Melissa Nelson

Melissa has been a music lover all her life ~ she started singing out loud to Disney tunes in the car as a toddler and just kept on signing. She was cast in the Pinnacle High School musical “Annie” show at 8 years old to play “Molly”, and has since had many key roles and performance opportunities at Desert Stages, Desert Foothills Theater, Missoula Theater Academy, and Power Chord Academy. In addition to her vocal talent, Melissa picked up a ukulele last December, determined to use this small instrument to accompany her love of singing ~ and has recently begun to also teach herself guitar in her spare time using multi media resources. Melissa studies voice with Martha Lindsey and Kevin Glenn. She recently placed 1st at the Hot Pipes vocal competition in her age division, winning a spot in the finals on September 26th. Melissa also runs varsity cross country, dances at Cave Creek Dance Academy, she is a member of the drama club, ‘Improv’ team, and the brand new ‘Singular Sensations’ Advanced Performance Team. Melissa feels so fortunate that she has had a life of great opportunity and good fortune so she is able to express her joy in music.

Mackenzie Brown

Mackenzie Brown is a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School. She has played the guitar for a year and a half, and just recently realized that she enjoys singing as well. In her spare time, Mackenzie competes for varsity on the high school cross country team, and also enjoys hiking the many mountains in the valley. She recently celebrated her 15th birthday on September 10th, and now cannot wait to get her permit in six months!

Jake Colvin

Jake is a singer/song writer who plays piano, guitar, bass, drums, and trombone. He started playing piano when he was five years old and takes after his dad who received a performance scholarship to BYU. Jake was in his school Jazz Band at Explorer Middle School and is currently in a band named Out of Order along with another performer in the show, Ryan Blaser. Jake is a member of Cantare and Prestige performance choirs at Pinnacle High School. He is an honors student and the oldest of four brothers. Along with music, Jake loves to play soccer and perform in plays and musicals.

Rachel Brown

Rachel is an 8th grade Honors student at Mountain Trail Middle School and a member of the Paradise Valley School District Honors Choir. She has participated in school choir every year since 4th grade. Rachel was seen this past Spring on stage as Young Cossette in Les Miserables at Phoenix Theater. In 2008 she played Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden at PV Comm. College. Her other favorite stage roles include Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker at Theater Works in 2007 (AriZoni award), and the musicals Narnia at Valley Youth Theatre, The Music Man, Les Miserables, and Annie Get Your Gun at Greasepaint Youtheatre; and The Sound of Music and Annie, Jr. at Desert Stages Theatre when she was 6 years old. She has sung the National Anthem at numerous events, including three times for the S.F. Giants spring training games. Rachel studied classical piano with Anna Chepikova for several years, and is currently studying piano theory and songwriting with Bethany Wright, with dreams of someday writing and recording her own songs. Music is Rachel’s passion. She believes music and the arts are a vital part of her education, and should be as available and as important in public education as any other basic requirement.

Cali Rodi

Ever since a Christmas Day open mic event two years ago at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek, 14-year-old Cali Rodi has been lighting up stages around the state with her amazing vocals and lefty guitar-playing. Catching the eyes of Chicks With Picks co-founders Pandy Raye and Rhonda Hitchcock, Cali landed her first paying gig at the Chip at age 12, and has been a busy chick ever since, performing at valley venues including Harold’s Corral, Cocomo Joe’s, Silver Spur Saloon, Legends, Anthem Outlet Mall, Rula Bula, Tempe Beach Park, P.F.Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon, and the New Year’s Eve Fiesta Bowl Block Party. Just back from a summer trip to Nashville, where she played at The Stage on Broadway with country stars Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson, Darryl Worley, and Chuck Wicks, Cali is busy recording her first CD of original songs, scheduled for release in October.

Alexis Driscoll

Hey Everyone! I’m Alexis Rae Driscoll I was born and raised in sunny Arizona. I first started out by winning Miss Maricopa County Baby. Then got into modeling and dance. My parents took me to Desert Stages Theatre. It’s a community theater. I loved singing and performing so much that I started taking voice lessons. I got into a performing group called DO RE MI. I started writing my own songs at age 11. At that time I was going through a rough period in my life. By writing and singing I was able to express my thoughts and feelings! Acting has become a big part of my life, learning an Instrument as well. I think you need to be well rounded in everything in this industry(Act, Dance, Sing, Perform, Play Instrument) These are just some of the places I’ve performed and accomplished- BB Kings Universal Studios, Scottsdale Teen Idol, SLS Showcases, Voices Showcase, Tempe Market Place, Talent Shows, South Beach Restaurant Commercials, Voice over’s, Health awareness centers, Print model, National Anthem at MLB game, CC Jones Hot pipes competition ( 1st place), The boys and girls club main charity event, Voted one of the top 10 singers in Arizona “sing for their supper”.

Garrett Boyd

Garrett is a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School. He has been playing piano since he was 6 and has performed in many recitals and Arts Alive events in his hometown of Eureka, California. He completed two levels in the Certificate of Merit music program at Humboldt State University. He also has played the guitar and electric bass. Garrett’s grandfather is an accomplished saxophonist and music teacher at College of the Redwoods, and together with Garrett, Garrett’s brother and sister and their father, they sang Christmas hymns at the UnitedMethodist Church in California for Christmas Eve when he was just 10. Garrett has lived in Arizona for two years and in addition to his piano playing he is an avid soccer player.

Michael Calvoni

Michael is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this fantastic fundraiser for the Cave Creek Music Program! He is a senior at Desert Mountain High School and is also the Drama Club President of the DMHS Players. Michael started performing since the age of 10 and wants to continue his passion onto Broadway after college.

Moniquea Martinez

Moniquea Martinez is an eighth grade student at Cocopah Middle School in Scottsdale. She has always had a love of music and drama. Moniquea began singing and playing piano in kindergarten. She participated in the Sequoya Elementary School musical theater productions every year through fifth grade when she had the lead role in Jungle Book. When she was in third grade she sang here first solo in the school talent show. The producer was so impressed that she gave her a free voice lesson with Satyam Patel. He has been her voice coach ever since and has opened a music school called Voices. Moniquea has been a member of the Phoenix Girls Chorus for the past three years and is currently in the Tour Choir. She also sings in A Cappella Ensemble and Voices of Soul Choir at Voices. She has been a member of the Scottsdale District School Choir and the All State Choir as well. Moniquea attended SLS Camp in Beverly Hills, where she met many singers from all over the world who inspired her (including David Archuletta!) She is also a member of the group of soloists known as Acts of Love, who perform for charities all over the valley.

Ryan Blaser

Ryan Blaser, age 15, has performed in several shows in his musical career. He is currently in the ‘Idol in the Skye’ competition as a semifinalist. He has performed at the PF Changs Rock N’ Roll Marathon. Ryan has also performed at Next, a coffee house in Glendale. He is in the Cantare and Prestige choral groups at Pinnacle High School and ranked 21st in the Arizona High School All State Choir in 2009, as well as 7th in the Arizona All State Jazz Choir. Ryan hopes to continue to pursue music in his future and is excited to help the school art programs any way possible.

Andrea Hall

Andres Hall is 15 and a Sophmore at Saguaro High School. Andrea showed a love for music at and early age and started her musical education in Kindermusik at 18 months. Singing has always been a part of her life. At age six, she stood on a chair singing at a Christmas luncheon – drawing tears from the ladies who were promoted to say “This is what Christmas is all about!”. Andrea was chosen to sing the Star Spangled Banner at 8th grade graduation from Movhave Middle School and received the Best First Soprano Award in the Women’s Honor Choir as a freshman in the choral program at Saguaro High School. Recently, Andrea has found her niche in Musical Theater, with roles at Desert Stages in Bye Bye Birdie, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Annie, and Joseph in the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is currently cast as “Alice” in the Desert Foothills Theater Alice in Wonderland; playing in November here in the Cave Creek Fine Arts Center.

Stephanie Light

Stephanie Light, 16 year old singer/songwriter, performs live with flautist Victoria Teixeira. Together they produce an incredible sound, and put on an amazing show. Stephanie has released her first CD, “The Way You Live.” Music and lyrics were composed by Stephanie, who plays the acoustic guitar, piano and violin and also provides the backup vocals. Stephanie is a junior in High School and will graduate in 2010. Stephanie lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plays shows at local spots throughout the valley, including every Sunday morning at North Ridge Church. Recent shows include the Cave Creek Arts Festival (CD song “Willow Tree” winner for original song), opener for Chris Sligh (American Idol 4th place finalist in the Jordan Spark’s season) and numerous appearances for the Arizona Chicks With Picks organization. She released her CD at a concert at North Ridge Church on December 19. She has been performing her own, original music for about five years, and would like to significantly expand her fan base. Her music was selected for the independent movie, “References,” that released February 5, 2009. Most recently, she has played at the AZ Chicks with Picks festival along side with Michelle Branch. She was also featured in her studios first concert “Telekon Live” with hot local artists Dasiy Mallory and Sam the Boy. Stephanie would love to make songwriting a lifelong career. Check out Stephanie Light’s myspace page at www.myspace.com/stephanielightmyspace.