Personal Dedication
I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone
who has contributed their talents and time to this project. This has been a
dream come true for me and has enabled me to share a part of my heritage and
love of music with those of whom I cherish. The holiday season is such a
special time and more importantly, a time to recognize those who are special
to us. My goal for this project was to create something unique that
recognizes not only American, but also Greek, Spanish, German, and even
Caribbean traditions of music. This album was a lot of fun to
create! May it bring you a smile during your holiday season!
I wish to take a minute and share with you my humble beginnings leading up
to this project: It was when I was four years old that I began my start as
a singer in the backyard porch of our dear
neighbors, the Rectors. I would sing 'Tomorrow' from the musical Annie
almost daily for them and they would encourage and applaud my efforts. From
there, I participated in Choirs and private voice lessons and attended
Summer Show Choir Camps to maintain my voice.
In 1999, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Music from Western
Michigan University. After finishing my degree and working in the 'real
world' for several months, I moved back to my roots in Chesterton, Indiana
to pursue a second degree. During this time, I focused only on academics and
paid no attention to my needs to perform. However, this would not last long!
From 2001-2002, I was fortunate to discover a hidden treasure in Chesterton:
The Fourth Street Theatre Company playhouse. I was blessed with three
opportunities to polish my skills as a singer and actress while giving
something back to the community.
Again, a second vocal hiatus was needed in order to focus on more academics!
However, as with the previous hiatus, music found me once again! This time,
several moments of serendipity would play a part in enabling me to reach
even higher with my abilities and try for the unknown: an
ORIGINAL music CD!
I was blessed with a chance meeting of a fabulous vocal instructor named
Sharon Burawa in May. She has not only improved my vocal range, but more
importantly, she has given me the courage and confidence to sing with heart
and feeling again. For that, I will be forever grateful!
The second moment of serendipity came when I encountered Harry Honard and
Trevor Huster. Trevor is my producer and musical advisor at Diecaster
Studios here in Erie, PA, while Harry is my percussionist and arranger and
also my connection to my keyboardist, Mark Alpaugh. Through these four
wonderful people, I have managed to work from August 2003 until November,
2003 to finish this project. I sometimes wonder if life is merely a
combination of preparation meeting opportunity, and an Angel from above
guiding those opportunities!
Thank you for taking a moment to read my story. I hope it inspires you to
fulfill YOUR dreams and do whatever challenges, but excites you the most.
Finally, always remember that life is not merely an accident, but rather a
series of 'choose your own adventure' books you can take another road at
any time and see where it leads!
This CD would not have been possible without the help and support of many
special 'Angels'. I wish to thank God for giving me a chance to use my gift
and love of music for something
meaningful and good. My family, thank you for always cheering me on, no
matter WHAT I do! I am so grateful to call you my family! Keka, thank you
for the legal advice and guidance regarding 'non musical' jargon! YUCK! That
is definitely NOT my department! Stylianos, my friend and lyric
translator throughout this project, Se Efxaristw Polh!!! Sharon, you have
been such a positive influence and fantastic coach throughout this project!
I am so blessed to have you as my teacher and guide. Finally, to my awesome
musicians and producer: Harry, Mark, and Trevor you are the paint that
fills the space on the mural! You have added so much color, texture and life
to this
project! I could not have done it without all of you! Thank you for your
time, patience (especially with my wacky ideas of how to 'kick things up a
notch' on some of these tunes!), energy (man can you guys play!), guidance,
and friendship!
To my friends at LECOM, the people of Erie, PA, and Chesterton, IN,
MERRY CHRISTMAS
KALA CRISTOUGENNA,
KAI XRONIA POLLA!!
Me Agaph,
With Love,
Cristina
Christina
