The Brooklyn-born and raised singer/actor, Capathia Jenkins, most recently released her single “I Am Strong” and her critically acclaimed CD Phenomenal Woman the Maya Angelou Songs with her collaborator Louis Rosen, sold out the world-famous Birdland Theatre in NYC for 3 nights. She starred as ‘Medda’ in the hit Disney production of Newsies on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in The Civil War, where she created the role of Harriet Jackson. She then starred in the Off-Broadway 2000 revival of Godspell, where she wowed audiences with her stirring rendition of ‘Turn Back, O Man’ which can still be heard on the original cast recording. She returned to Broadway in The Look of Love and was critically acclaimed for her performances of the Bacharach/David hits.

An active concert artist, Ms. Jenkins has appeared with numerous orchestras around the world including the Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony (with Marvin Hamlisch), National Symphony, Cincinnati Pops (with John Morris Russell), Philly Pops, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Utah Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, San Diego Symphony, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and many others.  She was also a soloist with the Festival Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic multiple times.  Capathia had the great honor of performing in the ‘Broadway Ambassadors to Cuba’ concert as part of the Festival De Teatro De La Habana. She will be returning to Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops for Get Happy: That Nelson Riddle Sound and also sang in a Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch at the Library of Congress.

The multi-talented Matthew Johnson is an actor, singer, dancer, and musician who has performed with the likes of Pharrell, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, Childish Gambino, and Stevie Wonder. His musical theater roots were cultivated at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and through his mentor, Debbie Allen, who helped mold him into the triple threat performer he is today. Matthew has done vocal arrangements for the Grammy Awards as well as performed at the Emmys and the Billboard Awards.  He honed his skills as a vocal chameleon on some of the world’s most watched television shows such as American Idol, The Voice, X Factor and Late Night with James Corden.

Anne Runolfsson recently completed a 2 year run on Broadway as the tempestuous diva, Carlotta Giudacelli in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, the longest running show in Broadway history. Prior to that, she made an absolute splash in Victor/Victoria as standby to Dame Julie Andrews and Liza Minelli. She performed the title role over 120 times to great acclaim and went on to recreate the role in the National Tour which began in Seattle and Houston. Other Broadway and National Tour credits include:  the role of Gretta Conroy in James Joyce’s The Dead, Fantine in Les Miserable, Roxane in Cyrano-The Musical, Lili in The Secret Garden, and Aspects of Love. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include: Listen to My Heart (Studio 54), Rags, Jack’s Holiday, Cather County, A Little Night Music, Showboat, and Funny Girl.

She has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall (with Tenor Jose Carreras), The Kennedy Center, Town Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, The National Theater in Iceland, Rainbow and Stars, The Russian Tea Room, Bay Street Theater, The Pump Room, The Cinegrill, The 92nd st. Y, and with The National Symphony, The Philly Pops, The Boston Pops, The Jerusalem Symphony, The Orchestra of St. Lukes, The National Symphony of Canada, The Hong Kong Philharmonic, The Cincinnati Pops, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, The Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Symphony orchestras of  San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Indianapolis, Toronto, Milwaukee, Utah, Detroit,  Dallas, Houston, Columbus, San Diego., Colorado, Minnesota, and St. Louis among many others.  Her many recordings include the International Cast Album of Les Miserables, Listen to My Heart, Broadway Musicals of 1933, and her solo debut recording, At Sea, which was critically acclaimed nationwide.

Basso Buffo Kevin Glavin’s career highlights have included Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola with San Francisco Opera; the title role in Don Pasquale, Mustafà in L’Italiana in Algeri, Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Don Inigo Gomez in Ravel’s L’Heure Espagnole, and the Sacristan in Tosca with New York City Opera; the title role in Don Pasquale with Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Colorado, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and L’Opéra de Montréal; Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Seattle Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Washington Opera, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Florentine Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Vancouver Opera, the Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), and the Teatro Teresa Carreño (Caracas); Mustafà in L’Italiana in Algeriwith Glimmerglass Opera, Opéra de Québec, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia; Don Magnifico in La Cenerentolawith the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Baltimore Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Columbus, L’Opéra de Montréal, and the Teatro Municipal de Santiago; Dulcamara in L’Elisir D’Amore with Florida Grand Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and Arizona Opera; Sulpice in La Fille du Regiment with Edmonton Opera; General Boum in Offenbach’s La Grande Duchesse and Benoit / Alcindoro in La Boheme with the Opera Company of Philadelphia; Scirocco in L’Étoile with Cincinnati Opera; Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Vancouver Opera, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia; Brighella in Wagner’s Das Liebesverbot with Glimmerglass Opera; Leporello in Don Giovanni, Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Benoit / Alcindoro in La Boheme, and Pistola in Falstaff with Pittsburgh Opera; King Louis XVI in The Ghosts of Versailles with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; the Sacristan in Tosca with Lyric Opera of Kansas City; and Frank in Die Fledermaus with Baltimore Opera.

Additional highlights have included Holiday Concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Seattle Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marvin Hamlisch at the Kennedy Center.

Lori grew up in Houston, Texas and began singing at age 5.  She nurtured her love for music by singing in church and school choirs, then moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University as a music major.  While a student there, she not only landed her first recording contract, but secured a spot as a background vocalist for Gospel Music Artist, Michael W. Smith.  She spent the next 4 years touring as part of Smith’s band, writing songs, and recording.  Additionally, as a session singer, Lori sang background vocals on numerous albums from Country, to Pop, to Gospel.

Later, Lori became a one half of the pop duo “Wilshire” and the band relocated from Nashville to Los Angeles.  The band’s unique sound quickly caught on, landing them a record deal with Columbia Records and Warner-Chappell Publishing.  The duo wrote their hit single, “Special,” which climbed the Billboard Top 20 chart.  They toured with artists like “Train” and “Seal,” as well as performing live on Late Night, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Wayne Brady, and Pepsi Smash.

Today, Lori’s voice can be heard on national commercials for brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Claritin.  She has most recently performed with symphonies in Houston, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Detroit, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Valerie Simpson is half of the songwriting-performing-producing entity formerly known as Ashford and Simpson. Their award winning collaborations began 4 decades ago and she along with her late husband Nick Ashford have penned classic hits such as, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “Solid,” “Your Precious Love,” “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” and “Let’s Go Get Stoned” among others.

She serves on the board of the ASCAP Foundation where an award has been established to aid struggling songwriters called the REACH OUT AND TOUCH Award which honors Nick Ashford. Valerie owns and runs a popular New York Westside Music Club and Restaurant called The Sugar Bar where young writers-singers-musicians have a platform to perform. Valerie has toured with Dave Koz and a special guest this year with Paul Shaffer & the Worlds Most Dangerous Band. Her Music is in constant demand and four Ashford & Simpson songs are now featured in the Broadway hit MOTOWN-The Musical, which is touring the country. “IM EVERY WOMAN” is featured in THE BODYGUARD the play which is currently on tour. Most recently, Valerie, as performer, was also featured in New York’s CHICAGO, The Musical on Broadway for a limited engagement in the role of Mama Morton–adding yet a new, exciting dimension to a diversified career.

Gary Mauer was seen on Broadway as the Phantom in the Hal Prince production of The Phantom of the Opera, a role he previously performed on the National tour. Previously he starred in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, performing the romantic leading role of Raoul. In addition, Mr. Mauer performed in the Broadway production of Les Miserables in the role of Enjolras, the revolutionary leader, a role he also performed with the National Tour in the US and Singapore. In addition, he performed the leading role of Gaylord Ravenal in the National Tour of Show Boat, opposite his wife, Elizabeth Southard. Mr. Mauer was also a featured soloist in the world tour of “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” with Michael Crawford, bringing him to Japan, Australia, England, Scotland and culminating back in the US, where he performed for two weeks at the famous Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Regionally, his numerous credits include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Tony in West Side Story, Whizzer in March of the  Falsettos and Danny in Baby.

A graduate of the University of Arizona, Mr. Mauer has performed with symphony orchestras all over the world including the Brazil Symphony Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony (with Marvin Hamlisch), Hong Kong Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Utah Symphony and Opera, Buffalo Philharmonic, Phoenix Symphony, San Diego Symphony, among many others. Mr. Mauer has performed numerous times with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and toured with Mr. Nero in Spain. Gary was the guest soloist in many concerts with the late Marvin Hamlisch. He is the tenor soloist in the popular BRAVO Broadway!

GINAI, a Black Pearl of the Pacific

A three times Hawaiian Music Awards winner and the winner of three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for “Endless Christmas, 2014, Hot Club of Hulaville, “Django Would Go”, 2009, also Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers, 2000, Ginai has proven to win your heart with her charismatic, hypnotic voice and welcoming stage presence. When you hear her voice and see her perform, you can’t help but be captivated. She is an exciting and riveting internationally acclaimed singer/ songwriter who has worked many years to become one of the worlds most accomplished performers with over ten CD releases to her name here and abroad! (See her discography below)

Her performance career is still in high gear, paying tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Winehouse, and Chuck Mangione, with appearances at the Blue Note Waikiki, and as herself at the former Blue Note clubs in Fukuoka and Nagoya, Japan. A longtime Whitney Houston impersonator on international road shows for Legends in Concert, Ginai can sometimes be found filling in over at the Rock-A-Hula Showroom in Waikiki. She is often asked to do fundraisers for March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, and more. With a voice well suited for the stage, Ginai proved her mojo with the part of Michelle Robinson in the 20th anniversary performance of Dreamgirls in the legendary Fox Theater, Atlanta in 2002.

Her website www.ginai.com is constantly updating her calendar and her blog talks about her many musical escapades. On Facebook, she is active and kind, and on Instagram as Dginai, she is engaging and fun! She also performs regularly with the Mike Lewis Big Band, filling her YouTube channel with lots of fun. You can subscribe @ginaimusic. Ginai can be found mentoring young bands, vocalists, and performers, sharing in the spirit of aloha wherever she goes.

At home in Hawaii, Ginai enjoys time with her husband Ted, a rock vocalist himself along with their three children. She is a Lion’s Club member, and actively volunteers for Make ‘Em Smile, visiting hospitals (Shriners, Kapiolani Cancer Center) and rehab centers to bring them musical cheer. She is an avid surfer with a first place trophy in the longboard division of the Gold’s Gym Surf Meet, held in Waikiki. Her favorite wave is Makaha Surfing Beach, crystal blue ocean in her beloved home turf of the Waianae Coastline. Ginai enjoys her four dogs Brownie, Django, Pepper, and Dobby. Her two cats are named Juma and Mowmow, with horses too, Shadow, Dakota, and Keka.

DISCOGRAPHY
2017 – Swanky at Abbey Road, Patrick Von Wiegandt featuring Ginai
2016 – Swanky, appearing with Patrick Von Wiegandt
2015 – Mr. Swanky, appearing with Patrick Von Wiegandt
2014 – Endless Christmas, on Black Hawaiian Music
2009 – Django Would Go, Hot Club of Hulaville, producer, singer, songwriter
2008 – Midnight Smooth, listed as Ginar (court battle ongoing)
2007 – Come Together, a collection of Beatles classics, with Pierre Grill
2006 – Jazz Island, her first solo CD, Black Hawaiian Music
2000 – Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers, Hawaiian swing, Black & Tan Records
1995 – 2005 as Genai, Japan, for Video Arts Music

Lori grew up in Houston, Texas and began singing at the age of 5. She nurtured her love for music by singing in church and school choirs, then moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University as a music major. During her second year at Belmont, she was offered a recording contract and began recording professionally and also touring as a back-up singer for Gospel artist, Michael W. Smith. Lori also worked as a session singer in Nashville, lending her voice to numerous artists’ albums.

Later on,  Lori became a one half of the pop duo “Wilshire” and the band moved to Los Angeles. Wilshire’s unique sound quickly caught on, landing them a record deal with Columbia Records and Warner-Chappell Publishing. The duo wrote their hit single, “Special,” which climbed the Billboard Top 20 chart. They toured with artists like Train and Seal, as well as performing live on Late Night, The Sharon Osbourne Show, the Wayne Brady Show, and Pepsi Smash.

Today, Lori continues to write, record, and perform. She has written and recorded songs for CBS and other Networks, as well as films. Her voice can be heard on national commercials for brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Claritin.

Hailing from Roanoke Virginia, Micah Wilshire began playing in his family’s band by the age of 3. Under his father’s eye, Micah then focused on playing and crafting his knowledge of a variety of instruments throughout his childhood. Once finishing high school, Micah relocated to Nashville with the intent of becoming a session guitarist and singer.

In under two years, Micah became a first call session vocalist and guitarist appearing on countless recordings and jingles leading him to be featured on multiple Gold and Platinum albums.

While in Nashville, and as a member of the band “Wilshire”, Micah again relocated to Los Angeles and signed with Columbia Records and Warner-Chappell Publishing. Wilshire then went on to have their hit single “Special” shoot up the U.S. Top 20 Billboard chart leading to tours with Seal (nationally and internationally) and Train. During that time “Wilshire” performed on Late Night, the Sharon Osbourne Show, the Wayne Brady Show, and Pepsi Smash.

Recently, Micah has taken the position of VP of TV/Film for Young Guns Publishing where he is focused on songwriting and production.

Exciting things ahead as Young Guns Publishing is now partnered with the incredibly innovative, world-renowned Kobalt Music Publishing.