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HEATHER FERRARI | Soprano + Founder
Heather has been singing and loving the holidays since she was a child. She graduated with a BA in Theater from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and studied music at University College Cork in Ireland. She has performed in numerous theatrical productions as well as television, film, commercials and print work. Heather is passionate about keeping the arts alive and accessible which is why she started Songful Artists! She lives happily with her husband, their two young boys and sweet dog. Hometown | Amherst, MA Favorite Holiday Food | The lobster her dad makes every Christmas Eve. Favorite Thing About Caroling | Seeing the joy on people's faces when they hear a song that reminds them of their childhood. |
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TOPHER LENGERICH | Tenor + Artistic Director
Topher returns to carol with Songful Artists for his 9th season with The Mistletones, directing operations for all of New York City. An avid world traveler, he spends much of the year around the globe directing with Royal Caribbean Productions, and always looks forward to returning to NYC for the holidays. Topher has performed with Tokyo Disney, on TV and film, in national tours and looks forward to spreading holiday cheer in every way possible! Hometown | Littleton, CO Favorite Holiday Song | I'll Be Home For Christmas Favorite Holiday Food | Mini Marble Cupcakes Favorite Thing About Caroling | Making people smile. |
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CRAIG SIMONETTI | Vocal Percussionist, Virtual Director + Arranger
Craig Simonetti, music director and beatboxer for Blacklight, specializes in educating young a cappella performers, delivering workshops as a beatboxer and as a member of Blacklight. As a solo beatboxer, Craig has competed in the 2017 and 2018 East Coast Beatbox Battle and placed 3rd in the 2018 Boston Beatbox Battle. His beatbox tag team, Forest Fire, has placed 4th at the 2017 American Beatbox Championship and the 2017 Great North Beatbox Battle in Toronto, Canada. Craig and his tag team partner, Michael Wingate, have taught their beatboxing class called Face Music: Doing More with Beatboxing in A Cappella at the 2018 SoJam and BOSS a cappella festivals. Craig has his BMus in Vocal Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his Master's degree in Vocal Pedagogy from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. / craigsimonetti.com Hometown | Salem, MA Favorite Holiday Song | All I Want For Christmas Is You Favorite Thing About Caroling | Knowing these songs so well that I get to play around with them while I sing with my friends. |
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ADRIENNE PAQUIN | Soprano
Adrienne is thrilled to be back singing with Songful Artists after a wonderful first season. A graduate from Columbia's MFA Acting program, her holiday season began early this year with a recent production of "One Christmas Eve" at FringeNYC (she may have been dressed as an elf). She can be seen in "Friends From College" on Netflix in the new year. Various regional theatre credits and proud AEA member. / adriennepaquin.com / @adriennepaquin Hometown | Hull, MA Favorite Holiday Food | Hood Eggnog Favorite Holiday Movie | White Christmas Favorite Thing About Caroling | Sharing the holiday joy and seeing the smiles on people's faces. |
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ANYA FETCHER | Soprano
Anya is thrilled to be caroling with Songful Artists for her fourth holiday season. She moved to NYC to pursue a career in music and theatre, and loves to sing anytime and anywhere she can. When she's not performing, she spends her time volunteering at the BARC animal shelter, serving oysters at The Mermaid Inn, and exploring the city. Hometown | St. Paul, MN Favorite Holiday Food | Allllllll the holiday cookies! Favorite Holiday Movie | Elf Favorite Thing About Caroling | Sharing her voice with others and getting excited about music and the season! |
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BOB BONHAGE | Bass
From George Jones to Bob Cratchit, Bob has performed across the country and back to New York Again. He has been brushing off his fa's and la's, along with his best Santa hat because he believes when the scarves come out so do the Christmas tunes! There is nothing he likes better than to spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear! bobbonhage.com Hometown | West Chester, PA Favorite Holiday Song | Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth Duet Favorite Holiday Movie | Preacher's Wife Favorite Thing About Caroling | It can inspire everyday people to sing with us in public -- no other season can inspire so much joy! |
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CHRIS KOTERA | Tenor
Gleefully joining Songful Artists for his third season, Chris knows the best way to spread Holiday cheer is by singing loud for all to hear! Thankful to be in NYC for the holidays, Chris is usually traveling - performing on tours and in regional theaters - most notably the National Tour of Evita and Cabaret, and recently Singin' in the Rain at North Shore Music Theatre (u/s Don Lockwood). Graduate of UCB and the University of Oklahoma, BFA Musical Theatre Performance. @ChrisKotera on Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat Hometown | Shawnee, KS Favorite Holiday Food | Aunt Emily's Green Marshmallow Cereal Wreaths (Yes, he's from Kansas and has an Auntie Em.) |
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DAN REARDON | Tenor
Dan is a New York based actor, singer, and dancer. Regional credits include Young Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Future in A Christmas Carol (NSMT), Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever (Arvada Center), Tulsa in Gypsy (OSTC), and Bert in Mary Poppins (Sierra Rep and Wheelock Family Theatre). Dan holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and is a member of Actors' Equity Association. / danreardonnyc.com Hometown | Wakefield, MA Favorite Holiday Movie | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Favorite Thing About Caroling | The joy and light caroling can bring - both to the listener and the singer. |
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DEBRALEE DACO | Alto
Debralee recently made her Off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater in David Byrne's disco poperetta, Here Lies Love. She also continues to perform with the trio United We Sing entertaining our U.S. military and veterans across the country. She is an active swimmer, runner, cyclist, yogi, surfer, paddle boarder, dancer, and musician. She currently lives in New York City. Hometown | Scott Air Force Base, IL Favorite Holiday Movie | It's A Wonderful Life Favorite Thing About Caroling | Singing in beautiful harmony and breaking the rush of the holiday season with Christmas Carols for all of those who choose to stop and listen! |
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ERIN WEGNER BROOKS | Soprano
Erin loves singing with Songful Artists! She toured with the Broadway National Tour of Young Frankenstein under the direction of Susan Stroman and as a Principal Vocalist in Cirque Dreams. Off-Broadway: Wuthering Heights, A Stoop on Orchard Street, Pinkalicious. Regional: Legally Blonde (Vivienne), Baby (Pam), Seussical (Mayzie), and High School Musical (Gabriella). Commercial / VO: GEICO, Wendy's, Clinique, MiO, Kayak.com, Warner's Bras, and AZO. erinwegner.com Hometown | Severna Park, MD Favorite Holiday Song | Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Favorite Things About Caroling | Caroling has the magical ability to take people back to a special time or memory. It reminds them of the simple joys of the holiday season. |
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JULIA MOSS | Alto
Julia is a NYC based Singer / Dancer / Actress / Teaching Artist. She has had the pleasure of singing alto harmonies on live TV, commercials, on stage and at private events for many years with this special group Songful Artists. She enjoys creating choreography and giving direction to the next generation of aspiring young performing artists. Julia is a graduate of UNCSA and Otterbein University. Hometown | Winston-Salem, NC Favorite Holiday Song | Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Favorite Holiday Movie | Die Hard Favorite Thing About Caroling | Watching the audience when MC Beats sends them into magical disbelief with her vocal percussive stylings! |
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JULIE PETERSON | Soprano
Julie is thrilled to be singing for the second year with the lovely Songful Artists! She is currently performing in the Off Broadway show "The Book of Merman" as Ethel Merman u/s. Julie loves singing Christmas carols and roasting chestnuts over an open fire! She attended the Boston Conservatory for Musical Theatre. / juliesommer.com Hometown | Chicago, IL Favorite Holiday Song | The Christmas Song Favorite Holiday Food | Popcorn Favorite Thing About Caroling | I love caroling because it brings so much joy to people, I wish that it could be Christmas all year round! |
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MALLORY HAWKS | Alto + Songful Artists Web Designer
Mallory is thrilled to be caroling for a fifth season with Songful Artists! She enjoys work-shopping new musicals and plays, designing websites (like this one), making silly YouTube videos and can be seen in several Regional and National commercials, most recently Subway, Skinny Cow and Aspen Dental. She has performed all over the world and is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. malloryhawks.com Hometown | Overland Park, KS Favorite Holiday Food | Rhubarb Pie! Favorite Holiday Movie | Little Women Favorite Thing About Caroling | Singing intricate, beautiful harmonies and seeing faces of all ages light up! |
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MEGHAN COSTA | Vocal Percussionist
Meghan Costa, better known as MC Beats, made a grand entry into the beatbox community when she was ranked 3rd best female beatboxer in the world at the 2012 BeatBox Battle World Championship in Berlin, Germany. Her most recent award was at the 2016 Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Competition where she won Best Vocal Percussionist. A self-taught beatbox artist, MC Beats' sound is most influenced by electronic dance music but she also performs R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop songs. MC Beats continues to perform as a solo artist, battles as a beatboxer, judges beatbox battles, and competes in a cappella competitions. One of her a cappella groups, Stiletta, is the current National A Cappella Champion of Harmony Sweepstakes. Hometown | Shirley, NY Favorite Holiday Food | Vegetable Medley (Lots of veggies and melted cheese, yum!) Favorite Thing About Caroling | Adding beats to songs that do not traditionally have beats, or changing the beats and genres of songs that already had beats (when permitted). |
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MEL DANEKE | Vocal Percussionist
Mel is a contemporary performer, arranger, producer, and instructor. She graduated from Ithaca College with a B.M. in Vocal Performance, minor in Audio Production, and also studied Music Education. With the vocal band, Musae, she's traveled extensively performing at festivals in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and all over the US. She regularly performs with NBC's The Sing-Off's Element and will act as the beatbox substitute for the NYC vocal band, Stiletta. Under her artist name, Del Manks, she releases covers and original work. Her works and CARA-nominated production have appeared on compilations like Sing, BOHSA, Voices Only, and Voices Only Forte. Mel regularly arranges, engineers, and produces for The Vocal Company. Hometown | Branchburg, NJ Favorite Holiday Song | Harry Connick Jr.'s version of Sleigh Ride Favorite Thing About Caroling | "The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear." - Elf |
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NATALIE STORRS | Alto
Natalie is a New York Based performer and certified holiday OBSESSOR! She has only been in NYC for two years, but has fallen head-over-heels for the city in December and the wintry joy that abounds! Natalie has been lucky enough to perform on stages from London to Los Angeles since graduating from the University of Southern California, both touring with Broadway shows and in Regional Theatre, and is now enjoying producing and directing in NYC as well. A very merry and bright Holiday Season to you! nataliestorrs.com @natstorrs on Instagram and Twitter Hometown | Santa Rosa Valley, CA Favorite Holiday Food | Hot Cocoa w/ Peppermint Schnapps! Favorite Thing About Caroling | Smiles on faces -- there is nothing like sharing the joy of the holidays through song -- everyone feels like a kid again! |
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NATE MORGAN | Tenor
Born and raised in upstate New York, Nate's professional performing career started when he booked Baz Luhrmann's production of La Boheme on Broadway. Since then, he's participated in both classical and musical theater productions such as The Marriage of Figaro (Figaro) and Street Scene (Ensemble). With a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from NYU, Nate's versatile musicality extends beyond classical and musical theater repertoire to pop, R&B, and Christmas carols! Hometown | Brooklyn, NY Favorite Holiday Food | Gingerbread Favorite Thing About Caroling | Seeing smiles on faces and bringing people together through music. |
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OLIVIA PETZY | Soprano
Olivia is thrilled to be back with Songful Artists. She's an improviser, writer, and doula (surprise!) in New York City. Olivia is a regular performer at comedy venues all over the city, teaches chess to very small kids, and is a proud AEA member. An avid traveler, she usually spends half the year frolicking around the globe, but is always happy to be home for the holidays with her husband and the love of her life, her dog Walter. / oliviapetzy.com Hometown | Methuen, MA Favorite Holiday Song | The entire Charlie Brown Christmas album! Favorite Thing About Caroling | Watching the stress melt away from the audience members' faces when we sing a favorite carol, and I live for the moments when I see someone wipe away a tear or two! |
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PAUL CHAMBERLAIN | Bass
Paul has been singing with The Mistletones and Original Dickens Carolers since 2013. He started singing chorally at the age of 8 with the Grammy Award winning Maryland Boy Choir. He sang soprano back then, but now he sings bass! One of his lifelong holiday dreams is to perform at the tree lighting ceremony at either Rockefeller Center or the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House. paul-chamberlain.com Hometown | Bowie, MD Favorite Holiday Song | White Christmas Favorite Thing About Caroling | When kids (from 1 to 92) sing along with us! |
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QUINN BERNEGGER | Tenor
Quinn spends most of his time singing with opera companies in the North East and around the country. He just moved to New York at the end of the summer after finishing his opera studies at The Boston Conservatory. He loves to sing musical theatre, jazz standards, and of course Christmas music - it's his favorite part of the holiday season! Hometown | Cooperstown, NY Favorite Holiday Movie | The Muppets Christmas Carol Favorite Thing About Caroling | Inventing new harmonies to old carols, bouncing along with the music to keep warm, and looking forward to a big mug of hot cocoa waiting at home when he's done! |
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SARAH CALDWELL SMITH | Soprano
Sarah is Fa-la-loving being back with Songful Artists for a second season! When not spreading holiday cheer, she can be found singing high notes in various operettas across the country with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, VHRP LIVE!, and Light Opera of New York. Sarah is also the Creative Director of CenterStage Stars, a performing arts school for children. Sarah is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music. / sarahcaldwellsmith.com Hometown | Miami, FL Favorite Holiday Movie | White Christmas Favorite Thing About Caroling | I love to watch people's faces light up when we sing on of their favorites. Caroling really brings out the magic of the season! |
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SHEILA COYLE | Alto
Sheila transported to NYC after touring for a couple of years with the Broadway National Tour of Rent. She has also been seen for several years traveling Nationally and Internationally with The Manhattan Dolls, a swing style vocal trio. Some recent NY and Regional credits include; Nightmare Alley (Molly), Jawbreaker (Greta), PUNK, HAIR (Sheila), SUGAR (Sugar), I Love You...Now Change (Woman 2), Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Lois), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Lucy). Hometown | West Chester, PA Favorite Holiday Song | I'll Be Home For Christmas Favorite Thing About Caroling | The simple peace and joy it brings people when they see carolers singing holiday music. Audiences are moved and you can see them find their hearts and minds in a special memory or moment in their life that the holidays bring. She is so fortunate to be a part of the simplicity of music bringing warmth and happiness to others. |
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VIRGINIA CAVALIERE | Alto
Virginia is a vocalist, writer, and creative based out of NYC. She has toured the country with Broadway shows In The Heights & Mamma Mia, and is an original member of #BARS workshop at the Public Theatre in NYC. She spent three seasons touring the world with Todrick Hall as a vocalist, and can be seen in the Netflix documentary "Behind the Curtain" which gives you a behind the scenes look at the experience. Check out her Christmas single with Todrick - "Baby, It's Warm Inside" on iTunes! Follow @virginia.cavaliere for more holiday fun! / virginiacavaliere.com Hometown | New Jersey Favorite Holiday Movie | Home Alone Favorite Thing About Caroling | Spreading cheer! |