Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck

Performing in Canticles for Kids - Put on your dancing shoes! Winner of over ten major kid’s music awards and seen on PBS Kids and Noggin, Rebecca Frezza and her band Big Truck, combine pop/rock, country and jazz styles, a sprinkling of world music elements, and kid friendly lyrics for a big dose of family fun!

Before Rebecca Frezza began rocking the younger set, she was a high-kicking hoofer working toward her dream of performing on Broadway.  From her roots in musical theatre and her work as a music educator, she has developed into an award-winning singer/songwriter of music for children. Rebecca has produced three outstanding CDs over the last five years, all of which have won numerous awards and created a devoted following of enthusiastic families.

Rebecca and her band Big Truck offer a variety of sound colors, two back-up singers, flute, harmonica, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drum set, and more. Rebecca’s dance and theatrical background are in evidence with a visually engaging presentation of synchronized dance movement, which audience members – young and old – often find themselves part of! Although rooted firmly in rock and roll, Rebecca and her band explore a broad range of musical styles offering children exposure to a variety of rhythms and tonalities and expanding their musical vocabulary.

Recent shows include the Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld in Orlando FL.; Deck the Hall Children’s concert, a benefit for the Dallas Symphony youth outreach program in Dallas, TX; The McAninch Arts Center in IL; Ultrasonic Super Fantastic Kids Day Weekend at PNC Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ; Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA; Theaterworks at the Lucille Lortel Theater in NYC;  The World Café Live PB&J concert series in Philadelphia; Target Children’s Day at South Street Seaport; The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation Kids 4 Kids Celebrity Carnival; Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel, Maine; The Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA and The Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

Rebecca’s songs are played regularly on XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. Four of Rebecca’s songs were made into music videos (featuring Rebecca) on Banyan Entertainment’s children’s travel DVD ‘Are We There Yet?’  The good news about Rebecca Frezza has continued to spread nationwide through her music videos, airing regularly on NOGGIN’S  ‘Jack’s Big Music Show’ and ‘Move To the Music’ and more recently on PBS Kids’ morning programming block in which Rebecca was featured in music videos performing eight original songs.

Rebecca and the band have a new album in the works entitled “Special Kind Of Day” set to be released in April 2008.

Newark Boys Chorus

Performing in Canticles for Life and Canticles for Kids - The Newark Boys Chorus (NBC) is a world-renowned performing group recognized widely for its artistry. The Chorus is comprised of students who are in 6th, 7th and 8th grades at the Newark Boys Chorus School.  The Chorus has a diverse repertoire that include African folk songs, classical music (Renaissance to 20th century), spirituals, contemporary show tunes, pop music and jazz.

The Chorus performs at venues throughout the USA and conducts an international tour every third year. Thus far, its travels have included Japan, Australia, South Africa, Russia, China, New Zealand, Finland, Latvia, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. There is no question the travel and accompanying social interaction are major factors in giving NBC School students poise, maturity and greater self-worth. Also, the rigorous musical training serves as a model for the importance of the arts as a tool for educational growth. The level of discipline, commitment, hard work and group effort instilled in and required of the boys is vital to their success. All students are required to participate in choral groups and all performances.

Kirsten Rani Almeida

Performing in Canticles for Life - Vocalist Kirsten Rani Almeida received her degree in Musical Theater from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY in 1997.  She has performed all over the country and Canada since the age of fourteen. Her professional credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast with the New Bedford Festival Theater, Three Little Pigs with the Forum Theater of Metuchen, Then and Now with The Players. Regional work includes Children of Eden (Mama Noah), Joseph...Dreamcoat (The Narrator), Sound of Music (Mother Abbess), Hello Dolly (Minnie Fay), Gypsy (Tessie Tura), the US Premier of Back to the 80's (Debbie), West Side Story (Consuelo), Stuart Little: The Musical (Stuart Little), Snoopy (Sally Brown), How to Succeed...(Rosemary) and many others.

When Kirsten isn't performing, she is directing and choreographing for the Boonton Parks & Recreation Theater Company.  During the day, she is the Development Director for Tabby's Place: a Cat Sanctuary (www.tabbysplace.org) in Ringoes, NJ where she raises money to help rescue cats from hopeless situations.  Kirsten's next big production after Canticles will be her wedding in Massachusetts to her best friend and lifeline, Michael.  She would like to thank both Rich Lovallo for his faith her abilities and to Ginny for allowing her to be a part of this wonderful celebration, to her parents for their constant love and support, Tita, and to God for the gifts that only he can give.

David Pasteelnick

Performing in Canticles for Life - Vocalist David Pasteelnick is delighted to be appearing with Canticles for Life, having had a long association with Triad Arts Ensemble founders Ginny Johnston, Joseph Furnari, and Richard & Jennifer Lovallo. Projects with Triad Arts Ensemble include The Fantasticks, Self/Defense, and various readings and fundraisers. David has appeared in many community theaters throughout New Jersey and New York City, including the Chester Theatre Group, The Barn Theatre of Montville, Randolph Community Theater, Dover Little Theatre, Parsippany Playhouse, Nutley Little Theatre, CCM Light Opera Company, and most recently with the St. Bart’s Players. He has also performed at the Bucks County Playhouse, Millbrook Playhouse, and toured nationally with Project: Educational Theater.

Favorite productions include Guys & Dolls (Nathan Detroit), Pippin (Leading Player), Godspell (John/Judas), Into the Woods (Jack), Assassins (Balladeer), Jeffrey (Jeffrey), Sweeney Todd (Toby), The Mikado (Koko), Secret Garden (Dr. Craven), A Little Night Music (Henrik), 1776 (Richard Henry Lee), Camelot (Mordred), The Crucible (Reverend Hale), Damn Yankees (Rocky), Pacific Overtures (Kayama), and of course, The Fantasticks (Matt).

David has not appeared in any episode of Law & Order.

Triad Vocal Ensemble

Performing in Canticles for Life - The Triad Vocal Ensemble (TVE) was founded in 1992 by Scott Griffith and Virginia Johnston and is based in north/central New Jersey. This 20-voice mixed adult choir is comprised of professional musicians as well as talented amateur singers.  Currently conducted by Ms. Johnston, the ensemble prepares one program annually and performs concerts both on its own and with other musicians at the annual Canticles for Life AIDS Benefit Concerts each spring.  Their repertoire features accessible contemporary pieces as well as traditional anthems, with a focus on area composers.  In fact, the group has premiered numerous works by past and present members of the ensemble, local New Jersey composers, and both Ms. Johnston and accompanist Dan Crisci. Other New Jersey composers featured on past Triad programs include Heskel Brisman, Richard Lovallo, Mark Miller and David Rimelis as well as poet James Haba.