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Performing
at Chicago Singer Spotlight on Wednesday, June 9 at FitzGerald's.
Rodney
Pate
Falling in love with music at an earlier age Rodney started learning
to play the piano while he should have been in church, often playing
during sermons. Attending Curie High on Chicago’s Southside Rodney
began formalized training in music and other performing arts. Participating
in multiple musical groups in high school Advanced Mix Chorus, Chamber
Chorus, Jazz Band (piano) and Chicago All-City Chorus, which performed
annually at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall? Rodney pursed vocal studies
at Chicago Public Schools and privately at the Fine Arts Building
on Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. In 1982 he won the Illinois
State ACT-S0 award for music composition and continued musical studies
at Roosevelt University. As with many of us career paths have a
life of their own and Rodney’s lead him to the United Stated Marines
Corps where he served as an air traffic controller and achieved
the rank of sergeant. Today he supports his family as a computer
system integrator and certified project manager. Tonight Rodney
hopes to rekindle some of his passion for making music as he presents
four original pieces of music.
Lara
Jenkins
This
has been a very busy year for Lara Jenkins since her jazz debut
here at Fitzgerald's last May. She has basically become a regular
at these monthly showcases as she uses her talents to sing back
up for many of her friends. She's been here singing for 8 showcases
including in November when her very own group, UNITY performed.
Lara believes that her life has been truly blessed, as she has been
able to make singing a real career. She currently is the lead singer
with the Stay Tuned Orchestra. She's been on TV twice singing with
Bobbi Wilsyn and Kym Franklin. She also continues with her private
voice instruction and was even able to coach one of her students,
Carrie Schwebl as she prepared to perform for the Singer Spotlight
Jr. How does she do it all, you ask? With the love and support of
her incredibly loving husband Dell and her beautiful daughter Anya
as well as all her family and friends. She also extends a special
note of thanks to Becca and Amy for continuing to believe in her
and giving her the many opportunities to do what she loves. As with
all her performances, Lara hopes to be a shining light and make
a joyful noise for the Lord. Enjoy!
Val Leventhal
Bec
Hunter
Bec
Hunter is a former musical theatre girl who is now fusioning her
talents into the rock n' roll arena. Many years of acting included
favorite roles in "Hair", "Cabaret", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat" and "Into the Woods". She now sings with Chicago funk/rock
band, Abzu. Bec has also performed locally at Andy's with the Bloom
School of Jazz and at the Beat Kitchen in the Chick Singer Night
series. She thanks Amy and Matt for their fabulous back-ups, Joel
for his constant support and MeMaw for making the trip up from St.
Louis to see this show.
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