For Santa Claus' schedule, click here


Check back here later this year for the 2008
8th Annual Festival of Trees Entertainment Schedule

ABOUT OUR PERFORMERS

The East Longmeadow High School Chorus and Select Ensembles
This ensemble, under the direction of Carol Toth, includes students in grades nine through twelve. The ensemble studies a variety of repertoire from madrigals to musicals, doo-wop to pop. The chorus sings several performances throughout the year at the high school, as well as several outside community performances. (Return to top)

Carol Toth has been a choral conductor and public school educator for more than 10 years.  She is currently the high school choral director for East Longmeadow Public Schools. (Return to top)

Laurie Festa
Laurie N. Festa is a Springfield, Ma native and BWE recording artist/singer. She developed an interest in music at a very young age, singing along with records at age three. Her first piano teacher taught her much of the music theory and improvisational techniques that are now part of her life long work. She subsequently developed an interest in playing the guitar, teaching herself and learning from friends. She began singing in high school and later joined the choir at Holy Cross Church. She then pursued her musical education at Westfield State College, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Music. She majored in voice, with concentrations in theory/composition and music education. Laurie performs at club metings, special events, senior centers, nursing homes and retirement communities throughout western and central MA and CT. Her Christmas CD, "A Savior is Born, Spiritual Songs for Christmas" can be purchased on the internet at itunes.com or rhapsody and is also available at the BWE Studio in Springfield. (Return to top)

Kung Fu Academy
The Kung Fu Academy schools offer classes for ages three through adult. A ladies cardio kick class is also available. We have three locations: 551 East St., Chicopee - 594-2560; 869 Memorial Ave., W. Springfield - 746-1375 and 149 North Rd., E. Windsor, CT, 860-627-8764. We are very enthusiastic supporters of the Springfield Boys & Girls Club and have also sponsored a tree for the Festival of Trees for three years. (Return to top)

Jimmy Mazz
Jimmy Mazz began singing at the age of fourteen and joined a band with a group of friends. He made his debut as a lead singer at the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club. He later learned to play the guitar and performed with a number of local bands throughout the 80's and early 90’s. In 1993, he joined the wedding band "Breezin" and performed with them for eight years. During that time, Jimmy learned how to command an audience, structure a show, and how to really entertain people.

With digital technology so advanced, he then formed a "one-hit wonder band." He realized that by sequencing the basic music tracks, a full group of musicians and equipment was not required. Jimmy performed for smaller venues and began concentrating on a cocktail/dinner set for more mature guests. Based on the response and appreciation of that audience, the "Jimmy Mazz Rat Pack Style Solo Show" of standards and classics exploded with popularity.

With over 30 years of entertainment experience, Jimmy Mazz truly understands how to entertain an audience. His unique song selection and candid humor add a genuine warmth to every performance. Combined with his ability to sound like the original artists in many cases, his voice is rich and elegant. Jimmy performs the hits of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and many others. For more information on Jimmy, visit www.jmazzsings.com  (Return to top)

The Pioneer Valley Fiddlers
The Pioneer Valley Fiddlers is a fiddler’s club dedicated to the preservation and performance of traditional fiddle music. The club was formed in 1992 by Chris Keenan. We perform mainly in the northeast fiddle style, including Irish, Scottish, Canadian and other traditional music. We also do an occasional southern, Cajun or Texas style piece. Our members range in age from 4 - 70 years old. All ability levels are represented from beginner to advanced player. Our performance size varies depending on the type of venue. We have played with as few as four players for smaller settings (cocktail hours, weddings, open houses, and 20 players for large stage performances (The Summit House, The Big E, concerts in Western Mass and CT.) We also have musicians that play keyboard, accordion, mandolin, guitar, wash tub, washboard, and spoons. Most of the music we play is associated with early dance music, such as jigs, reels, two-steps, polkas, and waltzes. Someone who heard us described our playing as "happy music." If you don’t feel like jumping out of your chair to start dancing, we are not doing our job! (Return to top)

MaryAnn Studio of Dance
The MaryAnn Studio of Dance is very proud to be celebrating its’ 50th season this year under the ownership of Mary Ann Langone, Director. We have supported the Festival of Trees for the last five years by providing entertainment and also by sponsoring a tree. Our students range in age from toddler through adult. Through the years. the studio has had the pleasure of offering quality dance education to generations of dancers. Moms who danced as children are now bringing their own children to enjoy the thrill of dance. Students from the Mary Ann Studio of Dance are always eager to share the love and joy of dancing with others. (Return to top)

Sullivan School Band
The Sullivan School of Holyoke consists of instrumentalists in grades 4 - 8. Conductor, Steve Damon, gives weekly lessons on flute, oboe, clarinet, sax, trumpet and trombone. When students arrive at a certain achievement level, they are invited to join Band. Students performing at the Festival of Trees have shown extra effort to learn their solo music. (Return to top)

The Violin Students of Lani Bortfeld
The STEP Suzuki Strings, a multigenerational group of Suzuki string students from Greater Springfield and Northern Connecticut aged five to adult, will perform holiday music from the celebrations of Chanukah, Christmas, Yule-tide and Three Kings Day, along with seasonal music and fiddle tunes, at the Festival of Trees on Sunday Dec. 2 from 3-4 PM.

About the Suzuki Talent Education Partnership (STEP):
STEP was founded in September 2002 by Lani Bortfeld, with the help of students, parents and the Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, and is now an outreach program of Faith United Church. STEP is dedicated to furthering the principles and teachings of renowned Japanese music educator and humanitarian Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki believed that every child that could learn to speak could learn to play violin, dedicated his life to making instrumental study easier for children, and encouraged families to support their children in all educational efforts. It is STEP's vision that students of all backgrounds will thrive by experiencing the joy of making music together using Dr. Suzuki's teachings.

The STEP Suzuki program follows Dr. Suzuki’s model. Parents are expected to be active participants in their child’s learning and practices, come to lessons and group classes, and in the case of children aged 8 and younger, learn to play violin or viola alongside their children. The STEP parents’ group is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and holds fundraisers to bring Dr. Suzuki’s dream to low-income families in Greater Springfield and Northern Connecticut. We’re a small program with high standards and a big heart. Together we have fun, perform a wide range of music from around the world, and work hard to share our music with the community around us. Need-based financial aid is available. (Return to top)

Lani Bortfeld, director of the STEP Suzuki Strings, is a 25-year member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), and has presented at two of its national conferences. Ms. Bortfeld is also a member of the Waterbury (CT) Symphony Orchestra and first violinist with the Arcos/iris Quartet, a Springfield-based string quartet which is on the Education Roster of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. An active freelance musician, she is a member of Local 171 of the American Federation of Musicians, and performs in schools, houses of worship, arts festivals, care facilities, libraries and concert halls throughout New England. Ms. Bortfeld received an Artist Fellowship from the Springfield Cultural Council in 1999, and is an artist-teacher on the Creative Teaching Partners roster of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. (Return to top)

 

Festival runs from November 28th – December 14th, 2008
 

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