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About Brian Chevalier
 Since studying Classical guitar at Keene State College in Keene, NH, Brian Chevalier has worked extensively as a performer in the northeastern and southeastern United States and as a Teaching Artist throughout the Northeast. He has been on the same bill as groups and performers such as Otis Day And The Knghts, NRBQ, Darrell Hammond, Gilbert Gottfried, Collective Soul, Mario Cantone, The Drifters, The Platters and The Coasters. He offers in-school performances, workshops , residencies and enrichment programs that address the New York State Learning Standards in a creative and innovative way.
Brian first received his training as a Teaching Artist through the Albany/Schenectady League of Arts apprenticeship program. Since then he has been working for The Capitol Region Center for Arts in Education where he received his initial training and has received on-going professional development in workshops and seminars with facilitators from The Lincoln Center Institute and other professional teaching organizations. He has been trained in the Lincoln Center approach to Aesthetic Education. Brian facilitates workshops for the Capital Region Center For Arts In Education. He also recently completed a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts for which he has composed a collection of songs that address the history and folklore of the Adirondacks. In addition to his ongoing work in the schools he is working on several grants that are assisting him in developing new programs that will be available for next year.
About Rich Ortiz
(Performs with Brian Chevalier in the Celebrate Nutrition Program)
 Rich Ortiz had no choice but to become a musical performer. Rich is a fourth generation entertainer of a family of entertainers. Music definitely runs through his veins, down to the very depths of his soul. Rich believes he is the product of his family's cultural diversity and strength, but his style is truly his own. Born in Bergen County, New Jersey, he got his start singing, acting, and dancing at the age of three. As a child, Rich performed in Off-Broadway plays, commercials, and dance competitions. For the past ten years, Rich has been living in upstate New York, focusing all his talents and time on his acoustic solo act. Rich plays guitar, harmonica, and pedal bass with his feet, and turns heads with his vocals! His music is best described as funk folk pop.
Rich Ortiz's influences are James Taylor, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Bill Withers and Jeff Buckley. He was a regional finalist on season five of usa networks show Nashville Star chosen out of 20,000 people! He has opened shows for Ludacris, Hoobastank, Simple Plan, Elephant Man, Tea Leaf Green, Kracker, Merl Saunders, Melvin Seals, Jim Wieder, the Drifters and the wood brothers . He has also played private parties for Tom Cruise and New York's Governor Pataki. He has won the hearts of many, playing everywhere from Upstate New York, to Killington, Vermont, to Cape Cod and all the way down to Marco Island, Florida. He currently plays in New York's West Village at the world famous Red Lion every Sunday. Rich is getting ready to release his first album, the album will feature live, unedited studio recordings of all original works. As his passion for life grows stronger, so does the energy in his music. Rich is a truly rare, authentic talent.
For more information or to book Brian for your next school program or event contact Brian directly online or at 518-798-2030 today! |
