Pomes in a Pail
| ...is a collaboration between lyricist Alexander Jenny and composers Karena Mendoza and Stephanie Snow (hey, that's us!). We met at a musical theater writing workshop at Theatre Building Chicago. The seeds for On-The-Loose Dreams were planted when we undertook a small "summer project" to turn a few of Alex's "pomes" for children into songs. Before we knew it we had enough songs to fill an album. After teaming up with Emmy-winning producer/arranger Ed Tossing, we rounded up some of the Chicago area's most talented young (and not quite so young) singers, and voila! -- a CD was hatched! Hope you enjoy! THE SINGERS: Dana Roesner, 7, from Wheaton, Illinois, was born with music in her heart and is honored to have the privilege of singing for you on this CD. She was last seen as the Young Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical at North Central College and as a Jitterbug in Rockin' Red Riding Hood at the Naperville School of Performing Arts. In addition to singing, Dana pursues dance, acting and piano. She wishes to thank Alexander, Karena and Stephanie for this incredible opportunity and Susan for guidance and hugs. A special thank you to Lauren and Richie for always being my inspiration! |
Rachel Cerrone -- a star's a'bornin'! Rachel Cerrone, 16, is thrilled to participate in the recording of On-The-Loose Dreams. Rachel is a student of piano and voice working under the instruction of Karena Mendoza. She played the role of Skinny in Africa & Plumbridge at Players Theater, New York, and for the New York International Fringe Festival, and can be heard on the CD release of Africa & Plumbridge. Other credits include: the role of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast at Nazareth Academy; a choral role in Oliver; and various productions at Theatre Building Chicago. Rachel's desire is to attend Columbia University, New York, to study Music and Journalism. |
Marianna Oharenko, big voice in a little package. A native Chicagoan, Marianna Oharenko is a 10-year-old performer specializing in singing and dancing. Marianna has been performing since the age of four. With over six years of professional training, Marianna has performed nearly thirty events including church gatherings, festivals and Mayor Daley's summer events. She has been a member of the Chicago Children's Choir since 2004. She also has professional studio recording experience. Performance highlights include: solo performer for the Chicago Children's Choir Holiday Show; Oak Park Danza Viva Talent Search Finalist (2006); and a solo role in Sita Ram at Lookingglass Theater. In addition to music, Marianna's hobbies include reading, traveling, U.S. History, swimming and roller-skating. |
Gaia Galvan, sings like a dream. Gaia Galvan has over 20 years experience singing and performing music. She comes from a musical family of 11 children and began performing at the age of five in church and school. She has been in over 15 musicals, and beginning at the age of 17 traveled the U.S. and Canada with an acting company for three years. Gaia has over 14 years experience as a studio vocalist and jingle singer in the Chicago and Southern Wisconsin area. Her style is diverse, unique, and pure. She draws inspiration from soulful singers such as Etta James and Celine Dion. Gaia continues to do studio work and album projects, and is currently getting ready to release her first solo album. |
The real Michael Hall. Michael Hall, 17, is comfortable opening anybody's refrigerator in search of food. Charismatic, with a voice as smooth as silk and a smile as contagious as chicken pox (just kidding), Michael attended Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, where he was a member of the highly acclaimed singing group, OW. His senior year he was named as an All State Singer and was the leader of the musical agenda for OW. Michael played the starring roles in two of his high school musicals, Footloose and Les Mis. He will be attending Indiana University in the fall of 2007, majoring in voice. Can't wait to hear what he does next. |
Jackie Gessert, the singer with the smile in her voice. Jackie Gessert has been singing since the age of 18 months when she learned You Are My Sunshine. She would sing for her Papa when he felt ill, and she seemed to bring him the strength to get better. She became active in local theater as Little Ti Moune in Once on This Island. It was then on to the professional scene as Mylinda in Theatre at the Center's A Christmas Story, and currently as Addy in the American Girl Theater productions of The Revue and Circle of Friends. Jackie enjoys dancing, modeling and pageantry, and was named Miss Indiana Pre-Teen 2005. She can't imagine a life without music, her dog Casey, or ice cream. She hopes to become a famous interior designer one day. |
Jonah Zimmermann, heartthrob of the 5th Grade. Jonah Louis Zimmermann, 10 years old, is from Oak Park, Illinois. He is a musician, currently playing the saxophone and the piano. He also sings in his school chorus under the direction of Mr. Paul Jacobson. Last summer, Jonah participated in the Bravo Arts Camp at Brooks Middle School in Oak Park where, besides playing multiple roles in the production of Stagestruck, he played Mowgli in The Jungle Book. |
Giselle Ruecking lights up a song and the room. Giselle, 17, is thrilled to be a part of this recording with songwriter Karena Mendoza. Giselle's voice has been heard at Theatre Building Chicago's Cotton Club and Babes and Barns, and as Kerry in Africa & Plumbridge at TBC and the New York International Fringe Festival. Other credits include a cabaret performance at the Triad in NYC, Music Man at Drury Lane Theatre Oak Brook, and Circle of Friends at American Girl Theater Chicago, where Giselle originated the role of Kit. Locally, she has performed the role of Sandy in Grease and Cat in Seussical the Musical. Giselle has been the opening act for Jackie Joyner-Kersee's Asthma Awareness Campaign and has sung in numerous choral and solo venues since she was nine. Thanks to Randy Buescher and Mark Burnell who make it all happen. |
Cal Renner, Man of Mystery. A shy, smooth-singin' cowpoke raised by a pack of wild Chihuahuas, Cal Renner is equally at home on Midwestern prairie and Tennessee bluegrass. Cal rides into town and works his magic behind the mic, only to disappear once again like a puff of campfire smoke. Long and lanky, Ol' Cal bears a striking resemblance to...ah, but we reckon that's just a coincidence. Giddyap, Cal. |
THE CREATIVE TEAM: Karena Mendoza was born in South Africa and is deeply affected by the vibrant musical atmosphere of her native country. An award-winning composer and vocalist, Karena has performed in Africa, Europe and the United States since the 1970's. In 2004 she won Best Song Writing at the New York International Fringe Festival for Africa & Plumbridge. Her just-released album Intimate Gershwin, in collaboration with pianist Bobby Schiff, can be found at CDBaby.com. Current projects include Burying the Bones, a musical drama based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, with Jeff Award winner Margaret Lewis, and Requiem for a Refugee, a choral work with Peter W. Jenkins. In 2005 Karena became Artist in Residence at the Riverside Presbyterian Church. Together with Joanne Tawfilis, she is developing a video concept to be used in schools as part of the UNESCO Decade of the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence Among Children of the World. (www.www.the-art-miles-mural-project.org)Alexander Jenny wrote the words for the songs found on this CD, and wonders at his good fortune in working with such a talented bunch. He's currently hard at work on a story with a happy ending. |
Composer Stephanie Snow finds her rhythm with the hula hoop. Stephanie has a natural gift for creating "earworms" -- memorable melodies that get stuck in your head. She honed her craft at Theatre Building Chicago's Musical Theatre Writers' Workshop, and at lyric-writing seminars in Nashville. But it is her eight years of teaching piano to the kids of Northbrook (and raising sons Max and Ian) that have given her an unerring sense of what young ears like. |
Producer/Arranger Ed Tossing, the biggest kid in the room. Ed Tossing has arranged and conducted string and bass ensembles on two platinum CDs by Styx and one by Dennis DeYoung. His keyboard credits include recordings by Barbara Streisand, Peter Cetera, Burt Bacharach, Harry Nilsson, Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler and numerous gospel artists for CGI. He has also played on, co-written, and arranged countless commercials for Sears, State Farm, United Airlines, WGN, and others. Ed is the recipient of two Emmys for songwriting, arranging and producing of several children's television specials starring his wife and producer/co-writer Gaia Tossing. |
Gary Yek, Sound Engineer Extraordinaire. Gary Yek has been a professional sound engineer since 1980. At his Electric Garyland Studios, located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Gary has worked with a wide range of musical groups. He also does tracking, mixing and mastering of voice-overs, sound design sessions, and nationally broadcast TV and radio spots. Gary freelances as a sound engineer for National Public Radio, among others. |
Special Thanks...To John Sparks of Theatre Building Chicago, for bringing us together, and for ongoing encouragement and invaluable input on our many projects.Thanks also to illustrator Tim O’Brien for our way-cool album cover, "Elephants Set Sail." |