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WHO ARE WE: CCP Mary Ellen Desmond has been performing professionally for over 30 years from venues in the Philadelphia / New Jersey area to the legendary Tavern on the Green in New York City's Central Park West as well as accepting engagements in Japan. JazzTimes Magazine has described her as a "conJident, musical, swinging stylist who is simply a joy to hear. Her voice is sweet, clear, and pure with a deceptively wide range, attractive vibrato, and superior intonation." Classically trained she is recognized as a crossover artist covering a variety of styles and repertoires with a primary focus on jazz standards and the American Songbook. She attended Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (now University of the Arts), earned an Associates Degree in Vocal Performance with Highest Honors from Community College of Philadelphia, and received her BA in Music from Thomas Edison State University in NJ. Ms. Desmond joined the faculty of University of the Arts School of Music in 2007 as a vocal instructor, and in 2010 began teaching voice at Community College of Philadelphia, as well. Her debut CD recording, Darn That Dream, was chosen as a Top Ten Critics' Pick in Cadence Magazine. Her second release, A Tribute to Peggy Lee & Rosemary Clooney, was recorded with Philadelphia vocalist Meg Clifton North, and afforded them the opportunity to perform at The Sonny Costanzo Concert Series at Quinnipiac University, CT on a roster that included Jane Monheit and Karrin Allyson. She is active as a program and music coordinator for fund raising concerts, most notably her self conceived annual holiday jazz program Comfort & Joy, which raises money for lives affected by AIDS and HIV through the Church of Saint Luke and The Epiphany in Philadelphia. In December of 2013 the concert celebrated its 10th anniversary performance and marked the release of Ms. Desmond’s most current CD recording a seasonal and holiday jazz offering entitled Comfort & Joy. She performs regularly in the Philadelphia & New York area at clubs, churches, concerts, and private functions. She works with some of the Philadelphia area's Jinest musicians including pianist Tom Lawton, guitarist Michael Kennedy, bassist Lee Smith, drummer Dan Monaghan, and tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna. Mary E!en D"mond WHO ARE WE: CCP Annie Sciolla is known as the ultimate cross-over singer, an accomplished and respected vocalist specializing in crossover technique and vocal pedagogy. An accomplished and respected musician, Sciolla has extensive experience as a recording studio musician with appearances on the soundtrack of Steve Guttenberg’s film production P.S. Your Cat Is Dead and, performs on world renowned jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco’s album Never Can Say Goodbye, the Music of Michael Jackson, High Note Record Label, which was Grammy © nominated for “Best Jazz Contemporary Album” in 2011. She has toured with Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals, served as vocal coach to Courtney Love. Sciolla has been a guest artist with the Philadelphia Jazzproject as well as a featured artist at The COTA Jazz Festival at the Deer Head Inn and other jazz festivals around the country. She has performed with jazz greats Randy Brecker, Jimmy Bruno, Kevin Eubanks, Bob Berg, Uri Caine, Tom Lawton and John Swana and has debuted as a solo guest artist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Annie maintains a private voice studio and has extensive ensemble and choral experience having soloed with The Philadelphia Singers, Relâche Music Group, Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia and presently as a member of The Voices of the Pops Encore Series.Besides having served 2 terms on the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy, Adjudicator for the Miss New Jersey Pageant, Atlantic City, NJ and Adjudicator for Miss America Outstanding Teen, (MAOTeen) Orlando FL, she continues to perform regularly in both jazz and classical idoms. Her debut album Jerome Kern-Lost Treasures on the Centaur record label was described as a “total delight” by Billboard Magazine. Her debut jazz album is due for release in October of this year called Diva Free Zone on the Vectordisc label. She just released her album Soul Full Snapshot, to Joni on the same label. Annie is an adjunct professor on the music faculty at Community College of Philadelphia and heads the Jazz Vocal Program at Rowan University. In addition to her performance schedule, Ms. Sciolla is a certified member of the Philadelphia Voice Foundation and has made multiple appearances as a guest key note speaker for conferences, master-classes and workshops providing expert education in Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Health and Care of the Voice in Crossing Over Styles, as well as presentations of Women in Leadership roles to area Philadelphia high school students. She has provided years of volunteer service to GRAMMY®- in the Schools providing workshops and master-classes in jazz vocals and stylings, as well as past work as a pedagogue presenter for various jazz workshops for International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) in New York. Most recently, Annie has presented professional development workshops to the voice and choral instructors of the Philadelphia School District in virtual vocal teaching techniques and more specifically raising awareness in high school vocal instructor’s necessary knowledge in mentoring students who wish to audition to a music performance program in higher education. As well as all this, Annie has been very successful in online course development at Community College of Philadelphia where she believes that online learning management systems are beneficial to those returning to school at any age and is an equalizer and an opportunity for those who suffer with any type of disability. She believes that education should be available to all in this platform for the success of students who can lead productive lives through community citizenship. At the end of August, 2020, she will be completing her doctoral degree in Executive Leadership in Higher education all online at Gwynedd Mercy University. Her latest project will be the Pennsylvania Premiere of jazz composer, Maria Schneider’s song cycle Early Morning Walks with the chamber orchestra of West Chester University of Pennsylvania next Spring. Annie Scio!a WHO ARE WE: CCP Evan Graver is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator who teaches full-time amongst various schools and age groups. In pursuit of his undergraduate degree, Evan moved from Lancaster Pennsylvania to Philadelphia to attend The University of the Arts where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance as well as a Masters Degree in Music Education. Evan currently works as an adjunct music professor at The Community College of Philadelphia and is head of the Vocal Department at Camden County College. He also maintains his own private studio with Vocal and Piano students of various ages. Evan is also a working performer as a vocalist for many choirs and organizations. He has extensive choral ensemble experience working as a member of The Voices of the Philly Pops, The Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, and the choir of The First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Evan has performed with major stars of the music world such as Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin, Deana Martin, Ben Folds, and Kathleen Battle. He has also performed internationally in venues such as Venice, Germany, and most recently at the Truro Cathedral in Cornwall England. Evan continues to inspire and encourage students to pursue their goals in music performance and education. He is greatly appreciative of the support from his family and friends that has allowed him to pursue his childhood dream! Evan Graver WHO ARE WE: CCP Calli Graver has created a versatile and steady career as a crossover vocalist. A native of Lancaster Pennsylvania, Calli moved to Philadelphia to pursue her degree from the University of the Arts (BM in vocal performance/MM in jazz studies). Her education has allowed her the opportunity to work in various musical capacities and she seamlessly transitions through genres. Calli’s beginnings in theater led her to her interest in music, having performed in numerous productions at the Fulton Opera House including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ragtime, and The Secret Garden. Calli has extensive choral experience and currently sings with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, Voices of the Philly Pops, and Philadelphia Heritage Chorale. Most recently, she traveled to Cornwall with the choir of First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia where they held a residency at the Truro Cathedral. Calli has been privileged to sing with various symphonies and Pops orchestras around the country. She has performed as a soloist with the Philadelphia Wind Symphony, the Philly Pops, the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, and Opera Lancaster. She also works as a background vocalist for a series of themed Pops concerts and has most notably performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Symphony, San Fransico Symphony, Seattle Symphony and the Calgary Philharmonic. Calli’s heart is in jazz and is fortunate have a regular sextet she sings with. Her holiday album celebrates the season in swing and based on the success of her annual holiday jazz concert entitled Cheer! She also regularly performs with Philadelphia big bands and lends her voice to other original jazz projects. In 2015, Calli and collaborator Nick Lombardelli composed and produced a jazz suite entitled The Divine Lorraine based on the iconic Philadelphia residence. She also had the pleasure of touring a Gershwin Tribute with jazz pianist Peter Nero and sang for Christian McBride’s jazz suite The Movement Revisited, sponsored through NPR and performed at the Merriam Theater. Some of the other acclaimed musicians she has sung for include Ben Folds, Aretha Franklin, and Andrea Bocelli. Calli is also a regular on the Philadelphia wedding band scene, collaborates and records for various artists in the city, and teaches voice at the Lumberton School of Music and the Community College of Philadelphia.

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