Meet the Artists Performing at the 63rd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
For over 60 years, a line-up of L.A. based artists and community groups have gathered at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage to showcase a wide range of artistry, talent and cultural traditions at the annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration. From Kayamanan Ng Lahi's vibrant expressions of Filipino culture through song and dance to the West Coast sound-inspired funky tunes of Sista Jean's Blues Machine, this year's performers offer up a slice of L.A.'s vibrancy and rich diversity. Get to know the 22 artists and groups slated for this year's performance.
The 63rd annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration can be enjoyed live, for free, at The Music Center on Dec. 24, 2022 or watched on air or streamed on PBS SoCal and KCET.
ADAAWE
Mixing West African roots, Gospel harmonies and American Funk, women-led ensemble ADAAWE brews up a contemporary global fusion. Its dynamic members bring diverse percussive and harmonic flavors to the stage, with an intoxicating energy that captivates audiences everywhere. Through their music, they also build community, promote women's rights and social and environmental justice. ADAAWE has headlined performing arts venues, festivals, colleges and clubs across the U.S. and opened for such artists as Mickey Hart, James Brown and Michael Franti. ADAAWE has supported benefits such as Human Rights Watch with Annette Benning, Roots & Shoots with Jane Goodall and Urban Peace Awards with Harry Belafonte. ADAAWE members were featured with LeAnn Rimes in the opening number of the 2022 Rose Parade and their album "Passage" is an arresting collection of Afro-fusion, ranging from their trademark vocal percussion and djembe drum rhythms to Afrobeat, Reggae and Soul.
California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley Vocal Arts Ensemble
The Vocal Arts Ensemble is an auditioned, small ensemble comprised of high school students enrolled in the Vocal Arts Conservatory at California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV). The accompanying instrumentalists are students from the school's Wind & Jazz Studies Program within the Instrumental Music Conservatory and collectively, they are known as the Jazz Ambassador Combo. CSArts-SGV is a public charter school that provides an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging and nurturing environment to a diverse student body passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential.
Daniel Ho & Halau Hula Keali'i o Nalani
Lauded as "Hawaii's greatest contemporary musical ambassador," by "Ukulele Magazine," six-time GRAMMY Award winner Daniel Ho is also known for his work as a slack key guitarist, pianist, composer, singer-songwriter and producer. His recordings span not only traditional and modern Hawaiian music, but include elements of contemporary Jazz, Classical, Folk and sounds from around the world. Ho's philosophy is simple — "every note counts" — and to always connect with the listener's emotions through his compositions and performances. His trio includes Randy Drake on drums and cellist Danna Xue.
Kealiʻi Ceballos is recognized for his perpetuation of ancient hula and Hawaiian culture. He is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer and GRAMMY-nominated vocalist known for his commitment and service to the community. His award-winning Southern California-based hula school, Hālau Hula Kealiʻi o Nālani, is going on its 32nd year and his student base extends as far as Japan, Taiwan and Mexico. Ceballos and the Hālau never cease to inspire in their love for sharing Nā Mea Hawaiʻi (all things Hawaiʻi).
Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles
Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), under the leadership of Executive Director & Producer Lou Spisto and Music Director & Conductor Ernest H. Harrison, has continued to garner acclaim for artistic excellence while remaining deeply rooted in service to the Los Angeles community and beyond by promoting civil rights, tolerance and acceptance through music. Founded in 1979 during the emergence of the gay rights movement, GMCLA has spread its message of love and acceptance with concerts across the globe and has raised its collective voice in the struggle for equality, social justice, the fight against the AIDS crisis, the fight for marriage equality and supporting all those seeking to find their own voice. GMCLA's free ticket program has provided access to concerts for thousands of low-income families over the decades and research-based education programs have served over 75,000 young people throughout the Los Angeles region.
After the pandemic shutdown, GMCLA triumphantly returned to stage in 2021 with a full season of live concerts at Royce Hall and numerous community performances throughout Los Angeles. Prior to the pandemic, GMCLA was honored to perform at Carnegie Hall and appeared with Hugh Jackman at The Hollywood Bowl in 2019. For over 40 years, the Chorus has built an international reputation for musical excellence while remaining deeply rooted in service to the Los Angeles community. Hailed by the "Los Angeles Times" as "one of the last important links to a glorious tradition in music," critics have also proclaimed the Chorus as "inspired" and "expressive, innovative and utterly moving," and hailed GMCLA for presenting "meaningful entertainment."
GMCLA is celebrating its 44th concert season with two upcoming mainstage performances for Los Angeles audiences to enjoy: "I'M WITH HER" at the Alex Theatre in March will celebrate ground-breaking women singers and songwriters and the Chorus' season finale, "DISNEY PRIDE IN CONCERT", a multi-media event featuring beloved Disney music, film clips and a full orchestra accompanying the Chorus at Walt Disney Concert Hall in June 2023.
Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts
Kayamanan Ng Lahi, translated as treasures of our people, is a Philippine folk art and dance organization based in Los Angeles. Founded in 1990, its mission statement is to inspire transformation through cultural understanding and artistic expression so that the group empowers its members themselves, their families and communities and enrich society. As a family-oriented, multi-generational, folk arts organization, Kayamanan Ng Lahi strives to create meaningful impacts for members and audiences everywhere, with hopes of deepening connections between Filipino heritage and Filipino American identity in the diaspora. Through education and entertainment, the group provides opportunities to learn and experience the richness and diversity of Philippine culture through dance, music and song, while holding steadfast to their core values always and in all ways: Katiwala (stewardship), Kalinagan (culture), Kapwa (shared-identity) and Galang (respect).
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble
The music curriculum at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts offers all students the opportunity to study music theory (Cassical and Jazz) training from music fundamentals to advanced harmony, perform in large and small ensembles (instrumental and vocal) and study music technology along with film scoring. Each ensemble performs in public concerts three times a year, including the annual Music Gala in February, which features all ensembles. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a premiere vocal ensemble that has been featured at the Playboy Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival and most recently at the 2022 MLB All-Star Game during the Stand Up 2 Cancer moment.
Las Colibri
Las Colibríor "The Hummingbirds," have a passion for music, beauty and girl power. These women are flying into new territory as one of the most unique ensembles of its genre by returning to the all-string instrumentation of the early 20th century Mariachi tradition and the colorful, feminine costumes of the Mexican cinematic divas of the 40s and 50s. After years of achieving much success individually as instrumentalists and vocalists in various professional arenas, these women have come together to form a stringed ensemble that is like no other in its genre. While their stunning beauty, innovative arrangements and unforgettable vocal harmonies have propelled them to much success, their commitment to culture and higher education has made them role models for their community. With eight bachelor's degrees and four master's degrees among them, Las Colibri is a dangerous Latinx combination of beauty, brains and musical enchantment. Every performance the group gives will be sure to get you laughing, crying, singing and even dancing to their contagious beats and melodies.
Lorenzo Johnson & PRAIZUM
Lorenzo Johnson, songwriter, musician, teacher, minister and advocate for foster youth, was shaped by his own personal tragedy and loss. His passion leads him to stand on every platform with purpose, hoping to impact lives and make a difference with every word, note and melody. Johnson's heart was always beating to the rhythm of music. At a young age he was considered gifted and his gifts and talents made room for him in the Gospel and mainstream industry. His musical diversity has allowed him to perform on live television, at various venues around the world as well as work on Grammy-nominated projects. He is most proud of the musical group he founded called PRAIZUM.
The group uses his musical platform to bring awareness to social issues, arts education, foster youth advocacy and cancer awareness. He has been recognized as an agent of change by the mayor and city council members of Los Angeles and Carson, Calif. He has been quoted by the "Los Angeles Times" as an active advocate for the arts in education.
PRAIZUM was established in 2006 by Lorenzo Johnson to harness the heart and soul of this generation through music. The members of PRAIZUM derive from a variety of churches across Southern California. The group's original musical compositions cover an array of inspirational and positive music including hymns, traditional, contemporary, Hip-Hop, R&B, Christian & Gospel. The group's diversity sets it apart and gives it a unique ability to appeal to people from different walks of life.
PRAIZUM's debut album "Life Support" is comprised of Christian, traditional and contemporary Gospel music. Johnson's own experience with his aunt and mother's diagnosis with multiple-sclerosis and breast cancer respectively was the inspiration behind the album's title "Life Support." The group is driven by its message of hope and plans to take that message beyond national borders.
MUSYCA Children's Choir
MUSYCA Children's Choir is a performance-based vocal music education program for children and youth in Los Angeles. MUSYCA singers serve the community through their performances, charitable event appearances, sound recordings and collaborations. MUSYCA collaborated with Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Hudson, DJ Mustard, Ella Mai, Newsboys, Rihanna, Ty Dolla Sign and many other prominent artists, producers and composers. The voices of MUSYCA singers are featured in motion picture soundtracks ("Boy Erased," "Valerian" and "The City of a Thousand Planets"), movie trailers and commercials. MUSYCA's television credits include the "L.A. County Holiday Celebration" (PBS SoCal), "Home and Family Show" (Hallmark Channel), NBC Channel 4 News, "The OA" (Netflix series), "Fresh off the Boat", "Single Parents" (ABC) and "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards". The choir represents Los Angeles on domestic and international tours, with past performances in New York, Washington D.C., France, Austria, Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Spain. MUSYCA is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Our Lady of the Angels Children's Chorus
The Our Lady of the Angels Children's Chorus was founded by Music Teacher Cristopher Avendaño as part of his choral program. As a teacher in several schools in the greater Los Angeles area, Avendaño would combine his choirs to perform together in concerts and festivals here and abroad. This year, the combined choirs performing are from Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School in Hollywood and St. Genevieve School in Panorama City.
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre (PBDT), based in Burbank, holds a deep and proud ballet legacy spanning three generations tracing its legacy to the Ballet Russes and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. PBDT's repertoire features a mixture of Ballet Russe works ranging from the well-known "Can Can" from Gaite Parisienne and Scheherazade, to classical ballet with the family favorite "The Nutcracker" and the neo-classical "Movements" by Rachmaninov. The group's repertoire also includes energetic and edgy contemporary pieces like "Cut to the Chase" incorporating the company's story telling in the dramatic ballet "Carmen." In July 2022, PBDT returned to live theatre performances, offering "No Business Like Show Business" to a sold-out theatre. The company prides itself on the variety of performances and adventures, featuring different ranges of repertoire and diversity in both choreography and company of dancers. Offering theatrical performances to the public again is PBDT's way of saying, "Live theatre is back!"
Pacifíco Dance Company
Pacifíco Dance Company (Pacifíco) was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and reconstruction of classical and contemporary Mexican dance forms. Under the artistic direction of Adriana Astorga-Gainey, Pacifíco has performed for audiences across the nation and internationally. Comprised of 40 accomplished dancers and musicians, the company prides itself on educating culturally diverse communities as well as providing Hispanic audiences with a forum for developing pride in their own heritage. These brilliant artists collaborate to present both traditional and innovative works that combine the essence of traditional styles with modern dance idioms.
Some of Pacifico's most ambitious works include "Frida Kahlo, "the Legend of La Llorona," "Salón México," "Mictlan," "Calacas Clandestinas" and the "Virgin of Guadalupe." Pre-Hispanic works from Concheros and traditional dances from Jalisco, Guerrero, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Veracruz round out the company's repertoire.
For six consecutive years the company performed at the prestigious Dance Kaleidoscope Summer Dance Festival in Los Angeles. The company has collaborated with several well-known musicians including Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Pablo Montero, Conjunto Jardin and Pepe Aguilar for live performances.
Pacifíco Dance Company has performed at many venues throughout the Southwestern United States including Utah, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. The company was also honored to perform in residence at the Kennedy Center in 2007. Local Southern California venues include The Carpenter Center in Long Beach, the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, the Redlands Bowl, The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, The Getty Center and the Universal Amphitheatre. In 2001, Pacifíco Dance Company along with Mariachi Sol de Mexico made a historic visit to North Korea and the People's Republic of China as part of a cultural arts exchange.
In a conjunction with major partners like The Music Center, The Ford Amphitheatre and most recently The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Pacifíco has been educating young children and adults all over the U.S., including the prestigious Kennedy Center. Pacifíco's educational workshops provide students with an overview and further knowledge of all the rich components that make up the beautiful culture of Mexican Folklore.
Pacifíco has been recognized twice as part of the Irvine DanceMaker awards. Throughout its 20-year history, Pacifíco has put much emphasis on collaborations with educational organizations to produce performances for students from K-12.
Palmdale High School Choral Union and Sunday Night Singers
The Palmdale High School Choral Union is a select ensemble drawn from the 60 voice a cappella choir. They have performed nationally and internationally in festivals and competitions earning superior and gold ratings. The Chamber Singers are joined by the Sunday Night Singers, a select non-profit chamber choir with members who come from many parts of L.A. County. Many of the Sunday Night Singers started as high school singers at Palmdale High School. The Sunday Night Singers have recorded three albums and also have an outstanding national and international presence. Combined, these two ensembles have performed on many previous Holiday Celebration broadcasts.
Quarteto Nuevo
Quarteto Nuevo merges Western Classical, Wastern European Folk, Latin and jazz with an organic feel that packs a wallop! Winners of two South Arts Jazz Road Tours grants, the ensemble has composed new movements for its "Jazz Road Suite" celebrating each state they visit. Colorado, Wyoming and Utah were featured in 2020. In Fall 2021, the group added Montana to the suite while touring four Big Sky communities. Quartet Nuevo's diverse programs can be tailored to fit anywhere, from an intimate chamber music venue to a large outdoor festival. Known for engaging in outreach programs that include pop-up concerts in community venues, Quarteto's master musicians create emotionally charged soundscapes with instruments and sensibilities that represent different world cultures. Their unique instrumentation — soprano saxophone/woodwinds (Damon Zick), cello (Jacob Szekely), guitar (Kenton Youngstrom) and hand percussion (Felipe Fraga) — richly colors their wide-ranging repertoire. Winners of the Beverly Hills National Auditions, Quarteto Nuevo travels a musical journey that begins with Erik Satie and Heitor Villa-Lobos and takes audiences to Chick Corea and the groups own stunning original compositions.
Reverb Tap Company
Reverb Tap Company is based out of Southern California under the direction of critically acclaimed Artistic Director and Choreographer Leah Silva. With their fierce foot work, rich tributes and respect to this American art form, these versatile, well trained and accomplished dancers bring tap dance to the youth and adult scene in a cutting edge, vibrant and sophisticated way! Known for combining dance and film, as well as bringing down the house with their innovative performances, these young performing powerhouse dancers from Southern California are fierce, talented, inspired and driven. Reverb Tap Company has produced its own full-length show and has been the featured entertainment for the Emmy Awards (Governor Balls); the Official Selection for the 2018 Newport Beach Film Festival; the Young Artists Academy Awards; the American Cancer Society; McCoy Rigby Entertainment; KTLA News segments; and other performances at renowned dance festivals across the United States. Reverb Artists have been recommended for and secured professional jobs; won Gold and top placements at the International Tap Dance Championships in Germany (IDO); been finalists and Grand Champion winners of performing arts scholarship programs such as "The Music Center's Spotlight;" and received numerous awards and scholarships for outstanding performances and artistry.
Shivam Arts Dance Company joined by Clarita Corona of Arte Flamenco
Led by Sonal Kumar Turakhia, Shivam Arts Dance Company (SADC) is a professional group of highly-skilled, classically trained Kathak dancers who are pushing the boundaries of traditional dance in a modern setting. SADC's bold interpretations frequently incorporate musical styles not typically used in Kathak, such as Irish rhythms, Spanish guitar, African drums, etc. The dance company has also artfully transformed several Bollywood classics into beautiful classical presentations. This approach helps further enrich the dance form entertaining and appealing to today's audience without losing the traditional aesthetics of the classical dance form. Since then, SADC has produced several notable dance videos, using the music of HBO hit-show "Succession" and Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars." Shivam Arts Dance Company's work often explores the intersection of movements possible between traditional Kathak and contemporary dance forms. The result is dance that is innovative and beautiful across all genres. Through such collaboration between movement and music, we can see the versatility of dance across cultures, peoples and times. The dancers have all gone through intensive training at Shivam Arts School of Kathak Dance.
L.A. native Clarita Corona is the founder and Artistic Director of the Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre located in the City of Alhambra. After performing at The Arenal, a flamenco club in Spain, Clarita was recognized as a soloist and danced for Spanish dignitaries as well as performing with some of Spain's premier flamenco artists in Europe and Mexico. Now based in L.A., Clarita is also a member of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts artist roster and continues to perform, lecture and bring Flamenco and Spanish dance culture to Southern California.
Sista Jean's Blues Machine
Sista Jean first started her career as a background singer for Tina Turner, Cher, Mick Jagger, Keb' Mo' and Celine Dion. She then performed solo as Pepper MaShay "International Dance Diva," a five-time Top 10 Billboard charting artist, before bringing it back home to her Blues and Acoustic music roots. Now Sista Jean performs as herself, with her acoustic partner Carlyle Barriteau as Sista Jean & CB, and with her backup four-piece band as Sista Jean's Blues Machine. Influenced by the West Coast sounds, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Joan Armatrading and Odetta Holmes ("The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement"), Sista Jean has toured the world with R&B and Jazz artist Bobby Caldwell and Blues and Jazz artist Hugh Laurie. Awards include the Southern California Blues Society "Battle of the Bands" (2012), 3rd Place in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest with "Love is Callin" (2015), Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Blues (2015) and Best Song (2016). Performances include the various Blues songs from her debut album Back to The Root and "Requiem for A Heavyweight" from her sophomore album "Tribute to Odetta" as Sista Jean & CB and Sista Jean's Blues Machine in 2019.
Sound of China Guzheng Ensemble
The Sound of China Guzheng Ensemble (SOCGE) was formed by a group of guzheng lovers in 2006. The ensemble is a non-profit organization with the goal to promote guzheng music through public performances. Under the direction of Professor Cynthia Hsiang, ensemble members include professional guzheng players such as Cookie Zhao, gold medalist from the National Youth Fine Arts Competition; Audry Zeng, gold medalist from China's New Star on Arts Competition; and Luffy Ling, award winner from the National College Arts Competition. Other members of the ensemble are mostly well reputed guzheng musicians and teachers.
SOCGE regularly gives performances in the Greater Los Angeles area as well as abroad. In 2012, the group hosted the Sound of Asia series to promote and share all types of Asian guzheng music. In 2013 and 2017, SOCGE was invited to perform at the Chinese Guzheng Arts Conference in Yangzhou. In 2016, the ensemble hosted an international guzheng exchange concert inviting guzheng musicians around the world to perform in Los Angeles; that year the ensemble was also invited to perform in Hong Kong and Taiwan. In 2017, SOCGE produced its first Sound of China Guzheng Ensemble album, "Melodies of Zheng," in the United States. In 2019, the group was invited to perform at the Malaysia Guzheng Festival.
Squad Harmonix
Squad Harmonix is an all-kids a cappella performance group from Santa Monica consisting of young performers ages eight to 17 years old. Winners of three national awards last year, Squad Harmonix brings a high energy, fun and vibrant family-friendly show with a heavy focus on pop, contemporary, Disney and movie-theme music. With snazzy dance moves, live beatboxing and audience participation, Squad Harmonix puts on a great show for the whole family. The a capella group has over 500,000 views on YouTube, two albums on Spotify and a growing local fanbase.
Temper Tantrum
Temper Tantrum Dance Company's mission is leveraging and showcasing the artistry of our dancers through various forms of media. They create fun, family-friendly content and empowering topics for a broad spectrum of audiences. The company's goal is to share the art that they create, as well as collaborate with companies and utilize their talents in dance and film as a medium of communication. Temper Tantrum is comprised of multi-talented dancers and artists, focused on creating fun and meaningful stories that resonate with audiences of all ages. They aim to use artistry to put forth powerful storytelling through dance, whether it is to spread a positive message, promote a product or support a movement the company believes in.
Urban Voices Project
The Urban Voices Project (UVP) Choir is composed of artists and performers from the Skid Row neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, currently or formerly disenfranchised by the condition of homelessness. Throughout the year, they share music and its healing power with many audiences inside and outside the neighborhood of Skid Row. Through UVP Choir's outreach, the group shares the stories and the successes of integrating music and community singing into a holistic system for combating the homelessness crisis. UVP Choir is only the face of the program, as the heart of the work is in the form of several workshops offered weekly in Skid Row and around Los Angeles County by a talented and highly trained faculty in both music healing and education.
Founded by Colburn School teaching artist, Leeav Sofer–recognized as Los Angeles' Jewish Journal's 30 under 30–directs the choir and UVP programs. His co- founder, Christopher Mack, aka "The Urban Sage," is a singing community outreach coordinator walking the streets of Skid Row for Wesley Health Centers for the past 14 years. Kate Richards Geller, a music therapy consultant, advises the project and offers a strong foundation in healing and wellness across the organization. UVP has found recognition in the front page of the Los Angeles Times, NBC's "Today Show" and "Dateline" Special and was featured on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered." The Choir has had the privilege to collaborate with many partners, including Street Symphony and their Annual Messiah Project, singing shoulder to shoulder with Los Angeles Master Chorale singers, accompanied by Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians. The Choir has been featured at multiple discussion panels, government inaugurations, gala events and international community healthcare conferences. They have sung on stages from Skid Row's streets, all the way to venues such Los Angeles' Ace Hotel Theater. The choir enjoys collaborations with celebrities such as Mr. Dick Van Dyke and Bootsy Collins.
Voices of Reason
Voices of Reason is a community a cappella choir that sings songs with a secular twist! They practice twice a month and perform a few times every year at various venues and organizations. With approximately 12 to 15 regular members, Voices of Reason is first and foremost about becoming better musicians and having fun. All religious or political beliefs are welcomed, as their ultimate agenda is to sound great and entertain! Their performances cater to nonreligious audiences, with a repertoire ranging from softer humanist themes to pieces of satire. Some of their performance pieces include "Every Sperm is Sacred" from "Monty Python," "Imagine" by John Lennon, and much more!
