Jazz & Brunch 2013

Jazz & Brunch

Session Bistro

Sunday 4/28 @ 11-3pm

245 Maywood Avenue, Maywood, NJ

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$20 Adults, $10 Kids

With

LIVE MUSIC

with Vinny Macaro, Jr, Sarah Solow, Jim Cagle, and more

50/50 CASH RAFFLE

To Benefit: peace4paws

1st Prize - 50% of half the amount collected 

2nd Prize - 30% of half the amount collected 

3rd Prize - 20% of half the amount collected

Drawing Date: April 28, 2012 at 3:00 pm 

Session Bistro

245 Maywood Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607

This is a 50/50 Cash Raffle and winners will receive 50%, 30% and 20% of half the amount receive for all tickets or rights to participated.

Winner need not be present. 

Donation: 

$1.00 per chance

$10.00 per book 

About Session Bistro

Session Bistro is a casual modern dining experience at an affordable value. Our New American Cuisine features an eclectic mix of Western and Eastern flavors using seasonal and natural ingredients made fresh daily by our creative Chef giving you the best unique gastronomic experience at a reasonable price.

They offer you excellent service and a relaxed contemporary atmosphere where you can unwind while savoring a delightful culinary experience, whether you’re out on a food adventure or enjoying the company of good friends, family and loved ones 

Many peace4paws members have dined there and were completely satisfied. Organic salads are available for vegetarians and vegans that are GMO free!  There is something delightful there for everyone to eat and great service too!  

Outside dinning welcome patrons with their dogs as well!  

Purchase tickets through peace4paws.org via PayPal or 

by calling Sara at 203 - 915 - 2478

plus at these Westwood merchants: 

Lewis Drugs

Watch Out Jewelers 

Westwood Pets

Thank you Sarah Solow for volunteering your talents again for the cause.  peace4paws invites you to visit Sarah's website www.pianoartist.com for more info and for future events. 

peace4paws highly recommends Sarah !!!! 

Thank you Vinny Maccaro, Jr. for bringing your talent and love to our event.  

Please these wonderful performers bio's at the end of the page. 

We are very grateful to our sponsors for Animal Benefit Weekend 2013

Animal Benefit Weekend 2013 is sponsored by 

Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets, Open Doors, Doggie Deuce, RML and Puddy and the Beagle Boys. 

The food sponsors include Westwood’s: 

It’s Greek to Me, Your Way Café and Bakery, Pompilios, Westwood Diner and Pancake House 

and from River Vale: Crecco’s. 

Here is some info on our performers:

Vinncent Maccaro Jr., piano

Vinncent Maccaro Jr., jazz pianist, graduated from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music ('81) where he studied piano performance and piano tuning-technology.  He also studied drums with Gary Chester, the most influential studio drummer of his time who performed with such greats as Frank Sinatra, Burt Bacharach, Diana Ross, Dianne Warwick, Jim Croce, Bobby Vinton, Quincy Jones and dozens and dozens of all-time musical greats. Upon graduating Shenandoah Conservatory, during the following summer of '82 he landed the distinct job of Piano Tuner-Technician for the Municipal and National Theaters in Caracas, Venezuela. There he tuned the concert grands for weekly shows including Jazz legend Ron Carter. When he was not tuning he was rebuilding and restringing pianos. Vinny Maccaro Jr. currently is a registered Piano Tuner-Technician and owner of Best Design Contracting LLC, a NJ licensed Home Improvement Contractor.

Sarah Solow, piano

Sarah Solow is a Jazz pianist who also plays pop and rock standards regularly in the tri-state area. Sarah has performed in Las Vegas / AC / Europe. Please visit her website:   www.pianoartist.com. When Sarah is not enthusiastically supporting animal causes she is the sole proprietor of Rollin Lawn Mower Repair LLC. This is a mobile service company that repairs all types of power equipment On-Site serving Bergen, Rockland & Passaic counties. She is also a Computer Diagnostic & Repair specialist  &  builds custom computers and offers network solutions. Please visit http://www.lawnmowerdoctor.com www.mobilepchospital.com

Thank you very much to our underwriting sponsor, our local pharmacist, Lewis Drugs and other generous contributors!

Harriet says "Click here to buy tickets! 

See I'm beggin because it is so important to us Freegles, Beagles, and peoples.." 

Harriet says "It was so much fun last year! Look at Mommy singing to me at the Finale!"

Songs of Hope 2012  2 p.m. to 3. p.m. (which includes Reception & Exhibit Event) 

Opera Event "Compassion for All" introduces some new performers to our core volunteer group.

We will tell you about some of these wonderful new performers.

One such performer is the lovely dramatic soprano Sara Henry. "Hailed by the Jerusalem Post as “A Magnificent, Dramatic Voice” soprano Sara Henry has charmed audiences around the world. She began her formal vocal studies at La Scuola di Musico di Sesto in Florence, Italy, and later went on to graduate from Sarah Lawrence College, where she made her debut as the alto soloist in Bach's Christmas Oratorio, with the Sarah Lawrence College Orchestra, under the baton of Grammy-winning composer, George Tsontakis.

Possessing a strong lower register, Ms. Henry sang successfully as a lyric mezzo for several years before ultimately making the transition to soprano repertoire in 2008. As such, she has had the opportunity to perform an amazingly wide variety of operatic repertoire. Highlights of her career have included the soprano roles of Elvira (I Puritani), Norina (Don Pasquale) Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) and Semiramide (Semiramide) as well as the mezzo roles of Orfeo (Orfeo ed Euridice), Diana (La Calisto), Adalgisa (Norma), Giovanna Seymour (Anna Bolena), the title role in Carmen, and a trio of Handelian heroes: Ariodante (Ariodante), Ruggiero (Alcina), and Arsamene (Serse).

In addition to opera, she has frequently appeared as a concert soloist in the tri-state area, and has served as the alto soloist at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church of White Plains, NY, since 2006. Upcoming engagements include the role of Donna Elvira in Palisades Opera’s production of Don Giovanni, highlights from William Grant Still’s seldom-performed opera, Troubled Island, at the University of Ottawa, and a solo recital to benefit Sea Change Theater Company of Beverly, MA. "

Another is spintotenor Kevin Courtemanche. New York City tenor Kevin Courtemanche (The Duke in Verdi’s Rigoletto excerpts) has plied his trade throughout the United States, France and even the Czech Republic. Kevin created the Brigadier General in Philip Glass' Appomattox at San Francisco Opera. In the Tri-State area he has performed as Offenbach’s Hoffmann, Radamès in Aida, Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos, Don José in Carmen, Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana, the Duke in Rigoletto, Alfredo in La traviata, Carlo VII in Giovanna d’Arco, the Chevalier in Dialogues des Carmélites, Pluto in Orpheus in the Underworld and Don Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro, with such companies as New Rochelle Opera, Vertical Player Repertory, dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, New York Grand Opera, Osh Opera, Opera at Florham (New Jersey) and his home company, Hudson Opera Theatre. Elsewhere he has played Verdi’s Otello, Gounod’s Faust, Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Calaf in Turandot, Canio in Pagliacci, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Macduff in Macbeth, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Judge Danforth in The Crucible, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi and Rodolfo in La bohème. He has also been a member of the choruses of the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Opera New Jersey and Opera Orchestra of New York, among others. Future engagements include the title role in Verdi’s Otello with Riverbend Opera, performing in Washington, DC and Virginia in June 2012.

Jeannette LoVetri is the Director of The Voice Workshop in New York City where she teaches singing for a wide variety of professional singers and also individuals recovering from vocal illness and injury. Her method to train teachers of singing in Contemporary Commercial Music Styles Somatic Voicework™, is presented at Shenandoah University, at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, The University of Michigan and at Oklahoma Central University. She is also Singing Specialist with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, a Grammy® winning children’s chorus. She has lectured and taught worldwide for three decades and is a recognized expert in vocal production. For more info please seewww.thevoiceworkshop.com.

Songs of Hope Musical Theatre, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (which includes Reception & Exhibit Event). 

"Karma Songs".  

Melanie Portsche, Harriet and the Freegles are back.  Jody Mullen will join Melanie, Harriet and the Freegles Troupe for some fabulous fun and beautiful singing. Gabrielle Salerno reinvents herself with a new group of fantastic singers. Gabby's group showcases the talents of  Alexa Fisektsis, Victoria Lopez,  Chris Mangum, Danielle Martin, John Sapida, and Jason Ver Hage. Jim Cagle will sing some Jerome Kern Broadway and Jazz Standards with Jennifer Cece and surprise guests. Veteran performers, Aaron Berk and Crown Production members Aysa and Ron Morehead, Liz Toleno, and Johanna Tacadena  will open the show.   Yeah! 

We are so grateful to have the continued support of these wonderful performers !!! 

And trilled are we.. because this year.... Broadway Sensation Cheryl Freeman will be debuting with peace4paws on April 22, 2012 bringing the strength, beauty and determination from her amazing voice to this cause to help support sanctuary for the animals of research and related fields.  

 Cheryl Freeman is a veteran of stage, screen, and television. Her theatrical credits include work on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional productions, as well as her solo show, I'm Every Woman. On Broadway, Cheryl has been seen in several shows including Showboat, The Who's Tommy, where she originated the role of The Acid Queen and The Civil War, in which she originated the role of Bessie Toler.  Off-Broadway, Cheryl has been seen in roles in Walmartopia, Fame on 42nd Street and more. Cheryl's voice can be heard as Melpomene the Muse of Tragedy in Walt Disney's animated movie and television series, Hercules.  Further television credits include Law & Order: Criminal Intent, One Life to Live and more.  

Our Press Release

Peace4paws will be presenting the second annual Songs of Hope at the Grace Episcopal Church, 9 Harrington Avenue, Westwood, New Jersey, for the benefit of sanctuaries that rehabilitate and find homes for the animals of research and related fields on Sunday, April 22, 2012 beginning at 2 pm. Mike Stabler, Executive Director of the Kindness Ranch will be a special guest at the event.

Peace4paws is a recognized 501 (c) 3 charity public charity dedicated to raising awareness for the necessity of permanent sanctuary and forever homes for the animals of research and related fields through fundraising, student outreach and related activities. Peace4paws was formed in 2007 by Jennifer Cece Bellon and Susan Boudrot from the painful acknowledgement that advocacy for research animals, especially the area of companion animal advocacy, is the most neglected area of companion animal welfare.  

In 2010 Kindness Ranch newsletter appeared in our mailbox! We were thrilled at the thought of directing our energies to support a 1000 acre sanctuary devoted entirely to retired research animals!  Who in the community could possibly object to this kind of compassion?  Who could possibly deny the right for an animal, such as a sweet beagle who had lived their entire life in a laboratory serving everyone but them self, the opportunity for sanctuary and a real home?  So, to assure our donors that Kindness Ranch was as wonderful as it seemed, we visited Kindness Ranch.  See the Kindness Ranch page on our site. The visit served as a great opportunity for us to ease the minds of our donors, who may sometimes be skeptical of charities, and to hand-deliver the funds.  It allowed for our personal testimonials and pictures to show that Kindness Ranch was indeed worthy of endorsement.  Via a shared great concern for the animals of research and related fields and a desire to make a positive impact for them, the peace4paws team has been incredibly delighted to have discovered Kindness Ranch! 

People need to know that these “research” animals are no different than non-research animals of the same breed or species, who we consider "pets". Just as their pet deserves love, so does that same dog, cat, horse, etc. in a laboratory!  Please visit the pages for Harriet and Puddy, and Cleo who are former testing dogs and horses, and Blackie and Liberty, who are retired blood donors.

Our other beneficiaries include the sanctuary where Cleo lives happily, which is Mylestone Equine Rescue in Philipsburg, New Jersey, as well as The Beagle Freedom Project, Valley Village, California, and the Hudson Valley Humane Society, Pomona, New York where Liberty, the blood donor is still sheltered and awaiting her forever home.

We are thrilled to announce our second annual benefit, "Songs of Hope" with two concerts and a reception and exhibit event on April 22, 2012 will be presented during World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week (April 21st through April 29th). The afternoon promises two back-to-back shows and one great peace4paws-style reception and exhibit event at the Grace Episcopal Church 9 Harrington Avenue, Westwood, New Jersey. The same Episcopal church, led by Father Rob Rhodes who presides over the Blessing of the Animals every year in October, and this last year, in fact, was linked with peace4paws’ Pawsfest at the same church at the same time which raised funds and awareness for the animals of research and related fields living at the Kindness Ranch, The Hudson Valley Humane Society and Mylestone Equine Rescue. Here are the details for Songs of Hope 2, 2012:  

At 2pm, peace4paws presents "Songs of Hope from Opera" featuring singers from the Palisades Opera.  All of the singers have performed extensively in the New York City area and many have significant international credits.  One such renowned opera singer is Sara Henry, who has performed in Germany, Italy, Israel, and the US, captivating audiences with her portrayals of Carmen, as well as Mozart and Verdi heroines.  Most of these singers have captivated Westwood audiences in their portrayals of Puccini characters in the La Boheme also at Grace Episcopal Church.  Back again will be Mimi, Rudolph, Musetta, and Marcello, but, playing roles in Don Giovanni and other famous operas. Those singers include Bergen and Rockland based board members Jennifer Cece Bellon, Ronni Sarrett Lederman, Robert Prowse, Kenneth Whiteman, Dennis Fox, and Jim Cagle. A special guest artist will be the renown voice teacher and singing voice specialist, Jeannette Lovetri, founder of the Somatic Voicework ™. And, to top it off, it is rumored that there may even be an appearance from our male mascot dog, peace4paws’s Blackie, a rescued blood donor hound, as Blackie adores opera music.  We believe that Puddy will definitely be at that show representing the Freegle beagles! 

At 3:30pm, peace4paws presents "Songs of Hope from Broadway" featuring Broadway and Screen Sensation, Cheryl Freeman.  Cheryl has performed leading roles on Broadway including the role of The Acid Queen in "The Who's Tommy" and Bessie Toler in "Civil War", as well as voicing the role of Melpomene the Muse of Tragedy in the Walt Disney movie, "Hercules" and a variety of roles Off-Broadway and on television including "Law & Order: Criminal Intent", "New York Undercover" and more.  She will be joined by many other performers with Broadway, Off-Broadway and New York credits like Aaron Berk, the brother of our Second Vice President, Amanda Berk, who is also a certified dog trainer. Our Finance Chair & CPA, Jim Cagle will grace the stage, as well.  And one very special New York performer will be Melanie Portsche, the proud mother of freegle, Harriet, our female peace4paws mascot-beagle.  Harriet was one of 120 beagles and 55 primates emancipated from a bankrupt New Jersey laboratory just in time for Independence Day in July, 2010 through an amazing combined effort of animal activists and animal rescue organizations.  Harriet and a number of her fellow freegles will be in attendance and will be making an appearance in support of peace4paws and the many other animals of research still in laboratories, hoping for their sanctuary and "home", too. 

This year we are incredibly honored that Kindness Ranch's Executive Director, Mike Stabler, will be introducting for both of our concerts and will have a table at the reception.  Mike's visit offers our guests the great opportunity to learn more about the amazing work that Kindness Ranch is doing for animals of research and related fields and to hear more about this beautiful sanctuary and the mission behind it.  We've certainly been thrilled to follow their work and new arrivals including the recent Thanksgiving week arrival at the Ranch of 16 dogs who had been used in Lyme disease research.  

At 3 pm, right after the Opera Show finishes, our Reception and Exhibit Event to honor the animals of research and related fields will commence.  This reception will include delicious vegetarian food, free samples, vendors, raffle prizes, holistic wellness and information tables and piano music by Sarah Solow also of Bergen County. Some of our vendors include Pet's First Aid Kits with Natural Essentail Oils for Pets and People; Westwood Pets Supplies; Gina Calogero, a member of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (ALPB) specializing in pet custody and trusts and author of "Pitfalls for Pittbulls: NJ's Vicious Dog Act"; Vital Essentials (pioneers of the raw food pet diet), Pet & People Sketcher, Laurie Harden (please bring photos of your pets and Laurie will once again create a beautiful sketch of your pet, just like she did in Pawsfest); Silpada Jewelry; Elizabeth Hess, Holistic Wellness Facilitator, Juno Rescued Beagle, Lewis Drugs, Sound Earth (products safes for people, pets and the planet) and more.  There will be lots of free samples of animal, people and environmentally friendly products and lots of delicious foods. This event is underwritten in part by our local, animal friendly pharmacist Lewis Drugs of Westwood, New Jersey. 

The admission for one individual show is $20 for adults, $15 for students and / or seniors and $10 for children under ten years of age.  If you are interested in attending both shows, admission is $30 for adults, $20 for students and / or seniors and $10 for children under ten years of age.  If you would prefer to attend only the reception, admission is $10.00 . Tickets can be purchased on our “donate” page through PayPal.

Peace4paws is always looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of our organization including fundraising, fliers, our website, greeters and more.  Please visit contact us here at www.peace4paws.org to learn how you can help!

We will put an updated list of performer bios up soon.  Most of the performers listed below will be back this year. It will be a wonderful show and even better reception with lots of free samples, delicious foods, cool booths including the opportunity to meet Executive Director of the Kindness Ranch, Mike Stabler himself, and of course great prizes !!!

EVENT SUMMARY

2011

This is Puddy at The Blessing of the Animals, 2011. Freegle Puddy, is a rescued lab beagle, and an extremely happy boy! Thanks to the advocates who believe that research animals deserve a chance, Puddy is with us today, living a great life with his loving family in Bergen County. 

Now he even has his own coffee flavor, which he is very proud of... so when you come to Pawsfest, on Sunday, October 7th,be sure to try Puddy's special Freegle French Vanilla gourmet coffee from Moondoggie of Hackensack, NJ, www.Moondoggie.com, and help more beagles like him have the opportunity to love and play and run and attend fun events like Pawsfest! 

If you need some gourmet coffee sooner please visit our sponsors Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets and Watch Out Jewelers, all of Westwood, New Jersey.

And here is the lovely female Freegle, Harriet, her coffee is called Harriet's Heavenly Hazelnut, available at www.moondoggie.com, here she is performing at the Songs of Hope, with doting parents Melanie and Van. She will be at the Blessing of the Animals 2012 as well! 

2012

Thank You To All Those Who Supported This Event!

Thanks to the generosity of our audience and donors we were able to raise almost 50 percent more money than last year and thus we were able to add two more charities to our list of beneficiaries - Mindy's Memories Primate Sanctuary of Oklahoma ( the place where the Harriet, Juno, and Puddy Freegle  Beagle monkey friends were rescued to after AniClin (of New Jersey)  closed down, please see the whole story on Harriet's page. ) and Save the Chimps of Florida.  We had wanted from the start to help the monkeys too, and now, finally we were able to do so. Our beneficiaries includeHudson Valley Humane Society, Pomona, New York (home of Liberty, the former blood donor cat), Mylestone Equine Rescue, Phillipsburg, New Jersey (home of Cleo, the former contagious equine metritis test mare), Beagle Freedom Project, Valley Village, California ( rescue for laboratory beagles), and the Kindness Ranch, Hartsville, Wyoming. 

Kindness Ranch Executive Director, Mike Stabler, presented at the beginning of both Songs of Hope shows and spent time meeting everyone at the reception. We learned first hand that he is a humble down to earth guy that has an incredible amount of knowledge about the research animal industry and sanctuary. He also had a wealth of knowledge.

 ***** Our Reception and Exhibits Event was beautiful thanks to Susan Boudrot of Westwood Pets and all our wonderful volunteers who helped in many ways in addition to the reception as well, such as Alix Boudrot, Amanda Berk, Elaine Berk, Charles Bellon, John Mendlovitz, Dan McNaught, Sue DiStefano, Mickie Roman, Tom Timbrook (Darress Theatre), Sherie Pinella, Kate Aubrey,Mary Rachich, Artie Cohen, Jim Cagle, Katie Cagle, Cathy Schmidt, Michael Roemer, Melanie Portche, Van Portche, Mary Beth Barnhart, and her daughter, and so many more . ******

Our reception was filled with delicious food (thank you Vicky Charron), raffle prizes, free samples of dog & cat foods and items, shopping opportunities for animals and people, holistic health, animal law, and more. Pianist Sarah Solow played wonderful piano music throughout the reception with surprise singers. 

All of our performers, such as Melanie Portche and Harriet below were absolutely fantastic. Amazing talent converged in Westwood to help the animals of research and related fields.  We are so thankful and appreciative to have had Sara Henry, and the Palisades Opera which included board members Jennifer Cece Bellon, Jim Cagle and Ronni Sarrett Lederman among us.

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peace4paws is recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) 3 public charity  //  all donations are tax deductible

Here are some pix from "Music for the Animals" a benefit for the animals of the Kindness Ranch www.KindnessRanch.com. This variety show was presented at the Darress Theatre, August 6, 2010.

To view all the pictures please visit Facebook and join our group www.peace4paws.org they are all there. 

The following performers volunteered their time and talent to help animals in need:

Amanda  DeGeorge, Amanda Leslie, Ben Birkenfeld, Carmen Artis, Clara Boudrot, Crista Orefice, Danny D.,Gregory Cilmi, Jason DeGeorge, Jennifer Cece, Jeremy Fuscaldo,  Jim Cagle, John Hammel, Jon Boudrot, Katie Cagle,  Kenneth Bennett Lane, Lauren Mc Fadden, Leah Pranschke, Mark Dacey, Miriam Sapozhnikov, Regan Ryzuk, Ronni Lederman, Samantha Boudrot, Talar Kupelian, and Tom Pranschke.   

Artists included:

Alix Boudrot, Hannah Bellon, Jene Nickford, Philip Negri, Tracy Morgan .

 The singers are professionals and students of all ages united by their compassion and respect for animals.  Together we paid tribute to the millions of animals who will or have already participated in live  "animal testing" experiments. We support sanctuary for all these animals. All proceeds from this event went to support The Kindness Ranch. 

There were also donations by Westwood Pets, Amanda's No Tricks Just Treats, Lewis Drugs, Yappy Dazes Petsitting, Furry Tails Dog Training, Juluka Yoga, Watch Out Jewelers, Jennifer Cece Vocals, Ronni Lederman Vocal Studios, The Pet Lodge (Groomers), Sydney Madison Salon ,Sky of Sunshine, Tyrells Florist and more.

The use of the theater had been donated to us by the generous, Tom Timbrook, who is the owner of the Darress Theatre and Boonton Photo, www.darresstheater.com.

Leah Pranschke and ,dad, Tom Pranschke perform the Boxer, at the Darress Theatre of Boonton. 

Regan Ryzuk, at the piano, John Hammel, tenor, and Carmen Artis, soprano sing Ain't Misbehavin.

Jon Boudrot and Samantha Boudrot perform a Beatles tune.

Rozanne Sullivan and Lauren McFadden perform a Medley arranged by Rozanne. 

Jason DeGeorge, Amanda Gugliotta DeGeorge, and Jennifer Cece, perform "In My Life" by the Beatles. 

College Freshmen, Jeremy Fuscaldo, student of Jennifer Cece, sings and plays a tune from Pearl Jam.

Ken Lane sings to his cat Celia. 
http://www.wagneropera.com/Meet.htm Wagnerian tenor, Ken Lane, sang very tenderly to Celia.

Animal Benefit Weekend 
Day 2

peace4 paws presents...............

Speech Level Singing Intro & Applications Workshop with Linda Balliro

Saturday, April 27, 3 – 5:30 pm.

Westwood Music Studios

190 Westwood Avenue

Westwood, New Jersey

Audit $30, Perform $60

Peace4paws welcomes ages 8-80, beginner to professional level singers, as well as pure beginners, to learn practical tools immediately applicable to their singing. Following a short lecture/demonstration, participants will work with Linda on technique or repertoire.  Auditors can observe the process and ask questions. 

Linda Balliro maintains a Level 3 certification as a Speech Level Singing instructor, a rigorous training & evaluation program developed by Seth Riggs, the voice teacher of stars like Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Ozzy Ozborne, Liza Minelli, Natalie Cole, Cher, Prince, Michael Jackson & more.

A reception will follow where you can speak with Linda, the other singers, representative from peace4paws and Mike Stabler from the Kindness Ranch.  The benefiary of this event is the Kindness Ranch www.kindnessranch.org.

Linda Balliro

Ms. Balliro graduated from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a B.M. in Vocal Performance. She also studied and performed in Central Europe for over a decade. Including concert, church, and opera performance.  She began her teaching career on the voice faculty of Vienna Conservatory in the Musical Theater Department.  She maintains Level 3 certification as a Speech Level Singing Instructor, a rigorous training and evaluation program developed by Seth Riggs. Her students include classical, musical theater, singer/songwriter and rock musicians, many of whom are performing regularly in the US and Europe. Several of Ms. Balliro's students are also training to be vocal instructors. 

Linda Balliro maintains a private studio in Boston, teaching a diverse group of students in person and via SKYPE: classical, singer/songwriters, broadway, jazz and rock singers, including Mike Gordon, bassist with PHISH.  Linda has been personally trained and certified by Seth Riggs for over five years.  Linda, an 11 year vegan, is very happy to support peace4paws in it's efforts to raise funds for sanctuary for the retired animals of research and related fields.  For more information please visit www.ballirovocalstudio.com.  

Seth Riggs

In the middle of his concert at the Forum in Los Angeles, superstar Stevie Wonder stopped the show to acknowledge a man who has had much to do with the success and longevity of his vocal career. He wasn't referring to his manager or record producer. He was referring to Seth Riggs - his voice teacher. 

Seth Riggs is considered by many to be the best and most successful voice teacher in the world. No other teacher, past or present, has ever matched his phenomenal track record. His students are a veritable "Who's Who" of singers, actors, dancers, and entertainers throughout the world. 

Seth Riggs's vocal technique and the methods he uses to teach the technique were forged and tempered by the fierce demands placed on the world's top performers, who must often perform several shows a night - night after night!  His clients' voices must be able to function easily, without strain. www.sethriggs.com

Seth Riggs' Speech Level Singing Certified Instructor Level 3.5

 We are very grateful to our sponsors for Animal Benefit Weekend 2013

Animal Benefit Weekend 2013 is sponsored by 
Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets, Open Doors, Doggie Deuce, RML and Puddy and the Beagle Boys. 

The food sponsors include Westwood’s: 
It’s Greek to Me, Your Way Café and Bakery, Pompilios, Westwood Diner and Pancake House 
and from River Vale: Crecco’s. 
Speech Level Singing: Introduction and Application Workshop
Linda Balliro, certified instructor
Regional Representative US Northeast
Seth Riggs is the "singer of stars"* and the founder of a highly influential vocal pedagogy. His approach to vocal training is directly descendant from the Schola Cantorum, a training school for the papal choir in Rome in the 17th Century.
Maestro Seth Riggs’ Speech Level Singing was forged and tempered by the fierce demands placed on the top performers of the second half of the 20th century. SLS is exceptionally adaptable to a broad range of styles, because it does not force a manufactured technique. Applied in Opera to Rock; Jazz to Pop; Musical Theatre to Rythm and Blues, over 120 Grammy award winners and 4 Metropolitan Opera National winners learned to sing with SLS and continue using the scales, tool and strategies throughout their careers. SLS is also practiced by Academy Award winning actors and industry leaders to perfect their vocal presence and empower them in speech. 

Speech Level Singing certified instructor, Ms. Balliro's teaching approach is based on over 3 decades of music education, vocal study,pedagogical studies and performing.She says:

Singers sing by feel. Just the way a pianist learns to feel the three black keys and two white keys beneath their hands, and where the string player feels along the bridge of their instrument, a singer feels the muscles of respiration, phonation, articulation and resonance, even when they have no training, education or intellectual awareness of them. The only way singers can develop new vocal habits, is to experience the feeling - rather than imagine, intellectualize, or develop a philosophy or idea, as is so often the case in today’s voice teaching. So the challenge of the voice teacher becomes - how to get the student to experience the most effective and efficient use of the muscles of respiration, phonation, articulation and resonance.

More Information to follow about the workshop later but spaces are limited for the class, so call Viinnie at Westwood Music Studios 201 666 2539 to reserve your space.  In this case your interest and love of music can help animals in need ---- so don't hestitate please come !!

We are very grateful to our sponsors 

Animal Benefit Weekend 2013 is sponsored by 
Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets, Open Doors, Doggie Deuce, RML and Puddy and the Beagle Boys. 

The food sponsors include Westwood’s: 
It’s Greek to Me, Your Way Café and Bakery, Pompilios, Westwood Diner and Pancake House and from River Vale: Crecco’s. 

Our Honoree

 Founding Sponsor - Mandy Grant, E-RYT 500

 Owner and Head Teacher at Juluka Yoga

Founder, owner, and head yoga instructor at Juluka Yoga, Hillsdale, NJ, Mandy Grant is also the proud mom of the talented young award winning golfer Kyle and the beautiful and gregarious Westy Charlie.  She taught peace4paws about the the ahimsa which means non-violence to all living things. Her spin on this concept inspired the birth of this charity.  Yes, Mandy has been an inspiration to peace4paws from the beginning as well as to hundreds of adults of all ages who entrusted her to teach them about yoga so they could hopefully share all the good that yoga has to offer to others as well.

Mandy write on her website www.julukayoga.com “I knew from the beginning that I wanted to teach yoga, so I began to study in earnest. I have been blessed to have experienced the guidance and teachings of some of the most wonderful yoga teachers out there. They have included the well known, like Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Duncan Wong, Dharma Mittra and David Life and Sharon Gannon. I have also been taught by the lesser known names, and their guidance, teachings and inspiration have meant more to me than they will ever know.”

Yoga is more than just stretching, strengthening, and breathing.  It is a philosophy.  It is about peacefulness.

Mandy writes “I truly believe that yoga is the answer to so many problems in our world. It raises our consciousness, opens our hearts, and enables us to realize the innate compassion and love that exists in all of us. Although the teachings and theories of yoga are thousands of years old, they so apply to us today. I came to yoga initially to get fit, a better body, and if it made me more relaxed-well that was cool. I was not aware of all the other precious gifts I was to receive on the way.”

It is obvious that the inspiration Mandy Grant has received on her journey is something she shares with others with genuine enthusiasm and conviction.  Helping animals helps people.  Mandy has directly helped animal charities through peace4paws consistently for the past seven years.  Peace4paws and Juluka co-sponsor a horse at Mylestone Equine Rescue named Cleo for about five years now. Mandy doesn’t want to see any animal suffer, and thus has helped peace4paws from the onset.  More on Mandy at the event (or at her studio).  She is quite stunning in person in more ways than one.

We welcome 2 new performers Erin and Jovier!

Erin Schwab

Erin Schwab recently complete her undergraduate studies at Rutgers' Mason Gross School of the Arts, where she received a B.M. In Vocal Performance. Previous operatic roles include Lucia (The Rape of Lucretia), Nanetta (Falstaff), Noèmie (Cendrillon) and Lucy Lockitt (The Beggar's Opera). For the past three years, Erin has participated as a young artist at the Castleon Fetival, where she worked intensively with the late conductor and founder of the festival, Lorin Maazel. She was a national semifinalist in the 2012 Classical Singer competition and a national finalist in the 2013 New York Lyric Opera Theatre competition.

Jovier Sanchez

Jovier Sanchez has been concertizing and appearing in opera and musical theatre all over the tri-state area for nearly 24 years.  He recently made his rock-opera debut in Cliff Jones' Rockabye Hamlet

as Hamlet.  He also made his Canadian debut with Sara Henry in William Grant Still's rarely performed masterwork, Troubled Island, as Vuval.  Favorite roles (operatic and otherwise) include:

Le Comte Ory (title role); Anna Bolena (Hervey); Roberto Devereaux (Cecil/title role understudy); Il Trovatore (Ruiz/rehearsal Manrico); Don Giovanni (Don Ottavio);

Little Shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik); Bad Seed (LeRoy); Sweeney Todd (Pirelli); Mozart's requiem (soloist); Rossini's Stabat Mater (soloist); Orff's Carmina Burana (soloist); Handel's Messiah (soloist). Enjoy the show!

Jennifer Cece

Jennifer Cece Bellon, soprano, of Westwood, NJ is glad to be performing at Bibi’z again for Peace4Paws. Favorite opera roles include Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro,

Musetta in La Boheme, Blonchen in The Abduction from the Seraglio and Semiramide in Semiramide. Other favorite performances include appearances in NYC with the New York Opera Forum and

Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, and in NJ: Rapunzel in Rapunzel at the Paper Mill Playhouse. She has sang with the North Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Rockland Symphony Orchestra, and

Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. Ms. Cece attended the University of Richmond on a vocal scholarship, and earned a Masters in Music in classical Vocal Performance at New Jersey City University.

She was the first place winner in the NATS 2000 opera competition and has been teaching voice for 18 years. (See www.JenniferVocals.com) Future performances include the role of Armida in

Rinaldo with the New York Opera Forum this November 2014.

Jim Cagle

Bass-baritone Jim Cagle is a resident of Westwood as well as a native Oklahoman. Jim has performed several roles with Palisades Opera including Benoit and Alcindoro in La Boheme, Masetto in Don

Giovanni and Bartolo in Le nozze de Figaro. Earlier this year Jim performed in Andrea Chenier and, this summer, will be performing the role of Osmin in Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail with the New York Opera Forum in NYC. 

Sara Henry

Hailed by the Jerusalem Post as "A Magnificent Dramatic Voice" versatile mezzo-soprano Sara Henry has sung leading and supporting roles in more than 30 operas, and has been seen in concert

throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Ms. Henry began her formal vocal studies at La Scuola di Musico di Sesto in Florence, Italy, and later went on to graduate from Sarah Lawrence College, where she made her debut as the alto soloist in Bach's Weinachts Oratorio, under the baton of Grammy winning composer, George Tsontakis. Highlights of her career have included the roles of Semiramide (Semiramide), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Diana (La Calisto), Adalgisa (Norma), Giovanna Seymour (Anna Bolena), Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) Xerxes (Xerxes) and the title role in Carmen, as well as a trio of Handelian heroes: Ariodante (Ariodante), Ruggiero (Alcina), and Arsamene (Serse). Ms. Henry also had the honor of portraying the dual roles of Azelia and Claire in the Canadian premiere of William Grant Still's seldom performed opera, Troubled Island.

Ronni Sarrett Lederman

Soprano Ronni Sarrett Lederman has sung Mini in La Boheme, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro with Palisades Opera, of which she is the founder. Other favorite roles  performed elsewhere include Marguerite in Faust, Pamina and the First Lady in The Magic Flute, Gilda in Rigoletto, Antonia in Tales of Hoffman, and Clarina in Le cambiale di matrimonio. She has performed with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra, Rockland Opera, the New York Opera Forum, West Side Opera Society, Hudson Lyric Opera and more. She is a voice teacher with a private vocal studio in Nyack, NY.

Our press release:

BIBI'Z PRESENTS OPERA BENEFIT DINNER FOR PEACE4PAWS 

Join peace4paws on Wednesday, October 22 from 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. for Opera in October benefit dinner which includes a silent auction, passed hors d’oeuvres, a sumptuous three course dinner, singing by professional opera singers and more at Bibi’z Restaurant and Lounge, 284 Center Avenue, Westwood, NJ. 

Bibi’z is known for its global American Cuisine, fine organic wines and creative drink menu. Passed hors d’oeuvres and the silent auction will be at 6:30 pm.  The dinner to follow will include a delicious three course meal with ingredients . derived from local organic farms and sustainable fish markets and gluten free options. The main courses offered are roasted garlic-shrimp ravioli with lobster-dill cream sauce, chicken piccata, braised short ribs, vegan chick pea and edamame masala.   

The opera set will include Westwood natives' soprano Jennifer Cece and bass Jim Cagle, internationally recognized mezzo soprano, Sara Henry, Erin Schwab, Palisades Opera founder, Ronni Lederman of Nyack, and New York City tenor Jovier Sanchez and more. 

In addition, at Bibi'z on October 22 peace4paws will present another silent auction. They will offer a fine photographic print of Bruce Springstein taken by Barry Wohlman donated by Bergen County Camera and Gallery 270 .  A vacation stay at Block Island will also be offered. Other silent auction items include a signed guitar by Taylor Swift, a very rare Charles Schultz signed animated Snoopy drawing, a signed Beatles album, a signed Godfather poster, signed sheet music and photo by Katy Perry, and m ore. 

Honored at this event will be founding sponsor, Mandy Grant, Owner and Head Instructor at Juluka Yoga who has supported peace4paws since it’s inception.

Tickets for this event can be purchased by calling Bibi’z at 201.722.8600 or stopping by Bibi’z, Lewis Drugs or Watch Out Jewelers of Westwood, NJ.  

Peace4paws, is a Northern New Jersey based 501 c 3 animal advocacy charity that focuses on raising awareness and funds for the animals retired from work in research and related fields. Proceeds go to support the peace4paws foster-adoption program for the many sweet and wonderful beagles and other dogs peace4paws will be fostering, nurturing, training and re-homing this year.

Puccini & Pasta

Grace Episcopal Church

Fri. 4 / 26 @ 7 pm

9 Harrington Ave., Westwood, NJ   doors open at 6:30 pm

------------------------------

$30  //  $25  //  $15

Featuring

 Palisades Opera Singers and Guest Artists

see bios below

Purchase tickets through peace4paws.org viaPayPal or by calling Sara at 203 - 915 - 2478

plus at these Westwood merchants: 

Lewis Drugs

Watch Out Jewelers 

Westwood Pets

We are very grateful to our sponsors for Animal Benefit Weekend 2013

Animal Benefit Weekend 2013 is sponsored by 

Lewis Drugs, Westwood Pets, Open Doors, Doggie Deuce, RML and Puddy and the Beagle Boys. 

The food sponsors include Westwood’s New Jersey's: 

It’s Greek to Me, Your Way Café and Bakery, Pompilios, Westwood Diner and Pancake House,

plus Esti's Cafe from Oradell and from River Vale: Crecco’s. 

Since we are serving food indoors, no pets are permitted. However you can bring your pet to the Jazz Brunch, Sunday, April 28. 

We are honored to present these talented performers at the dinner.........

Linda Balliro, soprano

Soprano Linda Balliro is very happy to be here tonight to support such a great cause and a hardworking organization like Peace4paws. Linda has been a vegan for the past 11 years. She graduated from New England Conservatory of Music and studied and performed in Central Europe for 12 years. She has been teaching voice for 10 years, certified by Seth Riggs in Speech Level Singing. Tomorrow you can attend a workshop for singers she is teaching at the Westwood Studios that is also a fundraiser for Peace4paws.

Jennifer Cece Bellon, soprano

Jennifer Cece Bellon, soprano, of Westwood, NJ is glad to be returning to the stage of Grace Episcopal Church where she was a featured soloist inSongs of Hope I and II, and performed the roles of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and Musetta in La Boheme with the Palisades Opera. Favorite performances include appearances in NYC with  the New York Opera Forum and Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, and in NJ: Rapunzel in Rapunzel at the Paper Mill Playhouse, North Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Rockland Symphony Orchestra, and Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. Ms. Cece attended the University of Richmond on a vocal scholarship, and earned a Masters in Music in classical Vocal Performance at New Jersey City University. She was the first place winner in the NATS 2000 opera competition and has been teaching voice for 17 years. (Seewww.JenniferVocals.com)  Future performances include the role of Blondchen in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio in NYC.

Jim Cagle, bass-baritone

Bass-baritone Jim Cagle is a resident of Westwood as well as a native Oklahoman. Jim has performed several roles with Palisades Opera including Benoit and Alcindoro in La Boheme, Masetto in Don Giovanni and Bartolo in Le nozze de Figaro. Earlier this year Jim performed in Andrea Chenier and, this summer, will be performing the role of Osmin in Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail with the New York Opera Forum in NYC.

Stacey Canterbury, soprano

Raised in Charleston, West Virginia, spinto soprano Stacey Canterbury, knew from age five, as she gave performances for her stuffed animals, that music and singing would always be a big part of her life. Since that time, Ms. Canterbury has made good on her dream by having created a loyal following as she engaged her audiences with her impassioned and expressive performances. From the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains with roles like Micaëla in Carmen sung with the Wichita Grand Opera and most recently, Elisabeth in Verdi’s Don Carlos for the Metropolitan Opera Guild. She has garnered the praise of critics. “- “Canterbury unveiled a voice that combined superb purity of tone and breath control… The riveting performance earned her several brava’s from an appreciative audience.” In addition to her many upcoming engagements, Ms. Canterbury has recently joined the roster at the Delaware Valley Opera Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Anthony Daino, tenor

Anthony Daino, tenor, has a beautiful voice, an engaging personality, and an extensive repertoire that includes operatic arias, oratorio, and traditional international songs. In a  NY Times review Allan Kozinn wrote ”Most of the admirable singing came from the tenor...who sang who sang the role of Alfredo...Mr. Daino has an appealing tone, perfect diction, and an ear for nuance.” After winning the Spoleto Competition in Italy, Anthony sang Ernesto in Don Pasquale under the direction of Gian Carlo Menotti. Anthony has under the direction of Mignon Dunn, Janet Bookspan and Nico Castel. Other credits include tenor soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Newburgh Symphony and Mozart’s Requiem with DiCapo Opera in Venice, Italy.

Sara Henry, mezzo-soprano

Hailed by the Jerusalem Post as "A Magnificent Dramatic Voice" versatile mezzo-soprano Sara Henry has sung leading and supporting roles in more than 30 operas, and has been seen in concert throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Ms. Henry began her formal vocal studies at La Scuola di Musico di Sesto in Florence, Italy, and later went on to graduate from Sarah Lawrence College, where she made her debut as the alto soloist in Bach'sWeinachts Oratorio, under the baton of Grammy winning composer, George Tsontakis. Highlights of her career have included the roles of Semiramide (Semiramide), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Diana (La Calisto), Adalgisa (Norma), Giovanna Seymour (Anna Bolena), Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) Xerxes (Xerxes) and the title role in Carmen, as well as a trio of Handelian heroes: Ariodante (Ariodante), Ruggiero (Alcina), and Arsamene (Serse). Ms. Henry also had the honor of portraying the dual roles of Azelia and Claire in the Canadian premiere of William Grant Still's seldom performed opera,Troubled Island.

James Kelso, violin

James Kelso began studying the violin at age 6 at Thurnauer School of Music. He has performed throughout the East Coast including Bryant Park, Central Park, Bergen PAC, the Jewish History Museum, Waterville Valley, and Disney World.  Benefit concerts include “Sending Our Love to Haiti” which raised over $100,000 for earthquake relief, and “Vana Ve Afrika” to benefit orphaned children in Swaziland.  James has won several NYC concerto competitions,  performing as a soloist at Carnegie Weill Hall three times. He currently studies privately with Khullip Jeung, assistant faculty, The Juilliard School of Music Pre-College.

Ruth Kenote, mezzo-soprano

Ruth Kenote, mezzo-soprano,has appeared as a solo performer throughout the United States, Australia, and Asia. Ms. Kenote’s recent soloist performances include Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, the Nyack Chamberfest Asia Tour, the annual “Resounding Joy” concert for No Longer Alone Ministries, and the Carnegie Room Concert Series in Nyack, performing Brahms’ Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91. Ms. Kenote’s stage roles include Marcellina from The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen from scenes of Carmen, and Suzuki from scenes of Madama Butterfly. Ruth Kenote received her Bachelor of Music from Houghton College, where she studied voice with Dr. Margaret Kuhl.

Ronni Sarrett Lederman, soprano

Soprano Ronni Sarrett Lederman has sung Mimi in La Boheme,  Zerlina in Don Giovanni and the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro with Palisades Opera, of which she is the founder. Other favorite roles performed elsewhere include Marguerite in Faust, Pamina and the First Lady in The Magic Flute, Gilda in Rigoletto, Antonia in Tales of Hoffman, and Clarina in Le cambiale di matrimonio. She has performed with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra, Rockland Opera, the New York Opera Forum, West Side Opera Society, Hudson Lyric Opera and more. She is a voice teacher with a private vocal studio in Nyack, NY.

Christopher Oldfather, piano

One of New York’s most gifted, trusted, respected, often-requested, and well-liked pianists, Christopher Oldfather has devoted himself to the performance of twentieth-century music for more than thirty years.He has been a member of Boston’s Collage New Music since 1979, New York City’s Parnassus since 1997, appears regularly in Chicago, and as a collaborator has joined singers and instrumentalists of all kinds in recitals throughout the United States. His work has taken him as far afield as Moscow and Tokyo, and he has worked on every sort of keyboard ever made, including, of all things, the Chromelodeon. He is widely known for his expertise on the harpsichord, and is one of the leading interpreters of twentieth century works for that instrument. As a soloist he has appeared with the MET Chamber Players, the San Francisco Symphony, and Ensemble Modern in Frankfurt, Germany.  His recording of Elliott Carter's violin-piano Duo with Robert Mann was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1990. Recently he has collaborated with the conductor Robert Craft, and can be heard on several of his recordings.

YoonHye Eunice Park, piano

After winning various competitions and her debut as a soloist with the Pusan Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea, she has performed in many concert halls as a soloist and chamber musician in Korea, Europe and the U.S. She was invited by Garam Arts Society to give a solo recital at the Garam Arts concert hall in Pusan, Korea., which was highly acclaimed and broadcast on the radio. Ms. Park has also participated in masterclasses given by Oxana Yablonskaya, Martin Canin, Dae-Jin Kim, Epifanio Comis, Bernard Ringeissen, and Ian Hopson. Currently, Ms Park serves as music director for HCMC (Hope Christian Ministries Community) a non-profit organization with musicians to play both Classical and Christian music in Korea, Bulgaria, and the U.S. She also performs actively as a member of Sonata di Chiesa, a non-profit group of  ensembles comprised of  professional musicians from the tri-state area. Ms. Park is also known for teaching many award-winning students in NJ.

Randy Pradera, tenor

 Although usually found grading tests and English essays, tenor Randy Pradera was recently heard singing Rodolfo and Don Ottavio with Palisades Opera of NJ and as tenor soloist at the St. Genaro Festival.  Prior engagements and roles include Tamino in The Magic Flute, Beppe in Pagliacci and multiple seasons as soloist with the Orchestra of St. Peter’s by the Sea. When not singing opera, Randy enjoys performing traditional boleros with his guitar and conga group Los Nostalgicos for charity groups catering to the elderly and persons with disabilities. In July, Randy will be making his NYC debut with NY Grand Opera singing the role of Gustavo in Un ballo in maschera.

EVENT SUMMARY 

On April 26-28, 2013 - we raised over $5,000 from Animal Benefit Weekend.

Thank you Grace Episcopal Church, Session Bistro, Linda Balliro and Westwood Music Studio and all the other volunteers!