- 2008 -
10-19-08: Kelsey Murphy made callbacks for Schaumburg on Stage's production of The Wedding Singer. The cast list will be posted by Oct 24th. Kelsey is being considered for both of the female leads, Julia and Linda.
10-17-08: Bradley Burns will audition for the part of Michael Banks in Mary Poppins. The national tour is currently casting in Chicago.
10/15/08: Mia Latimer auditioned for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Lines School winter musical.
10-10-08: Alexa Weinzierl was awarded a contract to do three performances of A Christmas Carol with Metropolis in Arlington Heights.
10-08-08: Grace Hartzel, Emily Leontyev, and Claudia Nielsen will be performing with Barrington Park District's group, ShowKids, throughout the '08-'09 school year season.
10-08-08: Russ Riendeau had an original song parady played on early morning radio by Johnny B, WLUP show host. The song focuses on the financial crisis we are experiencing in America and was aired in tandem with conversation around this week's presidential debate. Russ is well known to Barrington residents as the "Voice of the Broncos', annnouncing BHS hockey.
10-7-08: Kaylyn Slevin has been awarded the role of Grace in the St. Charles production of A Christmas Carol. She will be performing at the Steel Beam Theatre from November 25 to December 24.
10-07-08: Samantha Ceglarek auditioned for the IMEA district festival choir. Sam attends Grayslake North HS.
10-06-08: Terry Gabrich has been hired as a super for the Lyric Opera 2008-2009 season. He will be appearing as a juror in Lulu, and a guard in The Pearl Fishers. During the second week of October, Terry also be filming some scenes to be shown during the opera Lulu.
09-30-2008: Nicki Hren, well known to Chicago audiences for her performances at the Marriott and Drury Lane Theatres over the last few years, will be auditioning for Lincolnshire Marriott's 2008-2009 season.
09-22-08: Ryleigh Robinson has been chosen as one of the narrators for Station Middle School's fall production of Charlotte's Web.
09-15-08: Alexa Weinzierl will be performing in CYT's fall production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
09-15-08: Emily Ortlieb will be part of the ensemble for the U of I's fall oepra production, Romeo and Juliette.
09-12-08: Ina Conrado and Dani Freeman will be part of the ensemble for Prairie Middle School's fall production of Grease.
09-10-08: Jessica Olson and Anna Sciaccotta both made callbacks for Barrington High School's fall play, In the Garden of Live Flowers. Both girls will be part of the costume crew.
08-31-08: Gary Takata competed as a finalist for the title of Lake-in-the-Hills Idol.
08-30-08: Kelsey Murphy was one of four teen finalists in the Buffalo Grove Idol competition during the town's 50th anniversary celebration.
08-30 and 08-31-08: Kayla Klein competed in the Illinois Junior Pre-Teen pageant hosted by National American Miss. As fourth runner-up in the talent competition she is eligible to competing during the finals this November in Hollywood. She also placed in the top 10 for beauty and won the Cover Girl title.
08-21-08: Sam Ceglarek auditioned for Bye Bye Birdie, Deerfield Park District's fall show.
08-19-08: Sam Ceglarek has been selected for the Red Rose Chamber Choir's 2008-2009 season. The group performs regularly in Chicago's northern suburbs. They have also been invited to perform at the American Choral Director's Convention in November at NIU.
08-08-08: Brooke Harthan participated in the Boone County Idol competition.
08-01-2008: Nicole Cherecwich attended the French Woods Fine Arts Camp in Cascades, New York. While there, Nicole performed in the ensemble for Les Miserables. She was also called back for the part of Cosette.
07-27-08: Brooke Harthan made a strong showing in the preliminary competition for McHenry County Idol.
07-15-2008: Gary Takata was chosen as a finalist for Lake-in-the-Hills Idol. He will be competing for the title on August 31st.
07-05-08: Sam Ceglarek, Lauren Conroy, Hilary Kaboski, and Carrie Loeber all performed during Barrington's first annual talent show.
06-24-08: Dayna LoBosco filmed a commercial for Gala Tea in Deer Park. The commercial will be aired in Illinois markets.
06-14-08: Dayna LoBosco received an invitation to audition for the independent film One Week, to be shot at the end of the summer in Illinois and/or Los Angeles.
06-13 and 06-14-08: Dayna LoBosco performed the supporting female role of Audrey in Leading Ladies, a Kirk Players' production.
5-24-08: Haley Beyer will be participating in the Miss Fox River Grove pageant. The winner will go on to compete for Miss MeHenry County.
05-23-08: Jessica Olson auditioned for College of Lake County's production of Little Shop of Horrors.
5-18-08: Elsa George will sing in the IMA vocal competition.
5-5-08: Dayna LoBosco has been accepted into the New York Film Academy for the 2008-2009 school year. She will be attending their Los Angeles campus, located on the grounds of Universal Studios.
5-1-08: Terry Gabrich is an extra in the midwest premier of the movie Adieu, My Love.
4-25-08: Emily Ortlieb won second place in the Teen Artist Division of Elgin OPERA's Second Annual Vocal Competition.
4-21-08: Kelsey Murphy will be performing Seussical, the Musical with Schaumburg on Stage this coming August.
4-21-08: Emily Ortlieb is one of four finalists in the Elgin OPERA vocal competition.
4-19-08: Emily Ortlieb will compete with other junior and senior high school students to win or place in Division 2 of the CCNATS vocal auditions at Roosevelt University.
4-19-08: Jeanie Carter will adjudicate vocal auditions sponsored by CCNATS, the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Teacher's of Singing. Several hundred high school, college, and graduate students will participate. Roosevelt University is the host school this year.
04-14-08: Emily Ortlieb will advance to the semi-final competition for Elgin OPERA on April 20.
4-14-08: Emily Ortlieb has been selected by the Woodstock Fine Arts Association as one of their 2008 scholarship winners. She will appear in a solo performance at the Woodstock Opera House on May 8th.
4-12-08: Emily Leontyev and Emily Ortlieb participated in Elgin OPERA's annual vocal competition. Each division offers cash prizes to top finalists.
4-7-08: Alexa Weinzierl will be Olive Ostrasky in CYT's May production of Spelling Bee.
4-7-08: Neve Moos has been awarded a vocal solo in Grove Avenue School's 5th grade musical, Compose Yourself.
4-5-08: Sam Ceglarek will be attending a vocal jazz camp at Western Michigan University this summer. The camp director is Steven Zegree. Bobby McFerring is scheduled to be one of the guest artists.
4-5-08: Congratulations to Pippa Soo, Bel Canto's first voice student. Pippa has been accepted into the Julliard School of Music for the 2008-2009 school year.
4-3-08: Emily Ortlieb has been cast in Elgin OPERA's summer production of Puccini's Suor Angelica.
4-3-08: Claudia Nielsen and Grace Hartzel will join the ensemble in St. Anne's summer production of The Music Man.
4-1-08: Claudia Nielsen auditioned for Ela Theatre Company's summer production of My Fair Lady.
3-16-08: Sam Ceglarek and Hilary Kaboski participated in Chicago auditions hosted by America's Got Talent. Taylor DiTola submitted her audition via DVD.
3-8-08: Jeanie Carter was one of the judges for the Barrington-wide Speech Tournament held at Station Middle School. Over 900 students participated this year.
3-8-08: Congratulations to all the Bel Canto students who participated in the 2008 Speech Tournament. They are Lauren Conroy, Jacy Herman, Emily Leontyev, Max Paulus, and Nicole Sturgis.
3-7-08: Terry Gabrich auditioned to be an extra/detective in the new John Dillinger film, Public Enemy, starring Johnny Depp.
3-1-08: Sam Ceglarek and Emily Ortlieb will both participate in IHSA solo and ensemble contest.
2-20 to 2-23-08: Elsa George sang with an Elementary Honors Choir, comprised of students from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. She auditioned for the group in November 2007. The choir performed for the annual convention of the Central Division of the American Choral Director's Association in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2-19-08: Emily Leontyev played the role of Snow White in the Rosyln Road musical, The Granny Awards.
2-15-08: Maia Conrado and Madelein O'Keefe had roles in the Lines School musical, Aristocats. Maia played the part of Scat Cat, the Alley Cat. Madeleine was Duchess.
2-14-08: Terry Gabrich will be a super in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Eugene Onegin.
2-9 to 2-10-08: Emily Ortlieb and Kimberly Albrecht performed in the ensemble for Elgin Opera's L'Elisir d'Amore, The production was sung in Italian with English subtitles and accompanied by full orchestra.
2-9-08: Emily Ortlieb participated in the first round of regional auditions sponsored by "Classical Singer Magazine". Scholarships and cash prizes are awarded to high school students interested in pursuing a career in vocal performance. This is the second year that Emily has sung for the competition.
2-08: Emily Ortlieb will be auditioning for music schools and conservatories across the country. She will visit: Roosevelt, Illinois Weslyan, University of Illinois, Lawrence, and Oberlin. Emily was invited to audition live at Boston Conservatory, a privelege only offered to the top 20% of their applicants.
1-31-08: Congratulations to Leo Van Asten. His first opera, The Three Little Pigs, will be performed as part of the 2008-2009 Opera Playhouse season. Opera Playhouse is a new opera company in the Chicago area. Leo's score throws a few modern twists into the well-known tale and uses most of the elements of classic opera. It will be performed in schools throughout the metro area.
1-25-08: Emily Leontyev sang in the Rosyln Road Variety Show, held at Barrington High School.
1-22-08: Sam Ceglarek auditioned for Grayslake High School's April production of Beauty and the Beast. Sam was called back for the roles of Belle and Mrs. Potts. She will be performing as a member of the ensemble.
1-21-08: Alexa Weinzierl auditioned for a role in a professional production of The Enchanted Attic, to be performed later this spring in the Rogers Park area.
1-15-08: Alexa Weinzierl auditioned for the Chicago American Girls Theatre. She made the first round of callbacks.
1-10-08: Emily Trevail made understudy callbacks for Barrington High School's Once Upon a Mattress.
1-7 to 1-11-08: Grace Hartzel, Jessica Olson, Sarah Grace Matthews, Anna Sciaccotta, Rachel Simon, and Kayla Widdowson auditioned for Station Middle School's April production of High School Musical. Anna and Jessica were both called back for the role of Ms. Darvis. Rachel was called back for Sharpee, Gabriella, and Taylor. Jessica was double cast as Darvis. Anna will be a dancer. Grace, Rachel, and Kayla are all part of the ensemble.
- 2007 -
12-19-07: Sam Ceglarek was inducted into the Tri-M music honorary at Grayslake North High School. Membership is by audition only.
12-18-07: Alexa Weinzierl was asked to audition for the Marriott Lincolnshire production of Seussical, The Musical. The casting director was holding auditions by appointment only.
12-17 to 12-19-07: Haley Beyer and Brittany Koss auditioned for the Cary-Grove High School production of The Wiz. Haley made callbacks and will be performing as a Munchkin and Winkie in the ensemble. Brittany will be on the make-up crew.
12-05-07: Alexa Weinzierl auditioned for the NW Cook County CYT troupe's March '08 production of Honk! She will be performing in the ensemble.
12-03-07: Taylor DiTola has been cast as Marty in Immaculate Conception HS's spring production of Grease.
11-26 to 11-27-07: Mac Dassati and Emily Trevail auditioned for the Barrington High School spring production of Once Upon a Mattress. Mac was awarded the role of Dauntless and Emily will be a Lady-in-Waiting. Emily was the only freshman to make callbacks and get in the show. Bel Canto's Katie Kline will be part of the make-up crew. Congrats to former Bel Canto students who are also in the show: Tara Martino, Melissa Darch, Aubrey Pringle, Olivia Cucco, Eddie Tolle, and Kelly Ackmann.
11-25-07: Alexa Weinzierl auditioned for the play Our Town, to be presented by NW Cook County CYT in the spring of 2008.
11-03-2007: Sam Ceglarek made callbacks for Grayslake High School's December production of The Diary of Anne Frank.
10-29-2007: Congratulations to Connor Romenesko and Callie Romenesko. They recently were cast in St. Viator's February production of Godspell. Connor was the only freshman to get a role. He will be one of the eight philosophers. Callie was one of the few freshman girls asked to be in the ensemble.
10-26-2007: Emily Ortlieb has been asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner for Marion Central's playoff football game.
10-19-2007: Caylee Fournier performed a solo vocal selection with an audition-only group, Limelighters.
10-09-2007: Sam Ceglarek auditioned for district Jazz IMEA choir and ensemble.
10-04-2007: Emily Ortlieb and Sam Ceglarek both auditioned for district IMEA. Congratulations to Emily. She will be performing with the choral group later this school year.
10-03 to 10-06-2007: Terry Gabrich was an extra in the new TV pilot, "Family Practice", starring Beau Bridges. All the filming is to be done in Chicago.
09-22-2007: Anna Sciacotta will play the part of Misty Weatherbee in Station Middle School's fall play, Soft Soap.
09-21-2007: Emily Trevail was the only freshman girl to make callbacks for Barrington High School's fall play, Macbeth. She will be on the make-up crew for the show.
09-17-2007: Ryan Fish is an extra and understudy in Barrington High School's fall play, Macbeth.
09-15-2007: Emily Ortlieb will be part of the chorus for Elgin Opera's winter production, The Elixir of Love. Emily will also be joining the troupe's training ensemble for their 2007-2008 season.
09-14-2007: Emily Ortlieb will begin rehearsals with the Midwest Young Artists' Chorale this week. Several large choral works, including the Verdi Requiem, are planned for the upcoming season. The group is by audition only.
09-10-2007: Julie List has been asked to review plays for the drama department head at Lake Zurich H.S. She will be evaluating and recommending plays, musicals, monologues, and scene studies until she graduates in two years. She has also been named as Costume Director for the fall play, Metamorphosis.
09-08-2007: Alexa Weinzierl auditioned with Northwest Cook County CYT (Christian Youth Theater) for their fall show, Aladdin. She will be performing as part of the ensemble.
09-08-2007: Terry Gabrich auditioned to be an actor or super for the Lyric Opera of Chicago 2007-2008 season.
09-07 to 09-16-2007: Carrie Loeber will be performing as part of the ensemble in Fox Valley Theatre Company's production of Once Upon a Mattress. Performances are at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre.
09-04-2007: Congratulations to Haley Beyer for making the swing choir at Cary-Grove High School. Over 150 students auditioned for the 36-voice group. Haley was one of four sophomores chosen.
08-28-2007: Julie List auditioned for the Lake Zurich High School winter play, Metamorphosis. Her original monologue reflected the type of character she would like to portray in the production.
08-27-2007: Congratulations to Izzi Ezra who recently made the Student Impact vocal team at Willow Creek Community Church. Izzi will join other high school students in leading contemporary worship services the first weekend of every month beginning in September.
08-23-07: Terry Gabrich worked as an extra in the film Roy's First Kiss, the alias being used for the new Batman movie. The restaurant scene was filmed at the familiar Chicago landmark, Berghoff's.
08-15-2007: Hilary Kaboski is one of the four adult finalists in this year's Buffalo Grove Idol competition. Winners will be selected on Sept 2nd, 3:00 PM, main stage. This idol contest is held in conjunction with the annual Buffalo Grove celebration. Taylor DiTola, last year's Junior Division winner, will be one of the singers entertaining during the competition.
07-13 to 07-18-2007: Alexa Weinzierl was part of the ensemble for the Les Miserables production put on by Second Suburb Players. All performances were at Cutting Hall in Palatine. She was also asked to perform a solo selection at the outdoor Evening Review that week.
04-23-07: Lacie Nally will present her senior vocal recital at 7:00 PM, Larkin High School Auditorium. Lacie has been part of the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts vocal program all four years at Larkin.
04-14-07: Emily Ortlieb will compete with other junior and senior high school students to win or place in Division 2 of the CCNATS vocal auditions at Moody Bible Institute.
04-14-07: Jeanie Carter will adjudicate vocal auditions sponsored by CCNATS, the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Teacher’s of Singing. Over 300 high school, college, and graduate students will participate. Moody Bible Institute is the host school this year.
04-13 - 04-14-07: Lacie Nally is part of the nun’s chorus for Larkin High School’s production of The Sound of Music.
04-04-07: Leo Van Asten recorded several of his original piano compositions at the Chicago Fine Arts Building. Some of the recordings have been posted to the Fine Arts Building home page. To listen, go to: www.fineartsbuilding.com.
03-26-07: Terry Gabrich participated in open auditions for the new Universal Studios movie of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.
03-24-07: Taylor DiTola auditioned for a part in Emerald City Theatre’s production of High School Musical, to be performed at the Apollo Theater from July 18 - Aug 18.
03-23-07: Emily Leontyev and others presented a selection from High School Musical in the Roslyn Road 14th Annual Variety Show at Barrington High School.
03-19-07: Terry Gabrich has been hired as a super for American Ballet Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliette. Terry will be on stage as two different characters during the course of the ballet, a gentleman and a monk. Seven performances are being presented at the Civic Opera House, March 21 - March 25.
03-17-07: Congratulations to the Bel Canto students who participated in the Barrington Annual Speech Tournament, Sarah Grace Matthews and Madeleine O’Keefe.
03-14 to 03-18-07: Brittany Koss was part of the make-up crew for Cary-Grove High School’s production of 42nd Street.
03-03 to 03-10-07: SC deFreitas played the role of Noodler, the Pirate in Wheaton Academy’s spring musical, Peter Pan. The show had a two-week run to packed houses.
03-09 to 03-10-07: Taylor DiTola performed in the ensemble for Immaculate Conception High School’s production of Bye, Bye Birdie.
03-03-07: Congratulations to Samantha Ceglarek and Emily Ortlieb. Both of them received first place awards for their vocal solos at their district’s solo and ensemble contest. Emily Ortlieb was also part of Marion Central’s winning madrigal group.
02-13-07: Alexa Weinzierl successfully auditioned for H.O.T.T. Productions upcoming musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Alexa will be part of the ensemble in the June show at Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts.
02-11-07: Emily Ortlieb was chosen as part of the ensemble for the Music on Stage 50th anniversary production, Pirates of Penzance. The show opens mid-May and runs through the beginning of June. All performances will be at Cutting Hall in Palatine.
02-04-07: Sarah Grace Matthews was part of the Lines School 5th grade production of 101 Dalmatians. Each 5th grade class had a separate cast.
02-03-07: Emily Ortlieb participated in first round regional auditions sponsored by Classical Singer Magazine. The competition offered a total of $560,000 in scholarships and cash prices to high school students interested in pursuing a career in vocal performance.
02-01-07: Terry Gabrich auditioned for the role of the Pirate King in the Bartlett Players’ production of The Pirates of Penzance.
01-25-07: Stefanie Giannini made the ensemble for Woodlawn Middle School’s April production of High School Musical.
01-22 to 01-23-07: Terry Gabrich filmed a commercial for Nevlin’s Irish Pub in Evanston.
01-20-07: Emily Ortlieb taped her first demo at Norwest Communications. She will submit the demo as part of the application/audition process for the summer voice program at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp.
01-18-07: Haley Beyer made callbacks for Cary-Grove High School’s March production of 42nd Street.
01-17-07: Alexa Weinzierl auditioned for American Girl Theater in Chicago. She made dance callbacks scheduled for Sunday, Jan 21st.
01-10-07: Alexa Weinzierl was offered a two year contract by Spectrum Productions and asked to return to Hollywood by Feb. 1st for Pilot Week.
01-10-07: Six Bel Canto students auditioned for Station Middle School’s April production of Little Shop of Horrors. They are: Ryan Fish, Callie Romenesko, Connor Romenesko, Emily Trevail, Kayla Widdowson, and Lauren Widdowson. Congratulation to those who were cast: Ryan Fish as Seymour, Emily Trevail as Audrey, Connor Romenesko as Mr. Muschnik; Callie Romenesko and Lauren Widdowson as part of the ensemble.
01-03-07: Samantha Ceglarek will be Ellen in Grayslake High School’s April production of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma!
01-03-07: Alexa Weinzierl returns to the Hollywood area for additional film and camera training prior to "Pilot Week".
- 2006 -
12-01-06: Taylor DiTola and Stefanie Giannini were both asked to be in the ensemble of Schaumburg on Stage’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
11-18-06: Terry Gabrich auditioned for "Morse Code", a new sitcom pilot to be aired on syndicated TV.
11-17 - 11-19-06: Dani Freeman was part of the Peanuts Gang in Prairie Middle School’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
11-13 - 11-14-06: Terry Gabrich was an extra in the hit TV show, ER. Episodes will air next season.
11-10-06: Sam Ceglarek, Taylor DiTola, Stefanie Giannini, and Alexa Weinzierl are all invited to a film and camera workshop prior to pilot season auditions in Hollywood. Taylor is offered a record contract by Upscale Records.
11-06-06: Kayla Frischkown had the lead in Quest Academy’s musical, Dear Edwina.
10-26 - 10-29-06: Ryan Fish was Jo Feroni in Station Middle School’s Up the Down Staircase. Emily Trevail was cast as Sadie Finch.
10-21 -10-22-06: Terry Gabrich was an extra in a Budweiser commercial filmed in Chicago.
10-19 - 10-23-06: Sam Ceglarek, Taylor DiTola, Stefanie Giannini, and Alexa Weinzierl participated in the semi-final competitions produced by Best New Talent in Hollywood. Each of the girls were asked to prepare a Broadway tune, pop song, comedic monologue, dramatic monologue, commercial, hosting, and promotion. Alexa was also entered in print competition based on the headshot she submitted (taken at a recent Bel Canto photo shoot).
10-09-06: Leo Van Asten was a guest pianist and master class presenter at University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. After his appearance there, the UW Stevens Point percussion ensemble commissioned a piece for their group.
09-18-06: Lee Werner performed with his band, Pelmel Expo (short for Existential Potential), at the Good Shepherd Cancer Benefit.
09-18-06: Terry Gabrich auditioned for the Elmhust Choral Union.
09-15-06: SC deFreitas auditioned for the Wheaton Academy improv team.
09-10-06: Samantha Ceglarek made the 20-voice Grayslake Jazz Choir. Sam is the only freshman in the group.
09-05-06: Amanda Cacich auditioned for Guys and Dolls, this year’s musical at Libertyville High School.
09-02-06: Taylor DiTola and Adrienne Yabile competed for the Buffalo Grove Idol. Taylor won the junior division.
08-13-06: Sam Ceglarek, Taylor DiTola, Stefanie Giannini, Amelia Noyes and Alexa Weinzierl all participated in the first round of auditions with Best New Talent’s national search. Sam, Taylor, Stefanie, and Alexa were invited to the final round of competitions in Hollywood, mid October.
08-05-06: Kudos to Taylor DiTola and Adrienne Yabile. Both singers participated in preliminary auditions for the Buffalo Grove Idol. Taylor was one of six finalists in the 16 and under category. Adrienne was one of the six adults called back fort the final round on Sept 2nd.
07-27 - 07-30-06: Four performances of Crazy for You were presented by King’s Players in Arlington Heights. Our own Stefanie Giannini was in the ensemble for the production.
07-15-06: Terry Gabrich was an extra in the independent movie, Quebec, scheduled for release in the near future.
07-14 - 07-23-06: Alexa Weinzierl was part of the ensemble in Seussical, the Musical, presented by Second Suburb Players.
05-19-06: Alexa Weinzierl made callbacks for the Ravinia Festival production of Gypsy starring Patti LaPone.
05-19-06: Sam Ceglarek performed in Grayslake Middle School’s talent show.
05-18-06: Gracie Hayes, Julian Primous, and Marie Hargan auditioned for Barrington Children’s Choir. Marie currently sings with the Noel Choir. She will start rehearsing with intermediate Ensemble after the choir’s May performance.
05-15-06: Samantha Ceglarek was awarded the National School Choral Award by Grayslake Community High School.
05-15-06: Jeanie Carter was cast as Edith in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. St. James Theater Productions will present the run from July 20-July 30.
05-14-06: SC deFreitas and Marie Hargan performed with the Barrington Children’s Choir.
05-04 - 05-07-06: Local composer and Bel Canto piano instructor, Leo Van Asten, had his incidental music for the play "A Separate Peace" performed at St. Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary, WI. Van Asten received the commission to write music to this John Knowles/Nancy Gilsenan play several months prior to its premier.
04-29-06: All six Barrington High School choirs won gold at the Chicagoland Heritage Festival. Lee Werner and Mac Dassati sang with the freshman/sophomore madrigal group.
04-29-06: Illuminations, Grayslake Middle School’s swing choir, and Quest Academy’s Honors Choir will both be participating in their divisions’ state finals. Bel Canto’s Sam Ceglarek is a member of Illuminations. Kayla Frischkorn and Sydney Schor both sing in Quest Academy’s Honor Choir.
04-27 - 04-29-06: Lacie Nally performed as part of the ensemble in Larkin High School’s musical, Beauty and the Beast.
04-21-06: Gary Takata had a live stadium audition with the Schaumburg Flyers to sing the national anthem for their games this season.
04-20 - 04-22-06: Adrienne Yabile sang in Palatine High School’s annual variety show.
04-20 - 04-23-06: Quest Academy presented Annie Get Your Gun. Kayla Frischkorn was in the ensemble. Marissa Suchyta was double cast in the lead.
04-13 - 04-14-06: Leo Van Asten wrote music for the Passion Play performed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday by St. Bartholomew parish in Chicago, IL.
03/14/2006: Kayla Frischkorn was recently accepted into this summer’s Musical Theatre Workshop at Interlochen Arts Camp. Interlochen programs are very high caliber and competitive, so a big round of applause is due for this bright young performer. Kayla will also be performing in Quest Academy’s showcase later this month.
03/11/2006: SC deFreitas just finished a two-week run of Guys and Dolls with the Wheaton Academy theatre department. SC was cast as a member of the Salvation Army.
03/09/2006: Mac Dassati read for the part of Nels during callbacks for Barrington High School’s spring play, I Remember Mama.
03/03/2006: Leo Van Asten, piano instructor at Bel Canto, recently completed a symphony commissioned by the Loudoun County School District in Virginia (approximately one hour outside of Washington D.C.). Barrington Symphony, Op. 23, will be performed mid March as part of the county’s month-long celebration of the arts. Leo decided to name the symphony Barrington because most of it was composed at Bel Canto Studios or on the train to and from the city. Congratulations to a gifted young composer.
02/27/2006: Terry Gabrich has joined the ensemble for the St. Marcelline Productions spring musical, Oklahoma.
02/21/2006: Adrienne Yabile submitted an audition DVD to the nationwide jingle contest sponsored by Walter E. Smithe. There will be three rounds of judging; contestants will be scored on their singing ability, voice quality, and overall creativity. The winner will videotape a television commercial for the furniture retailer. This was a strong effort by a singer determined to find her own style.
02/15/2006: Kayla Frischkorn auditioned for Jane Eyre, the Musical, to be put on this spring by Big Noise Theater Company.
02/01/2006: Stefanie Giannini was cast as an ensemble member and dancer in Woodlawn Middle School’s spring production of Fiddler on the Roof Junior.
01/26/2006: Rachita Vasan took part in Northbrook Theatre’s open auditions for Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. This was Rachita’s first community theatre audition. Way to get out there – no turning back now!
01/26/2006: In December 2005, Kayla Frischkorn was asked to sing solo on a Momcat Productions CD, Music for Preschoolers.
01/24/2006: Kudos to Kayla Frischkorn for completing her first studio demo. Kayla videotaped a monologue and two musical theatre selections to satisfy audition requirements for summer programs at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp. Thanks to Norwest Communications for their audio and video work; Bruce Denison on piano.
01/24/2006: Stefanie Giannini auditioned for Fiddler on the Roof, Woodlawn Middle School’s spring musical.
01/20/2006: Hats off to SC deFreitas. (For those of you who know her as Sarah, SC is “cool speak” for Sarah Christine.) For her winter interim at Wheaton Academy, she chose to do an independent study project at Bel Canto Studios. We collaborated with Norwest Communications to record an audio demo of seven songs in contrasting vocal styles. Spirit of Play Productions is creating a unique music video of Autumn Leaves. We’ll be showing SC’s video at the Awards Ceremony in April. This was a lot of work for her, but she would probably do it again in a heartbeat! Thanks to Bruce Denison for his piano accompaniments.
01/18/2006: Emily Trevail has been cast as Ethel McCormick in Station Middle School’s spring production of Footloose. Connor Romenesko was cast as Jeter. Good going!
01/17/2006: Taylor DiTola, Kayla Frischkorn, Colby Johansen, Lexi Thodos, and Alexa Weinzierl all auditioned for American Girl Theatre in Chicago. Taylor, Kayla, Colby, and Alexa made the first callback on 1/22. Taylor and Colby made final .callbacks on 1/25. This is an unbelievable accomplishment. All of these young ladies are very new to the audition process.
01/16/2006: Natalie Bounassar interviewed for a summer internship in production management with Metropolis Center for the Performing Arts. She hopes to find out results of that interview within the next two weeks.
01/12/2006: Natalie Bounassar made the Jazz Choir at Hoffman Estates High School.
01/09/2006: Alexa Weinzierl was selected to be part of the ensemble in the Schaumburg Park District’s spring production of Oliver!
01/13/2006: Congratulations to Emily Trevail and Connor Romenesko. Both students auditioned for Station Middle School’s spring musical, Footloose.
01-07-2006: Christopher Weise, our theatre instructor at Bel Canto, will be hosting open auditions for the Schaumburg Park District’s spring production of Oliver! Chris will be directing the show for the Park District.
