12.17.2020 Virtual Talent Showcase - Artist Profiles
Joe Bleicher
From New York, Joe Bleicher came to Connecticut via California and Massachusetts. He now lives in West Hartford. Joe is a former host of Folk ‘on Fridays at Cheney Hall and The Living Space of West Hartford. Here is a work in progress from Joe called “World’s Goin’ Crazy”.
John Castoline
John Castoline is from Bristol, CT, He is a self taught musician and just wants to write good songs. He calls his music universal appeal because of the universal lyrics. John’s musical influences include Led Zeppelin, Crosby Stills and Nash, Grateful Dead, Stephen Wolf, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Deep Purple. “These songs are 20 yrs old, hope you enjoy, can’t wait to get back out there and play live.”
Kevin Gallagher
Instruments: Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro
Kevin has worked as a backup musician to various Folk, Rock and Bluegrass Bands in the CT and NJ area for many years. I’m currently working with Nina Romanenko, Cece Borjeson, Ruth George and the Portables.
Voices of Concinnity
Committed to incorporating the role of vocal color into crafting exquisite music, Voices of Concinnity is a 12-voice professional chamber ensemble of dedicated, seasoned choral artists from diverse backgrounds who strive to cultivate the art of ensemble singing. Their sound described as "like silky smooth butter in musical form" by an audience member, Concinnity works to maximize overtones and unity of sound to create a harmonious, artful landscape of voices. Directed by Sarah Kaufold, Concinnity was founded in 2018 to help create affordable access for the community to experience professional-level vocal chamber music. Through the performance of choral music from the Renaissance to the contemporary, Concinnity is dedicated to creating innovative, diverse, and provocative music programs that encourage the engagement of the community in quality, living music.
Howard Drescher
Howard Drescher was inspired to write “Angels Came” by the many people who came to the aid of the victims of the 2005 truck crash at the base of Avon Mountain in Avon, CT. Many hundreds of people have given their time and energy both on the day of the crash and in the years following. The video was filmed, edited and produced by Rich Wright who has given his time and talent to The Avon Mountain Angels Fund. This organization seeks to raise money for the victims of the crash caused by an uninsured dump truck and raise attention to the people who were hurt, the people who helped, and the legal issues that led to the accident.
Jose Velez
Dr. Velez is an educator and musician from Bloomfield Connecticut. José has performed on several EC-CHAP videos with Nina Romanenko, Kevin Gallagher, and Tom Caraher. “There’s No Golden Shine this Christmas” is a memorial to the lost souls of COVID-19, which has taken so many of our “Golden Generation.”
After receiving his master’s degree in his native Puerto Rico, José received his doctorate from Northeastern University in Boston. In addition to music, José volunteers for the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra.
Nina Romanenko
Nina Romanenko is a Connecticut singer, guitarist and songwriter who loves working with and performing for people of all ages. She's a former therapeutic recreation director and voice major with training in music as therapy - and has been a part of bands such as John Beardsly's "Elvis Experience", "No Soap Radio" and was the founding member of "The Quarry Cats" and "East River Junction".
She has appeared in venues including the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Groton Sub Base, Cheney Hall, The Packing House, and the Essex Eagle Festival - and has opened either solo or as a band member - for "Danny and the Juniors", "The Drifters", "Tom Rush" and "Jeffrey Gaines". She currently performs solo, duo or with her bands "The Quarry Cats" or "The Rumblin's" or in various collaborations with other artists.
Nina enjoys providing uplifting therapeutic music programs at Healthcare Facilities and also donates her services to causes such as women's issues, cancer research and Connecticut Veterans.
Tom Caraher
Tom Caraher is a CT musician with a lifelong journey of performance music across many genres. With roots in liturgical music including choir and organ, songs of peace and social injustice were influential on Tom's early songwriting. As an Irishman, Tom understood the value of musical storytelling.
A native of Chicago, Tom studied music & music theory, while performing in rock bands during the 1970s but knew that a career in business would provide more stability than a starving artist. However, the formal music training gave Tom a great appreciation and love for Classical Music.
Today, Tom is a percussionist with the West Hartford Symphony. A volunteer and friend, Joe Bleicher, commented to Tom during the protests following the murder of George Floyd with a text, “is this a moment” and Tom replied “a moment of change” which became the concept for a virtual collaboration marking the global outrage against systemic racism. Most of the performers in “Is this a moment” have never met face to face; a true virtual collaboration.
During the pandemic, Tom has written and produced several virtual pieces with fellow musicians from the orchestra and local troubadours. While editing vocal videos for “Is this a moment” Tom quickly saw that Nina Romanenko's voice and style would be perfect for further collaboration. In the months that followed, Tom and Nina have produced 4 new music videos all with strong social awareness messages.
Nina and Tom recently co-wrote “Vote” adopting a Non-Partisan message and an upbeat tempo which hopefully will tamp down some of the negative social posting and encourage everyone to vote.