MICHELLE JACQUES
FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Michelle Jacques is the Artistic Director/founder of the CHELLE! and Friends,and WOW (Women of the World) ensembles. Michelle performs educational programs for the San Francisco Symphony’s Adventures in Music program.
Michelle is the founder and director of the ALA Children’s Chorus in Alameda, is an elementary school conductor for Oakland Youth Chorus in the Oakland Unified School district, and LEAP…Imagination in Learning in the San Francisco school district and director of the Young Performers International chorus in Marin.
Michelle is also a founding member of the Street Sounds a cappella quintet. Michelle has toured throughout the United States and Europe performing with and along side many well know artists including: Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, Linda Hopkins, Ladysmith Black Mambaza, Pete Seger, Al Greene, and The Persuasions. Michelle also performed in Geneva, Switzerland, for the United Nations World Conference of Human Rights, the Montreux Jazz Festival, The Gurten Music Festival, and The Berne Jazz Festival.
Michelle’s credits include: recipient of the City Of Oakland, Individual Artist grant for 2008-2009, winner of the 1992, Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) for “Best Folk/Progressive Song”, “Home Africa.
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DEBBIE FIER
Debbie Fier brings over 25 years of experience to her life as a performing vocalist, drummer, pianist, composer, percussionist and teacher. She has performed internationally throughout England and in Berlin, Germany and throughout the U.S., in venues including Festival at the Lake in Oakland, CA, the Michigan Women’s Music Festival, Singing For Our Lives, a 24-hour New Years’ chanting celebration created by Bobby McFerrin, and Sistahs Steppin’ in Pride (Oakland, ’04). Debbie has spent over 20 years exploring voice in many different contexts, including western/classical vocal technique, theory, ear training, improvisation, jazz, chanting and Indian raga singing. Debbie studied jazz piano with the legendary pianist and master musician, Mary Lou Williams, in the early 1980’s. She has studied numerous drum and dance styles for over 25 years — Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban and African, has taught drumming to individuals and groups, and has led many, diverse community drumming circles. Debbie spent years learning Hatha, Iyengar and Kundalini yoga and has practiced “Way of Joy” Chi Kung (movement meditation) for 15 years. She has had extensive training in psychology, counseling and various forms and styles of meditation. In the past 5 years, she has found a home at Kehilla Community Synagogue as a spiritual leader through drumming. Kehilla is a Jewish Renewal synagogue that blends traditional elements with contemporary values – political, social and spiritual — creating a spirituality that feels more holistic and inclusive. Her original compositions are available on three recordings — In Your Hands, Firelight, and her most recent, Coming Home. Find our more about Debbie at: www.debbiefier.com
BRYAN DYER
Bryan S. Dyer is a multi-talented musician who not only sings but plays several instruments including bass guitar, percussion and piano; writes and arranges music, conducts choirs and groups, and has worked in television and radio. A veteran of some of the Bay Area's top vocal groups including Street Sounds, SoVoSo and Slammin, he also sings with Chelle and Friends, Rankin Scroo and Ginger, and R&B group, 510. His musical experiences have him taken around the globe including several trips throughout Europe, Japan, South Korea and Jamaica. Bryan's talents have landed him alongside such artist as Al Green, Bobby McFerrin, Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to name a few.
JAY LAMONT
Jay Lamont is originally from Oklahoma City and is a graduate of Langston University with a B.A. Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Jay started out working as a radio personality for radio stations in Oklahoma City and Houston, Texas. After relocating to Houston, he embarked on a career in the comedy business as well as becoming a singer. Jay has opened for a wide variety of artists including the late great Luther Vandross, MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly, D.L. Hughley, Steve Harvey, Tommy Davidson, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Jamie Foxx, The Gap Band, The O’Jays and the late Roger Troutman. While in Houston, Jay was invited to perform at a local comedy club where he met various talented individuals who would help broaden his career. Jay has appeared on the first season of BET’s Comicview as well as Showtime At The Apollo, Russell Simmon’s Def Comedy Jam and Jamie Foxx presents Laffapalooza. Along with CHELLE! and Friends, Jay is also the lead vocalist with two R&B groups. He has toured nationally and internationally. Find our more about Jay at: www.myspace.com/jaylamont
SAM BEVAN
Sam Bevan first established himself as a bassist, vocalist and pianist for a wide variety of bands while stumbling his way through college in pursuit of a “lucrative” French degree. During that time, he won Best Bassist from the Salt Lake City Weekly in 1997 and 1998, as well as Best Songwriter Award in 1998 with his band the Sun Masons. Sam moved to the Bay Area In 1999 and became a member of the David Grisman Quintet from 2000-2001. Following his Dawgville stint, Sam settled into the Bay Area music scene performing with a wide range of groups. He records and tours regularly with the Matt Flinner Quartet, mandolin/fi ddle wizard Joe Craven and Monk’s Music Trio. Other fi ne artists he has worked with include Roswell Rudd, Hal Stein, Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Jenna Memmina, Mimi Fox, Adam Levy, Danny Caron, Sheldon Brown Group, Cuarteto Sonando, Django Latino, Hot Club of San Francisco, Michelle Amador’s Higher, Japonize Elephants, Collective Amnesia, New Pickle Family Circus, and the Lost Trio. In August of 2005, Sam released his debut jazz album, “The Fine Line.” More information on Sam is available at: www.sambevan.com
DONNA VISCUSO
Donna Viscuso is an experienced performer, composer and teacher, having worked in numerous schools, educational programs and grant-sponsored touring ensembles. Donna has performed, recorded and toured with many groups, including The Snake Trio, Jackeline Rago and The Venezuelan Music Project, Altazor, Wild Mango, the KTO project, Chelle and Friends, Brazilian singer Adriana Moreno and Chilean singer/songwriter Lichi Fuentes. She studied music at Laney College and San Francisco State University, and has experience playing fl ute, saxophone, harmonica and percussion. Donna has traveled to Venezuela to further her musical studies. While there, she performed and recorded with several renowned musicians, including percussionist Alexander Livinalli and members of the Fundacion Bigott (Venezuela’s Folkloric Institute). In addition she has recorded with Venezuelan musicians, Aquiles Baez, Gonzalo Grau, Marco Granados, and Leo Blanco. She also performs regularly with the Adventures in Music Program, sponsored by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, performing in elementary schools throughout the S.F. school district, as well as with the World Music Ensemble, W.O.W. (Women of the World) which performs for children of all ages in libraries and schools throughout California. A talented composer, Donna has written music for several award-winning documentaries. Her compositions can also be heard on the popular Living Books collection of Educational CD-Roms, including the ABC Book, Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss, Harry and the Haunted House and Arthur’s Reading Race.