Hello friends! I sincerely hope your 2018 has started off beautifully, and that you have some  great resolutions in place. I’m excited to announce that my year in music is starting off performing for an intimate event entitled, Love Notes, hosted by the Lake Geneva Chapter, Lyric Opera of Chicago.

I will be collaborating with two wonderful musicians: Pianist, Celeste Rue and Soprano, Kimberly E. Jones https://www.kimberlyejonessoprano.com. Together, we will be performing a wide variety of music from opera, to Broadway, to Latin Pop. It’s my ultimate goal and honor to bring awareness and support to opera and specifically, this opera house. As one of the most beautiful opera houses in North America, the Lyric Opera is a fantastic kick off for the year.

Check out the rich history of the Lyric Opera of Chicago —

“The world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago performs in one of North America’s most beautiful opera houses, the Civic Opera House — now known as the Lyric Opera House — at 20 North Wacker Drive. The opera house was the vision of utility magnate Samuel Insull (1859-1938), a populist billionaire known as “the Prince of Electricity.” Insull, the president of the Chicago Civic Opera Association, wanted to erect a new opera house to replace Louis B. Sullivan’s Auditorium Building on South Michigan Avenue as the home of the Chicago Civic Opera — one that would be democratic in scope, and would be housed in and supported by a commercial office building. He mandated five requisites for the new opera house: safety, excellent sight lines, comfortable seating, gracious surroundings, and premium acoustics.”

I look forward to sharing more of 2018 with you! Remember to be different… and true to who you are!

Well, happy 2016! I know I’m a little late, but as they say, better late then never. I’m excited for this year and some exciting things that will be happening. I’m looking forward to recording even more new music in New York City. I have a few surprises up my sleeve and look forward to sharing them with you. I will be sure to let you all know where to find me (think “Where’s Waldo”). I invite you to keep visiting my website to find the latest updates. Please also be sure to check out the new audio we just uploaded on my home page from a concert I did this past year, featuring a few of my favorites. Both of these are classics and have personal meaning to me.

I sincerely hope that everyone is continuing to focus on their personal goals and dreams. Sometimes we have a tendency to make a resolution, and we follow through with such force and speed, which makes them unsustainable. I would encourage all my friends to set realistic goals and most importantly, follow through with them. When we set obtainable goals and achieve them, there is no greater feeling of success than what’s right before us. I truly feel it’s imperative to always maintain that mindset. Never give up and always listen to your inner voice; this is what I constantly say to myself. Remember to be different… And true to who you are!

Happy New Year everyone! One of my New Year’s resolutions is to blog more… I know I’ve left you all wondering what I’m up to. So let me take a few moments to fill you in. 2014 was a very exciting year, from being a part of ABC’s The Bachelorette, to launching a new project in NYC, to my Carnegie Hall debut, to singing the Star Spangled Banner for the third year in a row for the Fifth Third Turkey Trot, to the Waterfront Film Festival to name a few.

As 2015 progresses, I’ll make sure I update you on my NYC project. I’m not going to give too much away just yet, but know that it’s really exciting! I’m also looking forward to performing at several events across the country, which you’ll see updated on my calendar as the events approach.

Keep following through with your resolutions. and I’m wishing you a great and successful year! Remember to be different… And true to who you are.

We watch lights flicker and dance while we are warmed by a cosy fire as snow gently falls outside our windows. It is a magical season, a season of romance, gratitude, and delight. It is a time where we can extend ourselves to others, spreading a message of joy and peace. Yes, it’s only the beginning of November (we’ve already experienced the first snow in West Michigan), but I am gearing up for a spectacular holiday event with the City of Detroit.

On November 1st, the city brought in a 60-foot Christmas Tree from over 200 miles away in Northern Michigan. Over the next three weeks, the tree will be adorned with ornaments and over 19,000 LED lights, dressed for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Held on Friday November 22 in Campus Martius Park, this event marks the tenth year of the opening of the park, bringing hope and joy to the city of Detroit. The Tree Lighting Ceremony, presented by DTE Energy Foundation kicks off the Winter Magic Season, sponsored by Quicken Loans.

I am delighted to have been asked to perform at this year’s ceremony. Singing a holiday favorite, I am excited to help usher in the magic of the season. There is just so much to say–going “home” where my career began, being a part of an event which fills hearts with love, peace, and joy of the holiday season in a town overcoming and persevering through some of the toughest times in its history–I am honored and humbled.

Bundle up, grab your skates, and come on out to celebrate with us! Thank you, Detroit. And may the peace of the season fill you and give you continued hope for the future. Remember to always be different and true to who you are!

For more information and event details, please visit: Campus Martius Park.

The city of Detroit has experienced numerous changes over the years. Going from an industrial empire made famous by Henry Ford and the development of the automobile, to a struggling city on the cusp of bankruptcy, to a rallying community fighting for survival against cultural and fiscal demise, this town is still an iconic image of American history and perseverance. As community that prides itself on diversity and fortitude, it moves forward with hopeful hearts and new visions for a brighter future. This year, their annual event, Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Turkey Trot, sponsored by 5/3 Bank, will bring in over 30,000 runners and additional parade attendees, giving a much needed boost to their local economy.

For the second year in a row, I have been asked to sing the National Anthem for the parade. I am so grateful to step along side the city as they celebrate the holidays with their biggest event of the year. With record breaking attendance last year, even more runners are expected to make their way through the streets of Detroit. While there are a few competitive runners, this event, the largest 5K and 10K in Michigan, is a joyous occasion with spectators celebrating the holiday season. I am also honored to be representing the Detroit Opera House home of Michigan Opera Theatre.

The City of Detroit holds a special place in my heart. Growing up in the area, I have fond childhood memories, and it’s always a pleasure going “home.” I am excited to give back to the community, representing the city and Michigan Opera Theatre.

I’m looking forward to meeting as many runners as I can, to encourage them to give it their all and to remind them to always be different… and true to who they are! If you are running the race, please make sure to say hello!

The Grand Rapids community in West Michigan is home to world renowned art competitions, breweries, farm-to-fork dining, and sophisticated music and entertainment. It is also known for its innovation and philanthropic endeavors focused and designed to better the urban experience. It’s not what you would expect from a small community far from the excitement, ambition, and progressiveness of New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. With a strong economy and dynamic thinkers, this area has put itself on the map, and I am proud to call West Michigan my home.

On Thursday evening, September 5, Grand Rapids will be celebrating its grand opening of the Downtown Market. As an exciting addition to the community, the market is the first LEED-Certified market in the US, offering a unique, dynamic, and innovative venture to West Michigan locals and visitors. Boasting over 25,000 feet of space dedicated to local farmers, restaurants, rooftop gardens, and retail stores, this market will allow the community to shop and enjoy food and dining year-round like never before. Also gaining young fans and families, the space offers the country’s first hands- on kitchen for kids. Marking this event with musical entertainment, I will be performing in conjunction with Opera Grand Rapids to honor the generous supporters and benefactors who have graciously donated their time and resources. With a grateful heart, I am proud to be a part of this event, representing the generosity of the local community and Opera Grand Rapids.

More information coming soon.
Remember to be different… and true to who you are!

I enjoyed my time performing at The What Not Inn this past Monday evening. It was a pleasure to perform with other fantastic musicians from around the country, and it is always an exhilarating experience singing the old classics of Sinatra. The evening was dedicated to one of my favorite fans, Rusty, who has been an inspiration to me. Traveling all by herself through the back roads of West Michigan, this phenomenal eighty-four-year-old young woman, came to see me perform… To my dear, sweet “huckleberry friend,” thank you from the bottom of my heart.

There are a few exciting things on the horizon. I am looking forward to the rest of the summer with other performance opportunities, including trips to Los Angeles, Vegas, and NYC.

Enjoy the Fourth of July! Spend it with those you love. Remember to be different…And true to who you are!

This past Friday evening, I celebrated my father’s birthday at the Annex/Coral Gables in Saugatuck, Michigan. I was invited to perform several numbers by Frank Sinatra, allowing me to share my heart with my family and many new friends. This takes me
back to an era I love, and it is a pleasure to be able to share that with an audience.

There’s just something magical about the 1950’s… The era of class when people danced, sang, dressed, and carried themselves with such refinement and charm. I am honored to bring this back through my own music, and I look forward to bringing it to the
world!

Additionally, I will be releasing a new photo theme to my website. This will include all the photos from my shoot in Los Angeles, with the amazing photographer Marta Elena Vassilakis. I look forward to collaborating again in the near future. Remember to be
different… And true to who you are!