Delta Rae, the North Carolina-based Americana band built around the masterful songwriting, emotive vocals and sublime harmonies of 4 ‘Til Dawn alums, just signed a record deal with Warner Brothers.  Siblings Ian, Eric and Britanny Hölljes grew up together in San Rafael, but through ‘Til Dawn met, befriended and formed a durable musical kinship with Liz Hopkins, another ‘Til Dawn alumna from San Rafael.  Long before Delta Rae’s existence, they sang together on ‘Til Dawn’s award-winning CD, Songs in the Key of AWESOME.   They talk in a recent Washington Post article about what it is like for them to work all in the family. Grant Emerson and Mike McKee are the rhythm section.

Austin Willacy, `Til Dawn Director states, “Delta Rae’s songs, voices and live show are so undeniable that a record deal was inevitable.  They are some of the hardest working, most talented and grounded people I know.”

Delta Rae was  signed by Seymour Stein, Vice President of Warner Brothers who signed The Ramones and Madonna and recently received a lifetime achievement award from billboard.

“Their music touches on all aspects of Americana – Gospel, Country, Bluegrass, and Blues. That said the songs are strong pop and have wide appeal.”
- Seymour Stein, co-founder Sire Records and VP at Warner Bros. Records

On February 12 Mill Valley’s famed Sweetwater Music Hall reopens its doors with youth performances including `Til Dawn.  From 5-8pm, don’t miss the excitement!

The Talented Lilan Kane

`Til Dawn Alum Lilan Kane’s has been passing on the musical traditions in both her  Own the Mic program and in a Palo Alto based summer camp for budding musicians.

Check out the video from this past summer. I Feel Good

This was featured at Palo Alto Summer Rock Camp 2011.  Lilan has been teaching there the past three summers and this summer served as Assistant Director.  There were about 30 kids each week through the month of July.  The camp runs weekly and culminates with a concert on Friday night.  They work in  ensembles and prepare 3-4 songs to perform on Friday.  Lilan taught all the parts (horns, guitar, keys, drums, vocals).  They also hold rhythm class, ear training, theory, as well as instrument classes where students can focus on their specific instrument outside of their band.

As Lilan says, “It’s really an awesome experience and has become extremely popular with kids returning every summer, some for 5 or 6 years now. “

Keith White, Kasie Gasparini & Drew Gasparini

`Til Dawn Alum Drew Gasparini’s show “Crazy, Just Like Me” opened in New York on Tuesday to a sold out audience and fantastic buzz in the New York Musical Theater Festival.

“Crazy, Just Like Me” is the story of 3 twenty-somethings, Simon, Mike, and Lauren, who are dealing with life, love, change, and discovery. It shows that sometimes, you don’t get to pick who you love.

If you are in New York and want to check out the show then Click here.

If you want to see a promo to get more information. Click here.

Did you see “Crazy, Just Like Me?” when it premiered here in the Bay Area and featured two more `Til Dawn Alum – Keith White and Kasie Gasparini (pictured above).  In CA and wish you could catch the show?  November 28  &  29 the show will appear at  California State University Chico in Chico, CA. There are only 2 performance dates. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Right now the show is featured in the New York Musical Festival.  The Festival gives artists the crucial chance to hone their craft and their musicals, by realizing their shows in three dimensions before a live and responsive audience — and it delivers greater production value and promotional reach than its participants could otherwise afford.  By consistently attracting the participation of well-known actors, directors and other established members of the theatre industry, the Festival has also created an environment rich with mentorship opportunities for newer artists, and made the festival a leading spot for the discovery of talented new performers, directors, choreographers, designers, and producers — as well as writers.

The largest annual musical theatre event in the world, the Festival presents 30 productions each fall in the heart of New York City’s theatre district, alongside a dazzling array of readings, concerts, and other special events.  It is attended by an audience of more than 30,000 theater lovers and by producers, talent scouts, and other industry insiders. Of the more than 270 new musicals presented at the Festival since its inception in 2004, more than 70 have gone on to successful productions on Broadway, off-Broadway, in almost every U.S. state and in more than a dozen countries around the world.

You can vote for Drew’s show as first place in the Audience appreciation category. Click here.

This is one of the over 35 performances that Til Dawn will do over the course of the year!

`Til Dawn has two rehearsals a week, several weekend retreats over the course of the year and performances all around the Bay Area.

Catch them next on November 6 at the Barbershop Chorus event at Marin Center’s Showcase Theater.

Assembly program feature performances include Native American Hoop Dancing by Eddie Madril, Mexican Ballet Folklorico Netzahualcoyotl, Andean Music with Chaskinakuy, Mask Theater and Commedia dell’arte with Eliot Fintushel, Hawaiian dance with Halau Na Pua O Ka La’akea and Youth in Arts’ award-winning teen a cappella group ‘Til Dawn.

Visual Arts Workshops with Youth in Arts Mentor Artists Suzanne Joyal and Brooke Toczylowski. Everyone is invited to Northgate! Families, teachers, parents and students will discover how these amazing performing and visual artists can come to their schools. Our staff will be on hand to answer questions and explain how you can book events for the new school year.

Many thanks to our event partner, Northgate Mall!

Celebrate at Northgate!
FREE arts performances & workshops
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: AUGUST 27 & 28
12 noon – 2pm, both days
youthinarts.org • 415.457.4878

www.ShopAtNorthgate.com

Julie speaking to MYC students about making the mural.

One of the many Arts Unite Us culminating events was held at The MYC in downtown San Rafael.  Work was presented by students from two Special Day Classes (SDCs) and MYC students of the Intell Clubhouse. The MYC Culinary Arts Program provided the crowd with delicious appetizers and drinks.  Youth in Arts hosted a short program of student presenters.

Grant Grover’s SDC classes from the College of Marin presented their community mural created under the guidance of YIA Mentor Artist Laurie Marshall.  This mural will be mounted on campus at the College of Marin, where it will remind students that “We are all different and we must take care of the Earth!”.

VSA Grant Grover Mural

Students from The MYC’s Intell Clubhouse presented digital media work including Public Service Announcements, digital photography and robotics.  One student spoke about his experience and why he felt it was important to create the work.

Terra Linda’s SDC class taught by Rachel Hughes presented an ASL infused Latin dance choreographed by YIA Mentor Artist Nydia Gonzalez.  The theme of the song was to open your eyes, keep your head up, and enjoy the beautiful things in life!  All students, teachers and family members present joined in the dance!

The event culminated in a fabulous performance by Youth in Arts award winning teen a cappella group ‘Til Dawn.  Thank you to all who attended and we look forward to seeing you at the next event!

Lily Elise, a former member of Youth in Arts a cappella group `Til Dawn (2005-2009), is currently living in Los Angeles pursuing her career as a singing artist.  In 2009, Lily was accepted into the selective inaugural Pop Music program at USC’s Thornton School of Music, a major with a faculty of renowned musicians and industry professionals. While at USC Lily had the opportunity to sing backups for Steve Miller in concert, work closely with Patrice Rushen, Lamont Dozier of the Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland in several master classes, and play for songwriting and performing legend Randy Newman. Faculty also includes bassist Alphonso Johnson, Drummer Leon ‘Ndugu’ Chancler , songwriter Melissa Manchester and more. Given all the talent in this USC program, students naturally and quickly formed bands.  Lily is one of the founding members of the alternative hip-hop band, The Beat Advocate. Their first EP includes their award-winning song, “The Other Side”.

In early 2011, Lily was offered an opportunity to audition for “The Voice” by a local industry professional who had heard her perform.  After an experience she’ll never forget, long weeks auditioning, working with the production and waiting on the announcements for artists who made the cut, she learned she was selected to compete in the blind auditions.  Lily performed her audition song, “Ain’t No Other Man” by Alicia Keys, to the backs of four chairs, on the second episode of The Voice which aired May 3 on NBC. A life long dream to perform for her idol, Christina Aguilera, was coming true.  Lily’s vocals impressed her idol, and although she wasn’t selected in the first audition round, “Xtina” as she is called by her fans, voiced her regrets. Lily was given a second chance after the coaches hadn’t filled up their teams and all the artists had auditioned.  In the last moments, without rehearsal, Lily selected her second chance song, and got the chair with her idol Xtina to turn around, choosing Lily for her team.  Christina smiled and said, “I got you! I got you back! Just come give me a hug. You know you’re mine, I know I’m yours. You got a second chance!”

“The Voice” has three phases, the blind auditions to select the teams, the battles to reduce the teams by half, and then live shows. Lily will battle her friend and country songstress Cherie Oakley on May 31, on NBC at 10pm.  Live performances start on June 7. To keep up with this talented Youth in Arts alum, visit her on her website join her on facebook and twitter.

Update: Lily was selected in the battle round and will be part of Christina’s team for the live performances, the next phase of the competition! Congratulations, Lily!

`Til Dawn Director Austin Willacy’s House Jacks’ just won 3 contemporary a cappella recording awards!

Best Pop/Rock Album

Winner: level by The House Jacks

Best Pop/Rock Song

Winner: “Red Dress”  on level by The House Jacks

Best Professional Original Song

Winner: Austin Willacy’s “You Were Everything” on level by House Jacks

Way to go Austin for continuing to give back to the community and our `Til Dawn Students! You can see `Til Dawn in action with the Marin Symphony on Sunday April 14 4pm.

Erin and a young friend

Erin Greenwell
College Student and `Til Dawn Alumna
Mentor Artist Austin Willacy, Music
Program: `Til Dawn

As a member of `Til Dawn, Youth in Arts teen a cappella group, Erin Greenwell was passionate about both her schoolwork and her singing. `Til Dawn Director Austin Willacy recalls Erin as “a very talented singer and a deeply grounded and compassionate young woman, highly attuned to the many faces of injustice.”

Through `Til Dawn, Erin participated in a series of quarterly retreats led by Mentor Artist Austin Willacy who directs the program. Many of `Til Dawn’s fans, who enjoy the group’s high energy performances around Marin, do not understand this youth development component of the program. As Austin explains:

I take the group on quarterly retreats each year to strengthen the interpersonal relationships in the group and encourage them to think about the world beyond the halls and walls of their high schools. On each of the retreats we focus on a different theme—the environment, identity, judgment, etc. It allows us the opportunity to connect deeply at a non-musical level.

While in ‘Til Dawn Erin co-organized peace festivals and fundraisers at which ‘Til Dawn and other artists (including Erin’s jazz combo) appeared. Says Austin, “To Erin, making the world a better place is something she does, not just something she talks about.”

After graduating from high school (and `Til Dawn) in 2008, Erin enrolled as a student in Sociology and Music at the University of Puget Sound, and is also a student with the prestigious School of International Training. She is currently in Gulu, Uganda, with the CBO Through Art Keep Smiling, researching how art and music can help abducted children and former child soldiers recover from trauma. She has written a song inspired by abducted children, and she plans to continue her studies in Africa and at home.

Photo by Erin Greenwell

Although not yet out of college, Erin has a strong sense that her art will play a continuing role in her future:

I still don’t know what my place in the world should be, but I know that being a part of ‘Til Dawn and learning from Austin will help me find it…I’m so drawn to the use of art and music in helping traumatized children. I’ve been thinking about my experiences in ‘Til Dawn and the power art wields. I know I’m grateful for Austin’s influence in my life and for holding us accountable for what we see in the world.

Photo by Erin Greenwell

Read about other young people whose lives have been changed by Youth in Arts programs