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January 14, 2023
The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning: tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. In their epic shows The Doo Wop Project takes audiences on a journey featuring foundational tunes from the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to DooWopified versions of modern hits from Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and Sam Smith.
Featuring stars from the Broadway hits Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, and A Bronx Tale, The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate—and in some cases entirely reimagine—the greatest music in American pop and rock history.
Dominic Nolfi most recently performed on Broadway in Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale - The Musical, directed by Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks. As an Original Cast member of A Bronx Tale - The Musical, Motown: The Musical (Grammy nominated) and Jersey Boys (Grammy Award for Best Cast Album), he can be heard on all three soundtracks. Dominic also performed in the World Premiere productions of A Bronx Tale and Jersey Boys at the Paper Mill Playhouse and the La Jolla Playhouse. Dom was born and raised in San Francisco where he studied youth acting at the acclaimed American Conservatory Theatre. He studied Voice at the San Francisco Conservatory and attended the Boston Conservatory on scholarship where he graduated with a BFA in Theater. Upon graduation Dominic joined the European production of Grease. It was there that he met his future wife Sonia Iannetti; they have a daughter Vivienne. Dominic is a founding member of The Doo Wop Project and is unbelievably
proud of his association with the other men who helped create the group.
Charl was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as “Smokey Robinson” in Motown: The Musical; he reprised this role opening London’s West End production in 2015. He is also featured on the Grammy Nominated Original Broadway Cast recording. In 2014 Charl was honored to work with Stephen Schwartz playing the role of Adam/Noah in Children of Eden in Concert at the Kennedy Center. And last year returned to Kennedy Center in The Who’s Tommy. Other Credits include; Jersey Boys on Broadway and Las Vegas (Hal Miller) Sister Act Broadway (Officer Eddie Souther, TJ, Pablo U/S, Ensemble) Hair (Hud) European Tour, The Who’s Tommy (Captain Walker) Denver Center, Ever After (Captain Laurent) Papermill Playhouse, Johnny Baseball (Tim Wyatt) ART, Dreamgirls (Curtis Taylor Jr.) SDMT, Ragtime (Coalhouse) Performance Riverside, Six Degrees of Separation (Paul) Long Beach Playhouse, JC Superstar (Judas) Music at Westwood Theater, A Chorus Line (Richie) Starlight Theater, Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes (Lando Calrissian) Edinburgh Fringe Festival. TV: Evil; Madam Secretary; Americaʼs Got Talent (US & UK); Macyʼs 85th & 87th Thanksgiving Day Parade, The 63rd Annual Tony Awards, A Capitol 4th 2013. Charl is a proud Graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts where he currently sits on the advisory board for the inaugural BFA in Musical Theater Class.
Dwayne (The Bass) is from Florence, SC and currently lives in New York City. He first began singing with a Christian a cappella group called “The Cunningham Singers”. Often referred to as a modern
day Sammy Davis Jr. meets Barry White, he is what the industry calls a “triple threat” and has performed in the Broadway casts of Motown: The Musical and Hairspray, the Off Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Café, and several national tours including Showboat. As a songwriter and producer, his songs have appeared on the Billboard’s Top Ten Dance chart. Dwayne’s film and television credits include Law & Order, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Difficult People and RuPaulʼs Drag Race.
Russell was cast in the Broadway company of Jersey Boys on his 22nd birthday, marking his Broadway debut. Fischer starred in the second national tour of Big: The Musical. His latest NYC credit was in Baby Fat, Act 1: A Rock Opera at LaMama Experimental Theater Club. Regional credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Music Man at Chautauqua Opera, the American premiere of Children of Eden at Papermill Playhouse and most recently, the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival premiere of The Collins Boy. Fischer was a featured vocalist on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and in the HBO documentary, The Bronx, USA. He has appeared on the live broadcasts of the 2015 Belmont Stakes, the 2009 Tony Awards, and several spots for TV Land’s 60 Second Sitcoms. He enjoys sharing Doo-Wop music with audiences around the world.
John Michael Dias recently appeared on Broadway as Neil Sedaka in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. He originated same the role for the Beautiful First National Tour. Dias gained a nationwide following starring as Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons in the smash hit Jersey Boys, playing the role on Broadway, as well as in the First National Tour, Vegas, and Chicago companies. Concerts: Breaking
Up Is Hard to Do: Neil Sedakaʼs Greatest Hits!. He can also be seen singing special appearances with the vocal group The Doo-Wop Project. Dias’ solo album, Write This Way, which features intimate takes on Broadway and pop favorites like “Can’t Take My Eyes of of You” and “New York State of Mind” is available on iTunes. Dias earned a BFA in musical theatre from Boston Conservatory.
Most recently served as Music Director, vocal/dance and incidental music arranger and orchestrator for the Broadway musical Gettin’ The Band Back Together, and for the off-Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Café. Other recent credits: Music Supervisor for the Broadway Musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Arrangements and orchestrations for The Indianapolis, Baltimore, Vancouver, Detroit and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestras and The Philly Pops. Associate Conductor for The Last Ship (written by 16-time Grammy Award winner, Sting), and the Tony winning best revival, Pippin Other Broadway credits as a musician, Jesus Christ Superstar; Billy Elliot; Grease; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; Guys and Dolls; Mama Mia; Promises, Promises; Addams Family; Women on the Verge. Music Supervisor for Disney’s High School Musical (Milan/Italy tour.) 1st National Tours: Disney’s High School Musical; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Grease. As a composer: The Return of the Blue Cat (with poet F.D. Reeve.) TV: Disney’s Encore!, The X-Factor (Australia), The Next Big Thing Sonny holds a B.F.A. in Jazz Piano from CUNY City College.
Grade 12, West Morris Central High School; Chester; Nominated by Mark Stingle
A member of the Mixed Choir, the Concert Choir, leader of the student-led a cappella group, The Noteworthys, Gavin excels in all things choral. Gavin is also an accomplished stage singer with lead roles for two of his four years in Central Theatre. Gavin has been an outstanding representative for West Morris Central in everything from Morris Area to Region I (Northern NJ) to All-State and All-Eastern, where he will perform in April 2023. Gavin is a strong singer with a passion for a cappella and choral music, and he performs with conviction and dedication every time he goes on stage. Gavin intends to continue singing in college, in whatever way he can.
Grade 7, Rockaway Valley School; Boonton; Nominated by Sara Bartel
Nina is a talented vocal musician. She works hard on improving her voice and testing herself to come out of her comfort zone. She is always eager to learn more and improve as a vocalist and performer. She has been an active member of the school musicals and played a major role in last yearʼs show. She has been a member of the Upper-Grade chorus for two years and has performed many solos within the group, as well as sang an a cappella solo for our annual Veterans Day Concert.
Grade 12, Morris Hills High School; Rockaway; Nominated by Michelle Uhler
Audrey is a super dedicated choir member and has been a member of the curricular choir class, as well as the after school a cappella groups for all four years of high school. She also was accepted into the NJ All-State Choir, the ACDA National Honor Choir, and the NAfME All-Eastern Mixed Choir this year! Audrey serves as my choir president does everything she can to ensure the success of the program. She is also an academy study at Morris Hills so she has a very vigorous educational program of studies she keeps up with in addition to all of her musical accolades.
Avantika Lakshman
Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School; Parsippany; Nominated by Danielle Hazel Avantika is an excellent singer and an outstanding leader in our choir. She has shown her talents by leading the national anthem during pep rallies and as the lead in our upcoming musical Cinderella. She comes to class prepared to sing and is always willing to help any member of her section. Avantika will always own up to her mistakes and do her best to learn from them. I am very lucky to get to hear Avantika sing daily and am so grateful to have her as part of my choir.
Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Randolph; Nominated by Ann Kelly Since moving to Randolph last year, Aleena has found a lot of joy in the RMS music program. Aleena has had a passion for singing since she was a small girl. She has sung and performed in various school musicals and concerts every year since grade two. She has also taken private vocal lessons since childhood. Recently, Aleena has performed in many choir concerts--her favorite being the NJSMA Regions Choir, where she was challenged with various difficult and interesting songs. Her favorite time of any concert is when she gets to sing a solo part-- she loves the feeling of being in the spotlight. Aleena is currently in the RMS Choir program, in RMS’s select vocal ensemble Canzonetta, and has been selected for Morris Area Honors Choir. In the future, she aspires to join the Randolph
The 2022-2023 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.
High School Choir, Chamber Choir, and A Cappella Choir. She expresses gratitude towards RMS’s Choir Director, Mrs. Ann Kelly, for guiding her through her journey. Mrs. Kelly has given Aleena many great opportunities to sing and perform and is a true inspiration to Aleena.
Kassandra
Grade 12, Dover High School; Dover; Nominated by John Hoferer Kassandra exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated student. Throughout these past four years, I have seen the emergence of a highly motivated, assertive, mature, and compassionate student who excels at every aspect of her education. She participates in all vocal music ensembles at Dover High School, including the musical, and always strives to get better. In my years of teaching, Kassandra has emerged as one of the premier students at Dover High School.
Grade 7, Central Middle School; Parsippany; Nominated by Adam Aguanno Sophia is an excellent and confident vocalist. She brings enthusiasm, positivity, and musical talent to Central Middle Schoolʼs choral program. Sheʼs always happy and willing to participate in various ways both as an individual and apart of a team. She was Jasmine in our production of Aladdin Jr. last year, and this year is Rafiki in our production of The Lion King Jr. Sheʼs also had solo opportunities for concerts. Additionally she has helped liven up our music by playing drum set for songs for our concert.
Grade 8, Harding Township School; New Vernon; Nominated by Rachael Gareau
Steven is an incredibly hard-working and talented young singer. He was a new student at our school last year, coming in with previous singing experience. In our spring musical production of Wizard of Oz, he played the Scarecrow. He recently was the role of Sonny in a community theater production of Xanadu, and will be playing a leading role in this yearʼs musical, Newsies, Jr. He is a strong member of our middle school chorus; often a leader in both behavior and talent.
Sam Siebold
Grade 8, Frelinghuysen Middle School; Morristown; Nominated by Gillain Erlenborn
Sam is a member of my 8th grade choir and my after school select choir. In both ensembles, Sam is a fierce leader of her peers. She devotes an extraordinary amount of time and talent outside of school to ensure that she is prepared for her rehearsals at school. One example of this was shown during our preparations for our winter concert. I told the students that the piece “DiraitOn” by Morten Lauridsen was a huge challenge and would require work far surpassing what I would expect from a middle school ensemble. Sam was very vocal in rehearsal that she wanted the group to take on the challenge. Sure enough, Sam returned to our next rehearsal with the piece completely memorized. She then helped lead sectionals to help the rest of the ensemble tackle the piece. Sam is also a budding song writer. She accompanies herself on guitar and plays beautifully. I consider myself blessed every time Sam offers to show me some of her work. It is really fantastic. I am so excited to see where Sam ends up in her musical journey.
Grade 11, West Morris Central High School; Chester; Nominated by Mark Stingle
Sophia Passaro is one of the strongest and most involved students at West Morris Central High School. A member of the Mixed Choir for three years, the Treble Chorus and Concert Choir for one year, and the student-led treble a cappella group, The Loreleis, for three years (with two years as the groupʼs co-leader), Sophia is involved in every group possible in our school. She has also taken part in three musicals, as a featured singer in two, and as a lead this year. Outside of school, she has been a member of the Rock-n-Roll Chorus, and she has auditioned into Morris Area Honor Choir, Region I Choir and New Jersey All-State Choir. This year, she has also been accepted into the prestigious NAfME All-Eastern Choir that will perform in Rochester, NY in April 2023. Sophia is an outstanding vocalist, actress and leader (she is my Choir President as a junior) and exhibits all of the requisite qualities of any excellent performer: diligence, hard work, attention to detail, and most notably, talent.