Our thanks to the following musicians who entertained at the 2020 Luminary Walk.
Amado Espinoza, from Bolivia, is a unique composer/performing artist/educator. He specializes in the Bolivian charango, a small ten-stringed guitar, but he demonstrates mastery of over 40 instruments, including Latin, African and Arabic percussion, and native flutes from all over the world. He also builds custom-made native instruments from all parts of the globe. Amado has been seen on TEDxKC, TEDxYouth, and is the 2017 Charlotte St. Foundation Performing Arts Fellow. Along with his wife, Karen Lisondra, he co-directed and composed a theatrical production last year called We are the Landscape, and will be co-directing The Storytelling Project at UMKC’s theatre department this winter. More information.
The American Opera Studio, under the direction of Dr. Bill Hall, was founded in 1998 and is a registered not-for-profit in the state of Kansas. The studio is composed of students who are professionals currently or who are in training for performance careers ranging in age from teenage to adult. The Studio is honored to be the contract provider for Musician Services for The Kansas City Veteran's Administration of the United States Federal Government. The studio performs regularly in the United States and has been invited around the world for various engagements. Previous tours have included Broadway Concerts and Sacred Recitals in addition to full-staged operatic productions in Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and South Africa.
Jeff Bergen is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and talked about Elvis Tribute Artists in the industry today. His star is rapidly rising on the “ETA” horizon, and the buzz is spreading to Elvis fans worldwide. Jeff is a gifted vocalist in his own right, with a multi-octave range, and the distinction of having studied voice with members of New York’s Metropolitan Opera and was a private student of renowned voice coach Dean Wilder. Jeff was also voted a finalist for ten weeks in a row on Ed McMahon’s “Next Big Star” internet talent competition. He has been prolific in the recording and performance of nearly every genre of music, including pop, rock, jazz, country, blues, and gospel.
Griffin Hall began playing bagpipes at the age of 13; and at 17. He is a repeat winner of the North American Championship of Winter Storm, a Grand Champion of the Balmoral Classic, a repeat winner of the Terry McHugh Memorial Championship, and winner of the Piobaireachd Championship of the Metro Cup. Griffin is a student of Dr. Donald McBride and a teacher and recording artist, performing regularly with The American Opera Studio, Inc. He has performed live, in concert, with the YouTube phenomenon, The Piano Guys, and is in demand throughout the United States as a performer and competitor. He has performed multiple times at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and has been featured in the Kansas City Star, Joplin Today, and Piping Times.
The Happy Wanderers is a German band that plays traditional and some not-so-traditional songs from the beer hall, beer garden and all around Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As musicians, we have played in a variety of concert bands around the Kansas City area. We organized in 2014, and have played at community events, restaurants, fairs, social clubs, galleries and private parties. Most of our arrangements are customized for our ensemble, so we always have a full sound that keeps the audience happy, engaged and entertained.
James Isaac is a professional saxophone player and Kansas City native. He performs regularly with several groups including: The People’s Liberation Big Band, which plays free big band jazz; Multiphonic, a dance band; Killer Strayhorn, Kansas City’s premiere jazz quintet; AfterGroove, a contemporary jazz group; and frequently is called to play in area orchestras.
The Metropolitan Conservatory Youth Orchestra is an enrichment group, designed to challenge talented, motivated students seeking a unique ensemble experience. Players range in age from 6 to 18 and rehearse in small groups separated by age and skill level. The orchestra has played at the Kauffman Center's Future Stages Festival four times and regularly performs at exciting venues throughout the Kansas City area. Booking information, or to play with this orchestra.
Molly McLaughlin holds a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Music from the Hartt School, specializing in contemporary, classical and traditional Irish flute. Molly has toured with Jethro Tull, recorded at Capitol Records, and performed at the Folk Alliance International Conference.
Rick Kloog is a student and a musician of the handpan, an instrument so unique that there are only a handful in the Kansas City area. As former drummer and a music engineer for over a decade, the handpan offered a natural rhythm with the additional challenge of composing melody; its sounds first enchanted him in 2011. Since then, he has played for countless yoga practices, meditations, retreats, and events. His playing has taken him to Greece, Spain, Hawaii and other parts of the United States.
Sassafras is a Barbershop quartet and proud members of the Kansas City Chorus.
Sensation! Quartet, formed in 2011, has a combined eighty-five years of signing four-part a capella through the Sweet Adelines experience. With a great love for the Barbershop art form, Sensation! performs for parties, numerous celebrations, and other gatherings, as well as singing the National Anthem at various events around the Kansas City area. All are members of Sweet Adelines International, an organization of a cappella quartets and choruses dedicated to singing four-part harmony in barbershop style.
Turlach grew up on a farm in County Derry, the oldest of seven children. He began playing Irish music in earnest on the flute at the age of 16 studying with County Antrim flute master John Kennedy. Turlach has lived in the US since 1989 and toured extensively with the traditional band Glen Road, performing for audiences of all ages. He will be performing tin whistle at the Luminary Walk. Turlach also plays flute, mandolin and tenor banjo.
The Old Time Village Musicians specialize in performing both secular and sacred 19th-century American music. They dress in clothing from that period when they perform. One penny whistle joins 5 string instruments including hammer dulcimer, autoharp, banjo, string bass, and guitar. Vocal arrangements frequently employ 3 part harmony. They have performed at the Missouri Town 1855 Fall Festival, Cass County Bluegrass Festival, Oak Grove Bluegrass Festival, the Overland Park Historical Society, and the Overland Park Farmers Market in addition to many churches and schools throughout the Kansas City Area.