2018 Performers


The Dead Stone

Formed only weeks ago just to do rock the district. We are a hard rock band from Cave Creek,
almost all representing Cactus Shadows. On guitar and lead vocals, Ben Schabel. Grady
Demmitt on lead guitar, Hayden Scudder on bass, Marc Rumbold on drums, and Travis Curnutt
on keyboards and vocals.

 

 


Kailin Kay

Kailin Kay is a 15 year old singer/songwriter born and raised in the Phoenix area. She has been
singing and playing guitar since the age of 6 and peruses her passion by performing around
town. Playing places such as Alice Cooperstown, the herb box, desert ridge and the Mesa arts
center. This will be her 4th time at the annual rock the district and she is very excited to be back!

 

 


Halle Abadi

Halle is a junior at CSHS pursuing her IB diploma. She’s also working on obtaining her second
degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Music however, singing, song writing and piano, is her
passion. Thank you RTD for the opportunities you provide young musicians and the good you do for our
schools.

 

 


Brooke Pauley

Brooke began music lessons at age 6 with piano, then added guitar at age 9 where she also
began to sing. Today, age 14 and a freshman at Notre Dame Prep, Brooke continues playing
both instruments and has recently added songwriter to her portfolio. Brooke, along with her peer
accompanists Dylan Conger, Cameron Bertolet, and Nick Conger that met at Kirks Studio for
the Performing Arts, have collaborated and produced originals with a jazz influence. Brooke has
performed at Cooperstown, Buffalo Chip, and recently appeared with her accompanists at El
Pedergal Art Gallery.

 


Morgan McElroy
I have been performing with the Scottsdale Conservatory of Performing Arts for almost two
years. We perform monthly at Desert Ridge and Tempe town Lake. We were also invited to
perform in Disneyland this past November. I take private vocal lessons.

 

 

 


Nina Carrozza
Nina Carrozza is a 6th grader at Lone Mountain Elementary who is chasing her dreams of
songwriting and performing. Nina has been playing piano and singing since she was about three
years old. Some of her inspirations are Carrie Underwood, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter,
and Bruno Mars. Whenever Nina has free time, she’s either playing the piano, singing, or writing songs. She
currently works with Kim Taylor (Loft99) with singing, piano, and ukulele. Nina truly has a
passion for performing.

 

 


C3
Made up of 3 sisters, C3, is very excited to be making their debut performance at Rock The District this year. Eighteen year old Seylah Cislo is the oldest of the bunch and has been singingand playing guitar since she was a kid. Seylah is a senior at Pinnacle High School and is a part of Prestige, a small jazz a cappella ensemble. Eden Cislo, a sophomore at Cactus Shadows has also been singing and playing guitar for most of her life. In her free time Eden enjoys
leading worship with her older sister at Desert Springs Bible Church for their youth program. At the young age of 11, Nina Cislo has been playing the drums for 3 years. She is a 6th grader at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School and loves to play volleyball. Seylah and Eden have played together and separately at venues around Cave Creek and performed at RTD last year. Nina can’t wait to be a part of the action this year!

 

Lauren Elizabeth
Lauren Elizabeth’s passion for country music began before she could even speak in full sentences. As early as two years old, snug in her car seat in the back of her parent’s SUV, she could be heard singing along with country’s leading ladies. Lauren explains, “I love the music my mom sang to me when I was little. Songs by power singers like Whitney, Celine, Mariah, but the country divas still influence me today. Reba, Martina, Shania, Trisha, Faith and, more recently, Dolly, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.”

Lauren, a 17-year-old senior at CSHS and five-time RTD alum, is determined to achieve her goal of becoming a stand-out country recording artist, bringing her sassy style to the world. To that end, Lauren continues to build a solid performance resumé with appearances at theArizona State Fair, Alice Cooper’s Proof is in the Pudding competition, Cave Creek Wicked,Carefree Christmas, Taste of Cave Creek, and more. Lauren’s also becoming a regular on the
local music scene where you can catch her singing and playing guitar at venues in/around CaveCreek and Carefree performing her renditions of favorites by Dolly, Merle and Miranda.

 

 


l.o.v.e.
What is l.o.v.e?
Spencer, Chance, Jake and Sophie
That’s what it is.

 

 

 

 


Don’t Tell Mom
Don’t Tell Mom is a young, Scottsdale, AZ-based rock & roll that originally formed in 2013. Their influences range from blues to rockabilly, surf rock and classic rock. DTM’s current members are: Dean C. (13) vocals, guitar; Jake P. (16) bass, vocals, keys; Dale J. (13) guitar and Jamie W. (11) drums. They are passionate about music and are known for their fun, high energy shows. A typical performance will include songs by Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Johnny Cash and Stevie Ray Vaughn as well as their own catchy originals. DTM’s debut EP, Retro Rock and Blues, was released in 2017. Don’t Tell Mom were finalist in Alice Cooper’s Proof is in the Pudding contest in 2016 and 2017. They performed at University of Phoenix Stadium prior to an Arizona Cardinals’s game during the 2017 season. DTM played at the VIVA PHX Music Festival (2017), the Goodyear Lakeside Music Festival (2017), Arizona State Fair (2016), Salt River Fields Food Truck Festival (2014-2018), Tempe Town Lake 4th of July Spectacular (2014, 2015), Salt River Fields Halloween Spooktacular, Bite of Arizona, Rock the District in Cave Creek (2014 – 2017) The Van Buren, Alice Cooperstown, Rebel Lounge, Rhythm Room,Cactus Jack’s, Club Red among others. They also perform regularly at Desert Ridge Marketplace and Tempe Marketplace on their main stages. In addition, DTM is proud to have performed for numerous charity and nonprofit organizations including The American Cancer Society, Teen Lifeline, YMCA, The American Heart Association and Cave Creek Unified School District.

 


M.A.A.R.S.
M.A.A.R.S is an alternative rock band from Phoenix, AZ, featuring Sam Potter, 15, as the lead
vocalist; Abbey Maruyama, 15, as lead guitar; Millie Khosla, 15, on rhythm guitar; Ashleigh
Wilking, 16, on bass; and Rowan O’Riley, 17, playing the drums. The band formed at Scottsdale
Music Academy (SMA), and Millie and Ashleigh were brought in after the band had formed. The
band has played only a few gigs with all of the current members, but the members have all
individually played on many occasions like the SMA Halloween party, and a fundraiser for
organic school lunches. They have a large selection of songs to play, and are excited to play
some of them at RTD.

 


FrostbYte
FrostbYte is a new Phoenix band that came together when all of its members bonded over a shared love of rock and roll at a Van Halen set at School of Rock. This is the first time the four teens have played together as a foursome, even though each member has performed separately in different venues around town for many years. The band members have entertained audiences for years at the Wasted Grain, Rebel Lounge, Hard Rock Café, Alice Cooperstown, as well as many other rock and roll venues in town. Lead vocals/rhythm guitarist Brandon B (16) is a lead tenor on the Brophy Honor Chorale and has sang at a number of charity events in town. Lead drummer Nathan W (16) is a talented drummer and percussionist, who was selected as first-chair in the All-State percussion competition and even had the opportunity to perform at the Musical Instrument Museum. Brandon and Nathan have been playing together since their middle school garage band days. Lead guitarist Danny O (14) is an amazing and passionate guitarist who has opened for several well-known Phoenix bands at My Nana’s Salsa Challenge. Danny played with his middle school rock band and now serves as a mentor for that same band. Lead bass Lucas O (14), in addition to being a great base player, is multi-talented with some serious chops on the keys, guitar, drums and vocals. FrostbYte plays all genres of rock, and is currently focusing on classic and heavy rock songs for its debut performance.

 


Garrett Westfall
Hi, I am Garrett Westfall. I go to Desert Shadows Middle School. I have been playing guitar and
singing for about 3 years now. I have been on stage with the country/rock band Coldfront on
multiple occasions. I am also currently working on my Eagle Scout Badge in Boy Scouts. Also, I
play golf at Dan Campbell Golf Academy.

 

 

 


Playdate
Playdate (formerly The Undecided) consists of 4 members – Braden, 12, on lead guitar, Reyva, 15, on lead vocals, and Maya, 15, on drums, who met at a music workshop little over a year ago. Recently, they welcomed to the band, Trey, 13, who also plays lead guitar. Braden, a 7th grader at Cactus Shadows, is a self-taught musician who has been playing the guitar for over two years. He likes to play rock-n-roll, blues and occasionally thrash metal, and is inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Son House, Angus Young and Slash. Reyva is a freshman at Xavier College Prep. She has been singing since the age of six, and playing guitar for two years. Her favorite genres to listen, sing and play, are soul, jazz and pop music. Maya, a freshman at Notre Dame Prep, has been playing drums and taking lessons since she was in Kindergarten. She enjoys listening to blink 182, Chance the Rapper and Green Day. Trey is a 7th grader at Cocopah Middle School. He has been playing guitar for about three years and likes punk and heavy rock music. His favorite bands are Green Day, Breaking Benjamin and Three Day Grace. Playdate has performed at venues like Big Earls, The Horny Toad, and Roadhouse, all in Cave Creek, The Wasted Grain in Scottsdale, Bartlett Lake, and the CycloMesa Bicycle Festival.

 


Promise to Myself
From hitting the stages on Van’s Warped Tour to an appearance on AZTV and radio station
KQST, then on to playing venues, such as the infamous Whisky A Go Go, Promise to Myself
brings a fun and creative energy to the Southwest U.S.
This 4-piece, alternative pop band was home-grown in Phoenix, Arizona. They currently just
released their first 5-song EP, entitled “One For The Runaways”.

 

 


Elle Sloan
My name is Elle Sloan, and I am 15-years-old. I am a freshman at Horizon High School. I am a part of Horizon’s award winning show choir, which I am very excited about. I discovered my love for singing and performing at a very young age. When I was 3, I told my mom I was going to be a singer when I was bigger. Fast forward 12 years, I am currently spending much of my time outside of school, working with a voice and piano teacher, voice coach in New York, recording, practicing with my band, and performing at local events. One thing that I love to do is sing in front of audiences of all sizes. My biggest project right now is sharing my music on instagram. I am a featured cover artist on several instagram singing accounts, and am gaining more followers, each day, world-wide. I recently began taking Skype lessons from a vocal coach in New York City. He is a former American Idol Alum, and is really helping me learn how to make a song my very own. Last February, I was invited to sing the national anthem for the World Champion, Chicago Cubs, home opener for spring training 2017. I have been singing national anthems for the Cubs since age 11. I will be back on home plate this March 2018! One of my most memorable singing experiences was performing the national anthem for President Donald Trump, during his run for president in June 2016. My band, “Elle and the Beast Mode,” performed at Cooperstown, and also at a Family Fun Fair to raise awareness for down-syndrome. I often perform with a good friend of mine, and talented musician, Henry Thompson. The two of us have sung at Desert Ridge Marketplace, and a few other local events. I love being on stage, and not long ago played my dream role, Elle Woods, in ”Legally Blonde Jr.,” the musical. For me, music is not just what I do, music is who I am.

 

 


The Big Spill
The Big Spill is a group of 13-15 year-old musicians who have been together for more than four
years. Cameron Bertolet – Bass, Dylan Conger – Guitar, Tanner Hochberg – Guitar, Nick
Conger – Drums and Trinity Ananyeva – Vocals are Rock the District veterans and great
musicians in their own right. They have been performing at various community events such as
Shake the Lake, Taste of Cave Creek and Christmas in Carefree to name a few. You can follow
The Big Spill on Facebook and Instagram https://www.facebook.com/ TheBigSpillBand
Instagram @thebigspillband.

 


Ripcord
Ripcord consists of Joey Moriarty (lead vocals/guitar), Jenna Dougherty (keyboards and
backup vocals), Peter Amoroso (guitar), Ana Faustinos (guitar), and Grant Montgomery (bass guitar). The met while all
taking lesson at Stages Music. They decided to get together one day and play some songs and
were amazed at how good they sounded! They quickly bonded over their love of Imagine
Dragons and modern rock/pop music. Although they have only been playing for a couple of
months it looks like the have a very bright future ahead of them.

 

 


Carissa Canto
Carissa Canto, is a 17-year old 11th-grader attending Cactus Shadows High School. Carissa
has been singing since age seven and continues to make videos and perform today. In addition
to RTD, Carissa’s favorite performances include singing at the rebuilding of the Cactus
Shadows track, performing the National Anthem for the local Arizona Red Hawks, and Cactus
Shadows Football Team, singing at her own Quinceañera, and performing at the Carefree
Christmas Show along with her recent performance at Shake the Lake cover song The House of
the Rising Sun, which gave a her a standing ovation on her ability of how far her vocals and love
for music can truly take her.

 


Cristina Jo
Cristina Jo is a 16 year old junior at Cactus Shadows High School and has been a part of Rock
the District for five years now. She taught herself how to play guitar a few years ago to
accompany herself while singing her original songs.
Cristina has always found inspiration in Taylor Swift but is always open to trying new genres and
finding inspiration in other popular artists. Cristina has big plans for this upcoming year and
plans to take her performing to the next level in order to broaden her exposure and opportunities
along with giving teenagers more music that they can relate to.

 

 


House of Noise
House of Noise has been playing together just over a year. They played last year at Rock the
District and has played at The Roadhouse, The Horny Toad, Big Earll’s and Cyclo-Mesa this
past year. Ashley Walker, a freshman at CSHS, is the lead singer. Ryan Egan, an 8th grader at
Rancho Solano, plays lead guitar. His brother Zach, a 7th grader at Rancho Solano plays
drums. Jack Montgomery, an 8th grader, plays rhythm guitar. Sam Kreitzman, a freshman at
Chaparral, plays Bass.

 

 


The Master Chemists
The Master Chemists (TMC) started as a Summer ’16 project between Kai Jinn (Lead Guitar), Tyler Lopez (Guitar) and Anthony Buchowski (Drums) with recent inclusion of Anthony Fazio (Guitar), Aidan Swift (Bass/Vocal) and newest addition, Mia Brito (Main Vocal).

TMC, with members ranging from 14 – 16 years old, is excited to bring their past and present backgrounds in music and theatre performances to showcase classic to modern rock as well as new collaboration on original songs. The Master Chemists have performed in various venues around the Valley including Arizona State Fair and Glendale Glitters.

 

 


Henry Thompson
As a Freshman at Chaparral High School, Henry enjoys singing and playing the guitar. Since September 2017, Henry has had the opportunity to play gigs at Desert Ridge Marketplace, Westgate and Tempe Marketplace as a solo artist. On March 16th from 7-10pm, Henry will be on the Big Stage at Desert Ridge with his new band. Henry also can be found at his new weekly gig at the Scottsdale Art Walk most Saturdays from 1-4 pm for all of March and April. He will be in Tempe Downtown for a few dates in March and April. Check Henry out @henrythompsonmusic on Instagram and Facebook. You can find some of his recent performances there and more information on where to find Henry!

Henry is honored to be a part of the Rock the District family. Many of these amazing young musicians are now collaborators with Henry. Chance joined Henry on stage at the Carefree Christmas Festival and Lauren Bizzel has even gotten him to sing a few country duets with her along the way! These two seniors will definitely be missed, but are ALWAYS welcome on stage with Henry!