THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS – LIVE
PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES

A 20-year-old jazz vocalist from Fort Worth, Texas, Tatiana Mayfield is working toward her degree in Vocal Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, where she is a member of the famous Jazz Singers I ensemble. She also is the lead vocalist for “Intonation,” which she co-founded. Mayfield, who received a National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) Award for Jazz Voice in 2006, performed in the “Jazz by the Boulevard” festival in Fort Worth in 2007 and on the television show, “Showtime at the Apollo” in 2004. www.myspace.com/tatianasjazzymusic

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Brittany Santo’s family first realized she could sing at age 11, when she was given a solo performance in a school choir show. A veteran of several musical theatre productions, the 18-year-old has been training with Septien Entertainment Group since 2004 and was accepted into its Master program two years ago. She also is a member of the traveling “Tribute to America” tour that has performed for military troops as well as the New York Fire Department. Upon graduation from high school, she will relocate to Houston to pursue her music education and begin recording her first major release. Brittany’s plans also include working in marketing to promote The Gift of Christmas and other shows. The versatile Santo considers herself a crossover pop/country singer who also loves to sing Christian music.  www.myspace.com/brittanypaigemusic

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“Refreshing” is how American Idol judge Paula Abdul described Rickey Hayes’ rendition of the Bonnie Raitt hit, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” which he performed during his audition in Austin. Tough-as-nails AI judge Simon Cowell said Hayes “has the nicest voice I’ve heard so far,” and also lauded him for his distinctness as a singer. With a unanimous “yes” from all three judges, Hayes earned a golden ticket to Hollywood, where he made it through five rounds of American Idol's Season Five. A music major at Texas A&M Commerce, Hayes hails from Bedford, Texas. www.myspace.com/rdh0120

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Born in England, Melissa McMillan began her singing career while growing up in Albuquerque and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, also participating in the Texas All-State Choir for two years. The 21-year-old is studying jazz at the University of North Texas, where she performs with the UNT Zebras, a contemporary ensemble, as well as the Jazz Repertory Ensemble, Jazz Singers and various other small groups at the school. McMillan also is a member of the Groove Academy, a successful pop cover band that performs throughout the Metroplex. www.myspace.com/melissamcmillanmusic

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Nominated for the 2008 Horizon Vocalist of the Year award, Christian recording artist April Driggers has been performing for 21 years, since the age of 7. Her debut gospel album, Where I Am, was released in 2007, and she is currently promoting the album at various church and community events. A native Texan, Driggers attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and performed with the college show choir, The Chorvettes. A Fort Worth resident, she and her husband are the parents of three daughters. www.myspace.com/aprildriggers1

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Only 13 years old, Jordan Gonsalves is a phenomenal singer and entertainer who already has performed in several theatre productions, including Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Carol and The Wizard of Oz. Dubbed the “Chairkid of the Board” by his fellow The Gift of Christmas performers, Gonsalves was nominated for Best Child Actor at the Fort Bend Theatre. Trained in singing, acting, modeling and dance, the honor roll student and student council member also performs with “Password,” Houston’s premier party band. www.youtube.com/Jordan00008

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With his father in the country music business, Tyler Hammond naturally gravitated to the genre. While growing up in a small town in Kansas, he performed in church pageants, corporate and social functions, high school plays and musicals such as South Pacific and West Side Story. After his mother died when Hammond was a teenager, he moved to Dallas and began signing with his father’s band. The 21-year-old started playing the guitar and writing songs a couple of years ago, and he says his ultimate goal is to finish college and to make it to the top of the country music charts.www.myspace.com/tylerhammondb3s

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A 10th grader in Houston, singer/dancer Morgan MacInnes has performed in main stage productions of Gypsy and Scrooge, as well as in class and school shows that include Cinderella, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Thoroughly Modern Millie and High School Musical. Trained in dance, voice and acting, MacInnes attends the Masquerade Tribble School of Professional Musical Theatre and also has received training at the Houston Grand Opera.

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Fifteen-year-old Luke Hamilton is an accomplished singer and dancer who has performed in main stage productions such as Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, The Nutcracker and The Sound of Music. A high school student in Friendswood, Texas, Hamilton trains at the Masquerade Tribble School of Professional Musical Theatre. He and fellow The Gift of Christmas performer Morgan MacInnes have been dancing together for five years, studying under the same dance teacher who will be choreographing their parts in the show. 

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