Mig’s musical career and stage show performances in London provided a perfect springboard into the CBS television series Rock Star INXS to be the new lead singer of INXS. Being one of the three finalists led to Mig being signed by Decca/Universal Music Group and his self-titled debut CD was released in the USA, Canada, Australia, Philippines and New Zealand in 2007.
In the final months of 2007 Mig returned to the stage as Galileo Figaro in the International Tour of “We Will Rock You”, successfully completing runs in New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong finishing in Bangkok in July 2008
Back in London Mig performed 2 more Queen Symphonic gigs and is in the midst of preparing to record his follow up CD.
Mig has commenced rehearsals in New York for Handel’s Messiah Rocks with new arrangements for orchestra, rock band, choir and soloists for this new take Handel’s Messiah, first performed in 1742. The single performance is scheduled for 21st September 2008 in Boston. The concert will be filmed and television.
On 11th October 2008 Mig will be in New Zealand to perform at the New Zealand Health Industry Awards & Benefit Gala Dinner 2008 to support the charity event fundraising for UNICEF – www.mig-music.com
Fiona Pears
New Zealand virtuoso violinist and composer Fiona Pears now London based, started performing as a soloist with orchestras at the age of 12 and has forged a career as an international soloist and recording artist.
Fiona has recently recorded her fourth CD, “Fire and Light,” which features the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra as well as her phenomenal New Zealand band. This CD showcases Fiona’s most beautiful, energetic and captivating compositions to date alongside her own interpretations of well-known pieces such as Khachaturian's, “Sabre Dance.” Fiona will also be making her first appearance on the silver screen performing one of the tracks from the new album in a UK independent feature film, which is due for release in 2009.
Fiona is extremely proud to be performing at the NZ Health Industry Awards and Benefit Gala. “It is wonderful that the awards are happening this year. It is an honour to be part of such a prestigious and important event. There are so many people working tirelessly in the health industry to make the world a better place. It is fantastic to see an event like this which acknowledges all these people and is also an evening of celebration which will benefit UNICEF.” Fiona is looking forward to this being her first performance after seven months abroad. Fiona’s last Auckland performance was at the Villa Maria winery earlier this year with Dave Dobbyn and Hayley Westenra.
Fiona will be embarking on a nationwide tour of New Zealand to promote the new CD during November 2008 and February 2009. (More details on the tour can be found on her website – www.fionapears.com
Caleb Bartolo
Caleb started dancing at the age of five and hasn’t stopped since then. He is just 16 years of age.
His major debut was on nationwide TV performing as a guest dancer in the grand finale of the Australian show “So You Think You Can Dance”.
On the night he was awarded The Optus New Talent Fund which consisted of a $10,000 scholarship to train in a 2 week intensive program at the Sydney Dance Company working with some of the most influential, renowned choreographers in the dancing world such as Kelley Abbey.
During the So You Think You Can Dance experience, Judge, Jason Coleman was extremely supportive and helpful. He offered Caleb a full time scholarship to his new school, 'Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance' which is the largest commercial dance school in the Southern Hemisphere.
Since then Caleb has been signed up with 'Energetiks' on a sponsorship proposal for 2009. This will include his image being used on their calendars, posters, price lists and light boxes. He will also be supplied with dance clothes for his time sponsored by the company.
Caleb will make his debut appearance in New Zealand at the New Zealand Health Industry Awards & Benefit Show 2008
Caitlin & Sika
Caitlin & Sika are international musicians from the South Island of New Zealand. Their music is an electrifying blend of indigenous and western music. They are truly unique performers and their spirit & energy appeals to audiences with a variety of musical tastes from world to folk to dance.
Caitlin plays piano, guitar and sings with inspiring, positive lyrics expressing love and uplifting melodies. Her voice is quite simply beautiful and sensitivity emanates from her piano. Born of Celtic ancestry, 12 string guitar provides a perfect expression for Caitlin's songs.
Sika is a world class didjeridoo player and also plays drums, percussion & flute. His charm and stage presence are highly entertaining and professional. He takes us on a rhythmic journey on several instruments played simultaneously - awesome and powerful!
Caitlin & Sika’s music spans many cultures by using a wide range of instruments that reflect their travels around the world. Powerful chants sung in the ancient language of Sanskrit …..East meets West with a spark of spirit and dance – www.caitlinsika.com
Sam Hammond
Sam Hammond is a young New Zealand world class drummer who started playing drums at the age of 11. His natural talent of rhythm and timing has been with Sam all his life and as a baby he used to make up beats on his high chair tray.
Sam performed his first solo Drum Clinic - Hands, Feet, Noise in December 2006, and a second solo clinic – Sound Explosion at Atwater’s Musicworks in Auckland 2007.
In his short career as a drummer and percussionist he has performed with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra in “Last Night of the Proms – Sounds of Scandinavia.” The Auckland Wind Orchestra at the NZ Concert in the Auckland 2006 Festival where they won 2 Gold Awards. He has also played at the Dogs Bollix a famous Auckland Irish Pub.
Some would say Sam was born to perform as he shines on stage behind his tools of trade a 7 piece drum kit. Sam is now working towards his goal of attending the Berkeley College of Music in Boston, USA.
James MacKay
James has been performing for 16 years in musical theatre shows in Wellington, Auckland and also overseas. He has played many roles in theatre productions such as Jekyll and Hyde in Jekyll and Hyde the musical, Danny Zuko in Grease, Jean Val Jean in Les Miserable and most recently Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Max Bialystock in the Mel Brooks comedy The Producers.
James also fronts a Rock covers band that plays corporate and pub gigs.
