NADENE

Nadene is an indigenous Ngātiwai musician and actor. She has developed a an exploratory sound with themes of duality, transformation and transcendence.

​Nadene’s training as a vocalist and viola player in jazz and classical music is evident in her compositions. Via South Pacific harmonies, a Maori chant, and a duet with her young daughter, her voice carries us through chamber pieces, a tango, mutated funk and free electro-acoustic improvisations. Reflective of her mixed heritage as a New Zealander growing up in Queensland, Australia; of her Maori and Irish descent, a splash of Portuguese on her father’s side.

​Ongoing collaborations include recordings and performances with multi-instrumentalist and composer David Ornette Cherry, the son of legendary jazz musician Don Cherry. David Ornette Cherry’s Organic Notes Band played the 43rd Annual Watts Towers Jazz Festival and has a new recording released soon on Spiritmuse Records in 2021. Nadene has collaborated with leading Canadian Indigenous Arts Company, Red Sky Performance to present a multi-disciplinary concert, Truth 2 Power, in Toronto. She has a creative performance trio with dancer Heidi Pendergast and harpist/vocalist Nailah Hunter, along with her electro-acoustic solo project.

An avid music educator, Nadene teaches string orchestras in under-served communities for the non-profit organization Education Through Music – Los Angeles. She was a teaching artist at the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s signature ‘El Sistema’ program – YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles) in the Rampart District of Los Angeles, where she was the teacher of Anthony Gonzales who stars as Miguel in the 2017 Disney/Pixar movie, Coco. She incorporates mindfulness and her experience as a meditation teacher into her sound healing community work and classes.

​Nadene holds a Masters degree in contemporary cross-cultural improvisation.

“Rarely does a new voice of such originality and unusual approach appear.”

 – The Australian

Michael Thau

Investigative Columnist

Chesand "Chessi" Gregory is the author of the award-winning book Did Santa Wear a Mask? A multitalented, resourceful and naturally charismatic teacher, wife of a scientist, and mother of two energetic boys, The JAG Brothers. When not teaching, Chessi is most likely singing, crafting, gardening or cooking up a storm for her family.

Her personable and communicative nature allows her to easily captivate young minds by engaging them in fun and exciting ways.

As a child advocate, she empowers children by allowing them to voice their thoughts and ideas.

"One of my missions is to inspire mompreneurs to confidently build meaningful connections to empower their children's voices without their awareness for success.

Before writing my first book, inspired by my 4-year-old son, I was featured as Melody's mother by The American Girl® Doll Company in their new book release – Melody - No Ordinary Sound. I was also featured in the Loblaws® Celebrate your kitchen catalogue and as a lifestyle model for other well-known brands including, Leg Master® and Body Glove®. As a trailblazing entrepreneur, I also received the All Women Rock 2021 Women Entrepreneur Award."



Author, Chesand “Chessi” Gregory is a trained high school educator with an expertise in nutrition and teaching experiences spanning Preschool, Elementary and High school. Her love of the arts led her to the study of Couture Designs and winning awards in music competitions in her early years encouraged her to become a contemporary singer.

Connect with Chessi here:

Website: chesandgregory.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarvelouschessiglori/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesandGregory

Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chesand-gregory-72765133/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6gUMr_MH0

https://authoritypresswire.com/tradition-diversity-and-safety-all-things-that-are-joyfully-tied-together-in-chesand-gregorys-childrens-book-did-santa-wear-a-mask/

Eve Schaenen has served as the Executive Director of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center since 2016. Under her leadership, the Museum has seen a 46% rise in attendance, and the development of immersive education programs that reach thousands of middle and high school students annually. A specialist in nonprofit management and communications, Schaenen worked previously with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, Edible Schoolyards NYC and other mission-based organizations. A former journalist, Schaenen wrote for The New York Times covering Berlin, Germany, where she lived with her family before moving to Montclair. Her board service includes Chair of the Montclair Public Library Foundation Board and trustee of that institution. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.F.A. from Warren Wilson College and was a Fulbright Fellow. Her favorite luxury is an ocean swim, and she is inordinately fond of her rescue greyhound Tippi, who is inordinately fond of eating flowers.

Lindsay Berra is a freelance sports journalist based in New Jersey. She is currently creating content for Tom House’s pitching bio-mechanics app, Mustard, hosting the sports nutrition podcast Food of the Gods, and contributing regularly to Men’s Health. Previously, Lindsay was a national correspondent at MLB.com and MLB Network and a senior writer at ESPN Magazine. She received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played varsity softball and men’s club ice hockey. Lindsay is the oldest grandchild of Carmen and Yogi Berra and a board member at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, NJ. She is also an avid Cross Fitter, yogi, cyclist, runner, hiker and golfer.