John Walton West

As a graduate of Northern Kentucky University, Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, and the Upright Citizens' Brigade Improvisation program, John Walton West is a performer on the rise. He has been seen in the National Tours and Regional productions of "The Drowsy Chaperone" (Man in Chair), "The Producers" (Carmen Ghia), "Tony" in "You Can't Take it With You" (Florida Rep), "Moby/Coffin" in the American premiere of "Moby Dick! The Musical" (Seaside Music Theatre), "Jack" in "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Treves" in "The Elephant Man," and "Oscar" in "Sweet Charity." 

Currently, he is starring in the hit Off-Broadway production of "NEWSical the Musical" starring Christine Pedi, Michael West, and Christina Bianco and produced by Tom D'Angora at the Theatre Row complex (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th & 10th Ave). Click here for tickets!

For more John be sure to visit http://www.johnwaltonwest.com.

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? My mom directed the annual Easter pageants and dinner theater productions (Bit By a Werewolf, The Butler Did it...Again!) at the First Baptist Church in Huntingdon, Tennessee. These were mounted to help the youth group raise money for their annual "mission trip" to Florida. So I got my start under her evangelical directorial eye.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? I suppose now having done Newsical I'll simply respond as Patti LuPone did when I asked her that at a Q&A after her concert - "My Heart Matters", or some such title -  "There's no one left. I've worked with everyone who's living that I care to."

3. What attracted you to "NEWSical the Musical"? I remember being at the audition and the producer Tom D'Angora was in the hallway making COMPLETELY politically incorrect (but hilarious) jokes with perfect strangers. Then when I got in the room with the team it was the same thing...I thought...these people seem about my speed.

I had been familiar with the show for years, and I knew that audiences consistently loved it. I've been a fan of Rick Crom's since I saw him in "Urinetown." He is an absolute genius, and the breadth of his talent is astonishing. The material's great fun; it's one of the only opportunities a performer has to do celebrity impressions without seeming (overly) obnoxiously masturbatory.

4. What has been the best part about being in "NEWSical the Musical"? What is your favorite skit? The fact that audiences have so much fun - that never gets old. I think when people leave they are genuinely thrilled with their choice, and that's always been important to me when deciding what shows to do. Not so much "Is this a juicy role," or "Is this an important artistic achievement" rather, "Will people be exhausted from laughing after seeing this show?" 

Also the the cast, creatives, production staff...and hanging out in the dressing room. Half hour call is my favorite time of day.

My favorite sketch is any one where the other guys do their impressions. Rick's great at writing for them, and the people I share the stage with are the very best at celebrating the idiosyncrasies of the likes of Celine, Larry King, Oprah...the list goes on.

5. What have you learned from working with Tom D'Angora, Christine Pedi, Michael West, and Christina Bianco? From Tom, I've learned temperance. From Bianco, how to stand tall. From Pedi, balance. From Michael, pianissimo.

6. What is your favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period in a show? If it's a drag show, the initial consultation with the makeup artist where I bring in clips from magazines to show her what I have in mind. In a conventional piece, I would say the meet and greet (everyone's always so fresh!) and the sitzprobe. For this show - which is a little bit of both - the material always changes, so you get a number of opportunities to workshop a number. And the puzzle of how to make things work best for an audience is always fun.

7. Where is your favorite place to rehearse on your own? I'm sorry? You mean...outside of...formal rehearsals? Why would one...

New York is tough obviously. Hard to Justify spending $18 at Pearl to sing through "My Defenses are Down" a couple times before an audition. It makes me miss Tennessee, where I had a big, isolated empty house and a car to practice in. Here invariably it ends up being walking down the sidewalk. I practice in falsetto with the strained logic that because it's softer it will make me seem less weird.

8. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? I think the roles in which you're cast give you a great deal of insight into both yourself and how others perceive you. After I kept getting cast in ridiculous and predominantly "surface" shows, it confirmed my suspicions that I was not a very deep person.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? I used to answer this question with what Dixie Carter told me when I was 11: "They don't pay us for the performing. That's what we love to do; we would do it for free. They pay us for the heartache, the rejection. The endless auditions where we're led to believe we're not good enough." But then I compared my paychecks during periods of performing and during periods of unsuccessful auditioning and realized the woman (may she rest in peace) was mad as a hatter.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Christine Pedi, performing Angela Lansbury having phone sex (which she does in Newsical). It's the hardest I've ever laughed at anything in my life, so hearing it eight times a week isn't enough. Plus, it's a hilarious dream and an erotic one rolled up into one - two birds!!

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? Favorite way to stay in shape? They are one in the same. Crossfit. 

Oh, sorry...I mistakenly thought I was my adopted brother Michael West for a moment (www.michaelwestfitness.com).

12. Boxers or Briefs? I was wearing some underwear the other day that I think was from Wal-Mart in high school, and Rick Crom came into the dressing room while my pants were down (...just another Tuesday) and remarked on my "mini-skirt."

13. Favorite website? Tie between Call Me Adam - I do regularly visit, you know...Newsicalthemusical.net,... and mlb.com.

14. "Glinda" or "Elphaba"? I used to have the biggest crush on Kristin Chenoweth. I mean...c'mon. I literally flew to NYC when I was in college just so I could be there for her Carnegie Hall debut. She was...perfect. But at some point I realized that I had no realistic shot - and now I can't even peruse my copy of "A Little Bit Wicked" without feeling that gaping hole. So...for self-preservation's sake...Elphaba.

Tom Wopat

Tom Wopat first came to public attention in the late-1970s as the freewheeling "Luke Duke" on the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard." In 1977, he made his Broadway debut in Cy Coleman’s "I Love My Wife." Tom went on to perform in the Tony Award–winning "City of Angels" and "Guys and Dolls." He received a Tony nomination for creating the role of "Frank Butler" in the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun," opposite Bernadette Peters. In 2008, Tom returned to Broadway as "Tom Hurley" in "A Catered Affair" with Faith Prince and Harvey Fierstein. Tom spent much of 2011 on Broadway again starring as "Frank Abagnale Sr." in the new adaptation of "Catch Me If You Can."

Though Tom had never done a sitcom before, he seized the opportunity when Chuck Lorre offered him a leading role in "Cybill." Other credits include a recurring role on "Home Improvement," the critically acclaimed NBC movie "Just My Imagination," HBO's "Taking Chance" alongside Kevin Bacon, and most recently a spot on CBS' "A Gifted Man." 2012 will see Tom starring in ABC's first ever movie musical "Elixir" alongside Jane Seymour, Chelsea Kane, Sara Paxton and more.

In addition to theatre, film, and television, Tom has also become a successful recording artist with many albums to his credit, including "A Little Bit Closer," "Don’t Look Back," "Learning to Love," and "The Still of the Night." In 2005, he released "Dissertation on the State of Bliss"—featuring the music of Harold Arlen—and his most recent offering, "Consider it Swung," features a swingin' set of standards and interesting covers, including Frank Sinatra, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Joni Mitchell.

Currently, Tom is out on the road promoting his new album "Consider It Swung" with a very special New York appearance at Queens Theatre, as part of their Celebrity Concert series, on Saturday, March 24 at 2pm and 8pm, come see Tom sing selections from his new album, Broaway hits, and songs from the 40s and 50s. Queens Theatre is located at 14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368. Click here for tickets for the 2pm show and click here for tickets for the 8pm show.

For more on Tom be sure to visit http://tomwopat.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? I started singing when I was a little kid in Lowdi, Wisconsin. The public school teachers were extremely supportive. Don Roebuck, my high school music teacher, inspired and encouraged me the most.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? Adele - shes great.

3. What excites you about your upcoming concert at Queens Theatre? We’re doing two shows, one in the afternoon and one at night. The trio that’s on the most recent record and my A team of performers will be accompanying me: Dave Finck on bass, Tedd Firth on piano and Peter Grant on drums.

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the concert? That they enjoy themselves and the music.

5. You just released your new album, "Consider It Swung." What made you want to record an album of swing music? It’s a great deal of fun! The two earlier jazz records were more introspective. I wanted this one to be hotter.

6. What do you get from recording music that you don't get from performing on stage or in film/television? You get a very focused performance. With Jazz every time you play a song its different, so recording it just raises the stakes.

7. What is your favorite part of putting an album together? What is your favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period in a show? The recording sessions themselves is my favorite part. Often, we end up doing very few overdubs so you basically end up with a “live” take. Working on new material is my favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period.

8. I grew up watching you on "The Dukes of Hazzard." What initially made you want to audition for the show and what is your most cherished memory of that time in your life? I auditioned for the show because I needed work. I think I would have to say sitting in the car with John, we had a blast.

9. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? I’m not shy.

10. What's the best advice you've ever received? Be yourself.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Hard question-actually last night I had a dream that involved Michael Jackson and Richard Nixon’s family. I guess dreams aren’t choosey.

Jon Fleming

Jon Fleming and Todd Crain in "HIM" the play, Photo Credit: Michael MallardJon Fleming is a Wisconsin native who always dreamed of becoming an actor. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Jon was spotted and cast by TV legend James Burrows and given the recurring role of "Rusell," on "Will and Grace" as "Jack's" favorite acting student who was encouraged to emote with his shirt off. He was most recently used again by Burrows opposite Jay Mohr on his show "Gary Unmarried." His other television credits include "Castle," "Desperate Housewives," "Medium," "CSI New York," "Dante's Cove," "MAD TV," "Passions," and "Days of Our Lives."

Jon also appeared in the film "Domino" opposite Monique along with Keira Knightley, Edgar Ramirez and Mickey Rourke. His next film "Violence of The Mind" is to be released this summer. Jon's hobbies include collecting Vinyl Records, Running, Film Study, Camping, and Chess. His favorite films are "Gangs of New York" and "Pee Wee's Big Adventure."

Jon Fleming in "HIM" the play, Photo Credit: Michael MallardJon is making his stage debut in the Off-Broadway production of Clifford Streit's "HIM," which just completed a sold-out run at the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. "HIM" will now play at the Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street, between Varick & 6th Avenue) in NYC through April 8. Click here for tickets!

For more on Jon be sure to follow him on Twitter!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? I did not get into acting as a kid. I was really into football and basketball as a kid and through college. I always loved playing in front of crowds so acting became the natural transition and I have always had a great respect for the art.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Rubens, and Betty White.

3. What attracted you to "HIM" the play? The challenge of theatre. This is my first play and it is a very exciting experience. A T.V. series is also in the works.

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the show? I can only ask that they have fun and laugh. This is a comedy with relationship drama issues in the world of celebrity.

5. What do you identify most with your character "Nick"? Being fun loving, lovestruck, and living in the moment.

6. What is your favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period in a show? Where is your favorite place to rehearse on your own? Rehearsal/preview period is a great opportunity to get last minute tune ups for actors and tech. I'm always eager for opening night. I prefer to rehearse as much as possible on the stage, or if I have to, I will go to a park.

7a. What did you enjoy most about starring on "Dante's Cove" as "Adam"? The friends and fans. We had a fun time in Hawaii on that shoot.

7b. What did you enjoy most about your recurring role on "Will & Grace" as "Russell"? Aside from being a part of a great T.V. series, this show had a friendly cast and it felt like a family type atmosphere on set. This was also my first show in front of a live audience, which I credit planting the theatre bug in me.

8. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? This is what I was born to do.

9. What's the best advice you've ever recevied? "Once in awhile you can get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right."

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? My girlfriend.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? Favorite way to stay in shape? Going out for a brunch, a movie, a hike, and a show. I love running too.

12. Boxers or Briefs? Briefs.

13. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? Double dutch.

Bobby Cronin: Daybreak Interview

I first interviewed three-time ASCAP Award winning composer/lyricist Bobby Cronin in 2009 when he had his CD release concert for "Reach the Sky" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC. Since that time Bobby has become continued to rack up the awards. He won the 2010 Award for "Outstanding Music & Lyrics" for "Ten Reasons I Won't Go Home With You" at the Midtown International Theatre Festival, "Best Original Web Score, Mockumentary Division," for his web-series, "THANK YOU, NEXT," and his new original musical "Daybreak" won the 2011 NJ Playwrights Contest. Now "Daybreak" will be having two productions this June, one in London and one in New Jersey! Bobby's other new original musical, "Welcome to My Life" (W2ML), his under option for a Broadway premiere!

Bobby is the first American writer to pen an original piece ("The Concrete Jungle") for the esteemed London ArtsEd School, which will also open in June 2012. Bobby's performed concerts around the globe: he headlined the March 2009 Lincoln Center Songbook Series, made his Los Angeles debut in May 2010 at Show at Barre, and made his London debut in February 2011 with a sold out concert at The Players Theatre.

To see the talent that is Bobby Cronin, make sure you go see his award winning new original musical "Daybreak," in London or New Jersey this June!

In London, "Daybreak" will play at Tristan Bates Theatre in London's Covent Gardens from June 5-30, directed by Hayley Cusick, produced by the award-winning Notion Theatre Company.

In New Jersey, "Daybreak" will play the William Patterson University campus on from June 7-24, directed by Edward Matthews and musically directed by Warren Helms & Charles Santoro. Click here for tickets!

For much more on Bobby be sure to visit http://www.bobbycronin.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter!

1. What made you decide to write "Daybreak"? My previous agent, the awesome Chris Nichols, suggested that I add a song cycle or small musical to my project list. So, I racked my brain and looked through my "project ideas" folder (which I have had for about ten years now) and my mind started to create a framework for DAYBREAK starting with the Golden Gate Bridge which is the most notorious suicide structure in the world. I have lost several friends to suicide and am a supporter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ( http://www.afsp.org/ ) and wanted to explore this idea in a musical. And while this creative process was just starting, my father's health was suffering, eventually leading to him falling into a coma. I would drive to the hospital in Boston twice, sometimes three times a week, and on those long car rides, I started thinking about my relationship with him and how I felt about all of the ups and downs we'd had. This was the true spark for what is now DAYBREAK. While the story is entirely fictional, there are many, many personal moments in the show.

2. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing "Daybreak"? DAYBREAK is emotional roller coaster. I want the audience to go on the ride and leave the theatre believing in the power of truth, the power of change, the power of self-worth, the power or family, the power of dreams, the power of communication, and the power of love and self-love -- all without being preachy or corny. See, everybody makes mistakes and everybody feels lost at one time or another, but you must believe that there is a light at the end of that dark tunnel if you want to truly "live."

3. What was it like to write the music for this show? I loved writing this score! It is passionate, darkly humorous, witty, emotional, haunting, textured, and technically challenging. The harmonies are very tight, so that there is always tension. These characters start the show at the height of despair and end the show seeing the daybreak, feeling the weight lift off their shoulders, so to speak. So I needed to create a score that would give that musical journey for both the actor and audience.

4. What is your favorite part of the creative process in putting a show together? Getting the work off the page: rehearsal. Working with the actors and musical director and director...the whole team that creates a night of theatre. Watching and feeling the excitement in a rehearsal room is one of the greatest feelings in the world. With DAYBREAK, I have been blessed to have worked with some phenomenal actors and creative team members who really helped develop the piece through their own passion for the work. I am very lucky and very grateful for those kind and supportive people: Brett Teresa (who did some amazing additional lyrics and supportively guided me along the way), Johanna Pinzler, Sheri Sanders, Jenny DiNoia, David R. Gordon, Kasey Marino, Tricia Tanguy, E. Clayton Cornelious, LaQuet Sharnell, Ray Lee, Maria Pendolino, Marty Thomas, Brad Bass, Kate Pazakis, Eric Michael Krop, and the amazing William Demaniow, and more!

5. Where is your favorite place to write/practice on your own? I am big on "positive energy" and I have two places that have amazing writing energy:

1) In my music room in my apartment. I live right across the water in NJ and have the entire first floor of a 2-family house. The "sun room" has become the music room. And there is nothing like writing in a sunny room with four windows looking onto trees, grass and the sky.

2) I also have been very fortunate to have a steady outlet to my friend and big supporter Andi Poch's house on the Jersey Shore where I will go for several days at a time to write in her large house, a stone's throw to the most beautiful private beach. I take care of her sweet old beagles while there and write day and night. I love writing there...very quiet and it is just me and her two dogs (though very sadly, the oldest went to doggie heaven just last night...but she lived a long and happy 17 years and was very loved!)

6. What have you learned about yourself from being a composer/lyricist/writer? I have learned so much about myself! One of the biggest things I have learned it to trust my instincts, in every way possible. I have also learned that patience is a virtue, hard work pays off, and that I love my job! Since I was a little kid, I always "heard" music. I would sing ALL THE TIME. Night and day. On the ice while playing hockey (which I started at age 3 and stopped at age 22), while taking an exam in college, while lying in bed trying to fall asleep, walking around campus, walking around NYC: I'd sing these songs, complete with lyrics, that I'd "hear" in my head. Sometimes it's hard to quiet my brain down, but I am grateful to whomever keeps singing these songs to me! This is what I mean about instinct. I have no idea where these songs and scores come from, but I don't question it anymore. I just go with the flow, trying to put into my fingers what I hear in my head at that particular moment, for a particular character. So for me, like Friedrich Nietzsche said,  "Without music, life would be an error."

7. "Daybreak" recently won the NJ Playwrights contest. What did it mean to you to achieve this honor? It means a lot to me! This is a tough somewhat unforgiving business (and boy have I experienced that from many). Being a "go getter", I started my career doing as many concerts as possible so that my work could get out there. This has/had its advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage was that I became known as "that concert guy" who could write good songs. Nobody knew that I was writing scores and that I had several musicals in development. Now that all of those projects are finished (W2ML with book writer Alicia Dempster; 'TIL DEATH DO US PART with book writer Allen Mogol; A CHRISTMAS CAROL with Angelyn Benson, and DAYBREAK with Brett Teresa), it is thrilling to be able to say that my MUSICAL won an award. Not my song. Not my concert. But an original book musical, not based on a movie or novel or play, won a statewide playwrighting contest. My agents are as excited as I am, believe me!

8. "Daybreak" is going to have a production in London and one in NJ this June. What excites you about these two upcoming productions? What is it like to be an international success? As I have been working my tush off the past few years, I am most excited to see the world of DAYBREAK come to life in two fully realized productions, complete with sets and costumes and sound cues and lights and a band and, you know, the real thing!! Every writer's dream, really. And, I am excited to see how the two productions differ, being performed for two very different audiences.

I am very lucky to have met an amazing agent in London, James Beresford, who literally saw me perform an 8-song concert of my work in a pub featuring members of the London cast of HAIR. (again with the concert, but look what this concert did for me...I have Daybreak and a new song cycle called THE CONCRETE JUNGLE which is being written for the ArtsEd School, Lord Webber is the president of the school, opening in the spring). James has been instrumental in getting my work to the West End community, a community that has been extremely welcoming and supportive of my work and that of other US composers.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? I was at a holiday party a handful of years back,and having arrived late due to work, there were only five people there. We were sitting around drinking, chatting and this man next to me asked what I did for a living. I said "babysit, petsit, and bartend for now. I'm a composer/lyricist starting my career, waiting for someone to take notice..." He said, "oh really? I'm a composer. It's a tough business, believe me." We chatted for a while and then I said, "Oh, I'm Bobby, by the way." to which he replied, "I'm Frank...Frank Wildhorn." Well, I almost spit up my spiked egg nog, but did my best to keep my composure. He told me some really cool stories, some trivia, etc...He was so nice! As we were all leaving he said to me, "You're one of the nice guys, aren't you? Let me give you some advice: don't lose that. Stay a nice guy. And, contrary to what most composers would say to young writers, give your music to anyone who asks for it, because you never know who/what they will become."

Well, a few months later I nervously did my very first NYC concert and my friend Caissie Levy, an ensemble member of WICKED at the time, had heard my song "Dear Daddy" from W2ML (then called BRAT CAMP). She asked if she could sing it at this concert, which she did with her usual brilliance. Somehow the song got up on YouTube just as Caissie became Elphaba in LA. Suddenly I was getting daily emails asking if I sold my sheet music for "Dear Daddy" and "Reach The Sky" and others...I had no idea anyone other than the fifty people at the D-Lounge concert knew my music!

That same week, I happened to be doing a benefit with the amazing Scott Alan who also gave me great advice: "get a website, get more songs on YouTube, and sell your sheet music! I promise you, it will all pay for itself." So, I got a website and indeed  started to sell my sheet music. Shortly after, Caissie graced Broadway with her beautiful performance as Shelia in HAIR. Again, "Dear Daddy" on YouTube got tons of hits and I sold lots of sheet music. Suddenly I was making a living as a composer/lyricist! And then Caissie blew it up as Molly in GHOST (side note: I found out the casting directors of GHOST passed around an iPhone with her singing "Dear Daddy" on YouTube saying, "check this out. This is Molly!" -- note: what goes around, comes around. So spread around goodness. There's enough evil in this world.)

I now have tons of UK fans who are singing my music at auditions and showcases! It's a really cool feeling!

I am eternally grateful to Caisse, Frank and Scott...and all of the actors who have sung their hearts out for me.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? I really want to say something intelligent or poignant, and even though I already have my dream man...I could dream all night about Hugh Jackman.

Spring Groove

Spring Groove is a former Broadway performer and an award-winning singer song writer honored by Billboard and The LA Music Awards for Best Female Singer. With 7 critically-acclaimed CDs, Spring’s music ranges from Folk and Pop to Ecstatic and Meditative Mantra. As a street musician, Spring flourishes. She has independently sold over 15,000 CD’s and has opened hearts around the world headlining at festivals throughout Italy, Germany and other European cities. Spring is also a bhakti yogi who tours internationally to help awaken consciousness and create community through the gift of music.

Spring produced & performed the sold out SHE ROCKS BROADWAY AT Studio 54, raising over $100K for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the New York Fashion Cares and the benefit LA concert, SPRING FEVER. Spring’s music has been featured in several independent award winning films and has been played on both MTV and E! Television. LA Yoga Magazine says “…her light is infectious.” Spring’s voice has been recorded with bhakti yogis such as Has Christian of Rasa, David Newman, Petros Haffenrichter, The Temple Bhajan Band and David Stringer with whom she tours regularly all over the world. Her training includes The Boston Conservatory and The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram in The Bahamas and extensive touring in over 15 countries.

Now Spring is returning to her theatrical roots with her new Off-Broadway show, "Spring Alive," presented by ONE Healing Arts Company. "Spring Alive" will play at Dixon Place (161 Chrystie Street, between Rivington & Delancey) through March 25 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm. Click here for tickets! For a sneak peak of "Spring Alive," check out the video at the end of the interview...

For more on Spring be sure to visit http://springgroove.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a singer/songwriter/performer? I grew up listening and singing Carole King’s Tapestry album on my record player in my bedroom. This was by far my greatest single musical inspiration for becoming a singer-songwriter.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? I work so often as a solo singer-songwriter I am always grateful to collaborate with all like minded GREAT musicians, and producers.

3. What made you want to create "Spring Alive"? I never set out to write SPRING ALIVE. I wanted to create a concert which fused my music and kirtan. After producing this concert and a LIVE CD of the experience, SPRING FEVER, I reconnected with my friend, Nick Demos. Nick had also become a yogi in our time apart and a successful Broadway producer. Since he was producing theatre and was interested in collaborating it became clear to me I needed to return to my roots in the theatre and turn this concept into something more theatrical. I loved the idea of getting the opportunity to bring my life and art FULL circle.

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing "Spring Alive"? I hope SPRING ALIVE will open the hearts of its audience in a joyful way and encourage them to courageously take the next leap in their own journeys.

5. "Spring Alive" combines Folk, Pop, and Ecstatic Mantra music genres. What attracted you to each of these genres? I love folk music because I love the art of crafting storytelling into song. I LOVE the power of a GREAT POP hook that makes you want to sing it over and over and take flight. I LOVE ecstatic mantra because it immediately gets me OUT of my Head and into my HEART….it’s the most accessible form of meditation I know.

6. Your music has been featured in numerous films and on MTV and E! Television. What was it like the first time you found out your music was going to be used? It's a total thrill when others connect to my songs the way I connected to them as I wrote them. It makes me realize how we are part of something bigger than ourselves and I love that I can serve with song.

7. What is your favorite part of the creative process in putting an album together? Where is your favorite place to write? My favorite part of putting an album together is the moment I finish writing a song. Generally the moments prior are chaotic and emotional so there is a tremendous clearing when its formulated into something neat, clear and done.

I move around so much I don't have a set place I write. My favorite is a quiet, private space with good acoustics, a good sounding guitar or piano surrounded by inspiring serene nature.

8. What have you learned about yourself from being a singer/songwriter/performer? I've learned it’s possible to make a soul connection with total strangers through song. I've learned that I can transform low moments in my life into something beautiful. I've learned HOME is wherever I am…and I've learned that energy is contagious, so I am more mindful of what I put out into the world.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? "Follow your HEART and let it lead you in the moments of uncertainty."

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? I like to dream about the love in my life, this way when I wake I get to feel I'm living my dreams.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? Favorite day off would include…sleeping in, preferably with my love…good food, good music, good wine.

12. Favorite way to stay in shape? Yoga and ZUMBA.

13. Favorite skin care product? Coco Butter…love it!

14. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? Flying or better yet Teleportation…this would come in quite handy with my touring schedule. I spend too much time away from too many people I care about.