and Freshly Tossed (NYMF). NYC Ballet Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty.
Chloë Roe’s favorite Film, TV and Theater credits include: In Vivo: Through the Looking Glass, Under Jacob’s Ladder, Celebrity Ghost
Stories, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Charlie Brown.
Danielle Roman (12) Haworth, NJ. Beauty and the Beast as Luminere, Christmas Carol as Tiny Tim and The Sound of Music as Gretl, all at the
Helen Hayes Youth Theatre and many other theatrical productions in the tri-state area.
Bianca Rose (9), credits include: several performances for Random Farms Kids Theater including the upcoming production of Disney's Beauty
and the Beast Jr, and many past RFKT roles. TV credits include PBS Kids, a Feeding America PSA & "The 10 Show".
Lina Silver (11) NYC, Lincoln Center Theater's musical Happiness, Shakespeare in the Park, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Broadway League's
preview concert 101 Dalmatians, Circle of Friends at The American Girl Theater, member of Tap City Youth Ensemble.
Rachel Stamberg (11) Closter, NJ. Currently she can be heard in Nickelodeon’s “Big Green Help" campaign, on Radio for Disney Destinations
"Holiday 09" and will be Logainne in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at The Eric Brown Theater.
Elon Van Buckley (13) Brooklyn NY. Played Reuben Scott at the Belasco in Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Kidzt Theatre in Jungle Book and
Seussical. TV includes: Dr Martin Luther King Jr Concert and the Ellen Degeneres Show with Broadway Dance Center.
Kayla Vanderbilt (12) Credits include Law & Order episode, Masquerade. SonyTV pilot, Judge Karen Francis. Modeling: Danskin, Energie.
Baby June in Gypsy. Westchester Theater, Amahl & The Night Visitors. Virginia Sanford Theater, Sound of Music.
Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe
as creator and host of EWTN’s The World Over Live. Interviewing highlights include Mel Gibson’s first sit down regarding his controversial
film “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark English language interview with Pope Benedict XVI. He has worked for the Associated Press,
the political team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. He studied under theatre luminaries Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and
Beatrice Straight and is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Arroyo has been featured on "The Today Show", "Good
Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", “CNN Headline News” and is often called upon by FoxNews for expert commentary. His writings
have been published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. Arroyo is
author of the New York Times Bestseller: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles published
by Doubleday. His current best seller is Mother Angelica: Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures. He resides in Northern Virginia with
his wife Rebecca and their three children. He is currently working on a mystery series and an original musical. <www.RaymondArroyo.com>
Mark Forrest
Mark was born in Dublin and educated at the Royal College of Music, where he received a full scholarship toward his musical studies. He has
15 recordings, one of which he recorded with his Dad, Lawrence. Whether using Irish songs, classic hymns or Broadway’s best inspirational
melodies, Mark challenges his audience to appreciate the importance of their faith and family life in today’s changing society. His glorious
voice has resonated throughout concert halls around the world and he has been honored to sing before Pope John Paul ll and Mother Teresa as
well as other leaders of our time. More than sharing his voice, however, Mark is driven to share the work of the Faith and Family Foundation,
an organization founded by he and his wife Muriel in 1999 after the death of their third son from a severely compromised heart; Francesco lived
a mere five days. Their second son, John Patrick has a rare nerve condition which has caused him to be blind, deaf and confined to a
wheelchair. Two more of his boys have this same condition. Mark and Muriel’s grief was nearly overwhelming but by the grace of God, they
turned their suffering into good through the work of the foundation by assisting other families/caregivers of those with special needs. All
proceeds from Mark’s concerts and CD sales go to the Faith and Family Foundation at 501(c)3 based in Virginia where Mark Muriel and their 7
sons live. Please visit MarkForrest.com
John-Paul Kaplan
Accompanist for Mark Forrest, John-Paul Kaplan is, in his own right, an award-winning pianist, producer, and composer. During his early
classical studies, he achieved top honors on the national competition circuit. John-Paul’s unique interpretive style includes a repertoire of music
ranging from classical and religious to easy listening and popular standards. He has performed for such celebrities as Roger Williams, B.B.
King and Tony Bennett to name a few. Kaplan has performed at parties, hotels, churches, and other public and private events worldwide. In an
article about him, The Chicago Sun-times said “Kaplan holds his own keys to the kingdom, all 88 of them”. He served for six years as a
Director at Chicago’s Stage One Theater and presented his own compositions to an adaptation of Treasure Island. He is currently producing
original music for an upcoming film by Universal Pictures. John-Paul had recorded three CDs and received a Unity Award from UCMVA for
his debut album, This is the Day. His latest, My Favorite Christmas, is a collection of beloved Christmas songs and hymns. Recently, John-Paul
Kaplan was distinguished as a Kawai Recording Artist. His site is jppiano.com.
Rich Berretta
Rich Berretta began his public music career when he was 13 years old by founding a teen choir and youth mass at St. Francis Xavier parish in
the Bronx. By providing contemporary music, he created a social environment that welcomed youth to celebrate the liturgy. Rich also plays
keyboard in the trio Gizmo, and performs in the NewYork area. Currently, Rich plays piano at Holy Rosary parish in the Bronx at the monthly
youth Mass as well as at Our Lady of Grace. Rich's debut album, In the Silence, is an eclectic blend of pop, Christian rock, and gospel. A
graduate of Fordham University, he is a brilliant pianist, trained at the Febbraio Conservatory. He holds the highest recorded international score
in piano from London’s esteemed Trinity School, which awarded him the Licentiate Degree in Piano Performance. www.RichBerretta.com
Our Lady of Grace Teen Gospel Choir
The OLG Teen Gospel Choir, comprised of fifteen singers from Our Lady of Grace parish in the Bronx, sings for a monthly youth mass under the
direction of pianist Rich Berretta, along with percussionist, Alvaro Perdomo and bassist/vocalist Adam Sica. For this performance, George
Ruiz of St. Raymond’s Youth Mass will be playing drums. The choir has performed in parish concerts, as well as several ceremonial Masses
including the installation of Pastor Fr. Levelt Germain. Currently in its third year singing for OLG, the teen choir is thrilled to share its gospel,
R&B and reggae music with NYC in the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall Starr Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Assistant Directors: George Janvier and Marie Scott. Choir Members: Carmen Agosto, Isabelle Bonhomme, Danica Brown, Jania Burley,
Robin-Anne Chisolm, Joshua Damis, Kayle Esterine-Reid, Germayne IIboudo, Afua Laast, Jason Lirano, Erika Lizardo, Amanda Mason
Rene Mitchell, Skye, George Torres, Charlene Vincent.
Lindsay Carpenter
Lindsay is a native of Redding, CT and has been dancing since the age of three. Her training includes The Academy of Ballet Etudes and she’s a
recent grad of Montclair State U. with a BFA in dance, trained in Ballet, Modern and Jazz. Her performances include twelve annual
Nutcrackers. Ballets include Giselle, Swan Lake, La Boutique, and Copella as well as excerpt pieces from Wicked, Seussical, Chicago, and
Hairspray. Lindsay has also performed Babes in Toyland and contemporary ballet pieces choreographed by Christina Fagundes and Medhi
Bahiri. She has also performed in Modern and Jazz pieces by JT Jenkins, Maxine Steinman and Jessie DeMauro at Kassar Theater. She is
currently teaching at Dance Impression in Colt’s Neck, NJ. Previous positions were held at the Broadway Dance Center in Dumont and the
Ridgefield Conservatory in Georgetown.
The Broadway Youth Ensemble, Direction
Amelia DeMayo, Co-Director, Broadway Youth Ensemble with Joseph Baker. Amelia runs a vocal technique program for professional youth,
training children ages 5 - college together with her co-teachers Marianna Karpatova, Gulnara Mitzanova, and Liliana Sotirova. Students credits
include (off Broadway) A Christmas Carol, American Girl Revue, American Girl Circle of Friends. (Broadway, National Tour): Beauty and
the Beast, Billy Elliot, Bye Bye Birdie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Happiness, Les Miserables, The Lion King, The Color Purple, Little House on
the Prairie, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Scrooge the Musical, Shrek, 13, West Side Story, etc. Her students have also been the voices for projects
such as Barbie CDs, Backyardigans, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Kids Bop, etc. Amelia also has written songs and musicals for youth
which have been presented in the Professional Children's Theater Series, co-written and produced by Deb Roberts at the Cultural Dept. at JCC
on the Palisades. Performance credits include: Cats (Grizabella & others), Les Mis: Cosette/ensemble , Evita: Eva Perone, Barbers of Seville:
Rosina, The Marriage of Figaro: Susanna, Un Ballo in Maschera: Oscar. Ms. DeMayo also provides Career Consulting to families with
professional children. Contact Amelia at singamelia@yahoo.com.
Joseph Baker, Co-Director Broadway Youth Ensemble with Amelia DeMayo, has experience as a Conductor and Pianist on Broadway spanning
more than 20 years. Performances include: Shrek, Wicked, The Lion King, Blood Brothers, The Life, Grand Hotel, Starlight Express, The Tap
Dance Kid, Little Shop of Horrors, Big River, Catskills on Broadway, Footloose, and Bells Are Ringing. As an orchestrator, vocal arranger
and/or dance arranger, Joe has been involved with Bubbly Black Girl, The Green Heart and Footloose. He composed the score for the hit film
documentary Mad Hot Ballroom and was composer-arranger-producer for Dittydoodle Works, an acclaimed children’s TV series airing on
Public Television. In his recording studio at Bakerboys Music, Joe has worked on the music of Jeremy Kushnier, (Jersey Girls, Rent, Aida),
Petula Clark, Jonny Peterson, Steven Lutvak, and J. Mark McVey (Les Miserables). He proudly says his best productions have been with his
wife, Renae, which are their son David and daughter, Rozi, who is currently starring in Shrek on Broadway! Contact Joe at
bakerboysmusic@gmail.com.
Glenn Gordon has worked as a pianist/music director on many shows, including the Off- Broadway hit "Forbidden Broadway". Glenn is also a
composer. Over the summer, he collaborated with Amelia DeMayo (lyrics) and Deborah Roberts (book), composing
the score for "It's Me, The Superhero" at Bergen PAC.
Steve Marzullo: New York Credits include the music direction for Once On This Island, Working (Actors' Fund), Having It Almost (NYMF);
Associate Conductor for Mamma Mia, Seussical, Grease (1st revival), Saturday Night, Floyd Collins, A Little Night Music (E.L.T.);
Pianist/Keyboards for Ragtime, Sweeney Todd (1st revival), Smile, Olympus On My Mind, Blame It On The Movies, Proposals, Back to
Bacharach and David as well as the concert versions of Dreamgirls, Funny Girl, Chess, On the Twentieth Century, Company (original cast).
Films: Pianist for Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, Fox's Anastasia. Regional/Tours: Music Direction for I Do, I Do (Cape
Playhouse), Cinderella (St. Louis MUNY), Tell Me On a Sunday (Kennedy Center, starring Alice Ripley), Paper Moon (Paper Mill Playhouse),
Nude, Nude, Totally Nude (Canon Theater, starring Andrea Martin). Composer credits include: Songs from an Unmade Bed, The Audience and
for Audra McDonald: "Burning the Sauce" (Seven Deadly Sins), "I Hid My Love" (Nonesuch Records) and "Some Days" (Donmar Warehouse
Video). Training: Manhattan School of Music.
Gail Pennington Crutchfield - Founding Director, Shuffles Tap and Musical Theater School, NYC - 17 years, www.shufflestap.com. Most
recently she choreographed the world premiere, Freckleface Strawberry, a new musical based on Julianne Moore’s best -selling children’s
book. Her Theater Credits include, Broadway: The Most Happy Fella, 42nd Street, Little Me, Can Can, Music Man, A Christmas Carol
(original cast) at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Rockette . Off Broadway: New York City Premiere: The Bakers Wife (Stephen Schwartz,
York). Broadway Workshop: Kicks (Menken). She has worked closely with many dance and musical theater greats: Bob Fosse, Peter
Gennaro, Michael Kidd, Susan Stroman, Neil Simon, Cy Coleman, Gerry Guitierrez, Alan Menken. Gail and her actor/ director husband, Buddy
make their home on Manhattan’s upper west side with their children - Abigail, Harvard 2010 and Coleman, Princeton 2012. Gail holds a BFA
in Dance from Southern Methodist University.
Steven Nicholas. Assistant Director, BYE. Steven holds a BFA in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. He's thrilled to be back
with Amelia and all the kids after being away for a year singing with Jean Ann Ryan Productions.
Steve Webber (Arranger, Musical Director "Oh, What a Merry Holiday") has appeared across the country as Actor/Singer/Musical director.
Actor: Mr. Snow (Carousel), LM (Pump Boys), the Secret Garden, Cabaret, Evita and many more. As writer/arranger: Jet Set ' 67 (Writer),
American Jubilee, Razzle Dazzle, Small Town Dreams. As teacher: Staff member at HB Studios and American Academy of Dramatic Arts,
Musical Director at Shuffles Tap and Musical Theater School, NY.
The Broadway Youth Ensemble, Performers
Gabrielle Abramow (14) Demarest, NJ. American Girl Theater, The Revue and Circle of Friends. Ambassador for American Girl. Saratoga
Performing Arts Center. Once on this Island, Cherry Lane Theater. A Christmas Carol, Helen Hayes Theater.
Harrison Adler (13) Tenafly, NJ. Credits include Music Man at French Woods Festival and Lord of the Flies and School of Rock at Dwight-
Englewood School.
Nicholas Barasch (11) singing voice of Austin, season 4, The Backyardigans. Broadway revival/cast album of West Side Story, originated
featured role of Kiddo, who sings one of the show’s signature songs, “Somewhere.” On the original cast album.
Kennedy Barber-Fraser (12) Newburgh, NY Credits include Freckleface Strawberry MMAC Productions, The Frog Prince, Palistage Youth
Professional Division and the Ronan Tynan Benefit Concert for Smile Train, Lincoln Center.
Nicole Bocchi: Numerous credits Bdwy and Off Bdwy include Mary Poppins, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas TV/Radio: Regis &
Kelly, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Early Show, Nickelodeon, Wonder Pets, and numerous commercials
Aly Brier (12) proud member of AEA, played Jemima Potts in the first national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Maddie in the Staged
Reading of That’s Andy at the York Theatre, as well as many other roles in theatre, short films, commercials, voiceovers.
Lexie DeBlasio (10) performed as Cindy Lou Who in the musical The Grinch who stole Christmas , Soloist at the US Open, performed in The
Circle of Friends at the American Girl Theater.
Sarah Fleiss (10) credits include French Woods production of Willy Wonka as Violet Beauregarde, the role of Sarah in Guys and Dolls at the
JCC Tenafly Performing Arts and a solo dancer for Ellen Robbins at the Dance Theatre Workshop in NYC.
Melissa Goldberg (10) Briarcliff Manor, NY is currently performing on tour as Eleanor in "The New Kid" with Random Farms Kids Theatre,
credits include; Belle in "Beauty and the Beast Jr," RFKT, Annie in "Annie Jr," RFKT, Charlotte in "Charlottes Web".
Kylie Liya Goldstein. Numerous credits include Little Cosette in the Theater of the Stars tour of Les Mis, How The Grinch Stole Christmas,
2009 film Ninja Assassin, Disney's Step-Up 3D, TV shows, commercials/print ads. Active in Broadway Kids Care!
Gabe Green (11) Haworth, NJ. Credits include Freckleface Strawberry and Peter Pantomime at MMAC and regional productions of Willy
Wonka, The Frog Prince, A Comedy of Errors, Carousel, The Tempest, The King and I, How to Eat Like a Child.
Brooke Greenberg (14) Old Tappan, NJ. Credits include Gabriella in "High School Musical" at Riverspace Arts Theater, Little Lucie and the
street kid in "Two Cities" at Stamford Rich Forum Theater, Molly in "Annie Jr." at the Helen Hayes Theater.
Ethan Haberfield (10). Credits include: "You're a Good man Charlie Brown" (Charlie), "Les Miserables" (Gavroche), Seussical (JoJo), Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang (Jeremy), Scrooge (Tiny Tim)...he also loves skate boarding and tap dancing.
Julia Haberfield (8) has been performing since she was 5. Along with singing, she loves dancing, soccer and art. She has appeared in several
shows like Annie, Seussical and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Morgan Hecker last played Betty Lou Who in the Broadway National Tour, How the Grinch Stole Chistmas and played several lead roles in
American Girl Theater's off Broadway production, Circle of Friends.
Gianna Hodes (12) North West NJ. Principal vocalist Christmas Tree Lighting NYC; Off Broadway leads in “8 Minute Madness Playwrights
Festival” and “Summer Shorties”; lead role of Eleanor in the original musical “The New Kid”, Random Farms on Tour.
Grace Isaacman (10) NYC. Played Snow White in “Snow White” at RFKT, Tarrytown, NY; performed in “Freckleface Strawberry” and was
Tinkerbell in “Peter Pantomime” for MMAC Theatre, NYC; performed in “Phantom Tollbooth” for iTheatrics in NYC.
Chantylla Johnson: Original cast The Color Purple as Young Nettie, has performed the role of Young Nala in Three Companies of Disney The
Lion King, on Broadway, The American National Gazelle Tour and International Tour in China to name but a few.
Gillian Koch (9) Demarest NJ credits include; vocal soloist at US Open, performed as Achoo in "Snow White" at Roy Arias Theatre, Molly in
"Anne" at Helen Hayes Youth Theatre, and Sally in "Your A Good Man Charlie Brown" at the Palisades Youth Theatre.
Amari Rose Leigh (11) NYC; Credits include Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Zonia Loomis).
TV: "Law & Order: SVU,"and "I Can Do It" (Nickelodeon); print and television commercials.
Rebecca Marlowe (11) Suffern, NY. Favorite roles include Estelle, The Sign of the Seahorse at the Kennedy Center, Rooster in Annie at the
Helen Hayes Youth Theater, various roles in the Nutcracker and in MTI Broadway Jr. Choreography DVDs.
Samantha Maza (10) New Jersey, performed in "Happiness" at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse Theater, played Baloo in "Jungle Book" at
Tarrytown Music Hall, and appeared in "The People Garden" at the York Theater.
Jenny Mollet (12) NYC. Credits include The Color Purple on Broadway, Dorothy in The Wiz and Samantha in the New Kid for RFKT. Jenny,
who has Type 1 Diabetes is proud to be a NY delegate to the Children’s Congress 2009 meeting with President Obama.
Chiara Navarra. Broadway’s in My Life, Annie at Papermill Playhouse, The Me Nobody Knows at Vineyard Theatre, Steve Marzullo and
Friends at Birdland, Gala of Divas at Bergenpac, Norman’s Ark at Theatrefest, Stars of Tomorrow at Apollo among others.
Danielle Resheff (11) The Nutcracker Suite, GBA; The New Kid Touring Company, RFKT; Freckleface Strawberry, MMAC; Film: Dancing
Duels(lead); RFKT: 12 Productions including Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer and others.
Athena Ripka. Credits include How The Grinch Stole Christmas and White Christmas. American Girls' Circle of Friends, The Wizard of Oz at
Madison Square Garden, Hurricane and Freshly Tossed (NYMF). NYC Ballet Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty.
Chloë Roe’s favorite Film, TV and Theater credits include: In Vivo: Through the Looking Glass, Under Jacob’s Ladder, Celebrity Ghost
Stories, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Charlie Brown.
Danielle Roman (12) Haworth, NJ. Beauty and the Beast as Luminere, Christmas Carol as Tiny Tim and The Sound of Music as Gretl, all at the
Helen Hayes Youth Theatre and many other theatrical productions in the tri-state area.
Bianca Rose (9), credits include: several performances for Random Farms Kids Theater including the upcoming production of Disney's Beauty
and the Beast Jr, and many past RFKT roles. TV credits include PBS Kids, a Feeding America PSA & "The 10 Show".
Lina Silver (11) NYC, Lincoln Center Theater's musical Happiness, Shakespeare in the Park, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Broadway League's
preview concert 101 Dalmatians, Circle of Friends at The American Girl Theater, member of Tap City Youth Ensemble.
Rachel Stamberg (11) Closter, NJ. Currently she can be heard in Nickelodeon’s “Big Green Help" campaign, on Radio for Disney Destinations
"Holiday 09" and will be Logainne in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at The Eric Brown Theater.
Elon Van Buckley (13) Brooklyn NY. Played Reuben Scott at the Belasco in Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Kidzt Theatre in Jungle Book and
Seussical. TV includes: Dr Martin Luther King Jr Concert and the Ellen Degeneres Show with Broadway Dance Center.
Kayla Vanderbilt (12) Credits include Law & Order episode, Masquerade. SonyTV pilot, Judge Karen Francis. Modeling: Danskin, Energie.
Baby June in Gypsy. Westchester Theater, Amahl & The Night Visitors. Virginia Sanford Theater, Sound of Music.
| Repertoire Act I Our Lady of Grace Teen Gospel Choir Rich Berretta/Piano, Adam Sica/Bass, George Ruiz/Drums In the Sanctuary Soon and Very Soon Lindsay Carpenter, Modern Dance Rich Berretta, Accompanist Amanda’s Song composed by Rich Berretta Jennifer Mollett Steven Marzullo, Accompanist Note to God The Broadway Youth Ensemble Joseph Baker, Accompanist Merry Christmas Medley by Steven Weber Alone in the Universe/It's Possible Mark Forrest John Paul Kaplan, Accompanist You Raise Me Up Scorn Not His Simplicity Danny Boy The Impossible Dream ACT II Raymond Arroyo Rich Berretta, Accompanist It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas Our Lady of Grace Teen Gospel Choir Rich Berretta/Piano, Adam Sica/Bass, George Ruiz/Drums Hark the Herald Angels Sing Joyful, Joyful Lindsay Carpenter, Dance Rich Berretta, Accompanist Do You Hear What I Hear? The Broadway Youth Ensemble A Broadway Christmas Montage: Christmas Day, We Need a Little Christmas, A New Deal for Christmas, Turkey Lurkey Time, There's a Place Called Home. Joseph Baker, Accompanist Some Days, Music by Steven Marzullo, Lyrics by James Baldwin Featuring Chiara Navarra with Mr. Marzullo at the piano. A Broadway Christmas Montage: God Bless Us Everyone from A Christmas Carol, Joseph Baker, Accompanist Mark Forrest John Paul Kaplan, Accompanist Joseph’s Song Glory of Christmas Instrumental Medley: White Christmas, Carol of the Bells, Angels We Have Heard on High Silent Night / Night of Silence O Come All Ye Faithful O Holy Night with the Broadway Youth Ensemble Company and Audience Joy to the World! |
