Performing Artists of New York's Dîner en Blanc 2014
Once again Diner en Blanc New York 2014 was a huge success and we owe a huge thank you to our entertainers and performers who helped set the tone for our great time.
Sarina Suno AKA The “Violin Diva” http://www.sarinasuno.com/
Violinist/Composer
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The international electric violin sensation Sarina Suno (aka the “Violin Diva”) belts melodic wonders with the pluck of strings and the draw of a bow. The Berklee College of Music Summa Cum Laude graduate combined classic training with a love of EDM, House, Hip-Hip, Jazz, Latin, and Pop, and in the process pioneered a sound all her own.
Signed by Victor Entertainment, one of the largest major labels in Japan, under Sony Music management, this fiddler has toured her native Japan, released three CDs, and has graced national radio stations, talk shows and TV programs.
Since her move to the Big Apple in 2007, the Violin Diva has performed in some of the city’s most coveted concert venues, such as Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Roseland Ballroom, Cipriani and Highline Ballroom...along with exclusive nightclubs such as Pacha, Marquee, Lavo, Nikki Beach and 1Oak... to name but a few.
Sarina has also ventured throughout the country, from New York to Las Vegas, and Miami to Houston. And she’s played the global scene in over 15 countries, from San Juan to St Maarten. Istanbul to Milan, with multiple stops in between; performing alongside marquee names like DJ Jonathan Peters, apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas, rapper FloRida, and actress/singer Milla Jovovich.
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DJ : Alex Ortega http://www.djalexortega.com
DJ, Producer
Alex Ortega started his career in Paris in 2001. Largely influenced by the sound of House music from a young age, His DJ sets are characterized by an energetic Electro-House and melodious Progressive-House sound.
In 2004, he participated in the Fun DJ Tour, a tour of French beaches produced by the French radio station Fun Radio. In 2007, Alex played at the world famous “Queen Club Paris” on the Champs Elysées—a turning point in his career. In addition, he has been playing in the most renowned clubs of Paris like the Redlight, Duplex, Bus Palladium, Chez Régine, and more; and has extended his range all over France. Alex is also the creator of the popular podcast “Clubbing From Paris” which is available for free download every month.
In September 2012 Alex moved to New York City, to sample the American club scene. He has already played in famous New York clubs like Lavo, Marquee, The VIP Room, PH-D, EVR, Le Baron, etc. He has also played in Miami during the Winter Music Conference. This is just the beginning of his US adventure.
Francis Jocky http://www.francisjocky.com/
Vocalist
Multitalented singer, songwriter, & producer Francis Jocky is something of an enigma, an artist with universal appeal and blessed with a unique voice. Raised in Paris, France and now living in New York City, Francis Jocky has developed a sound that transcends borders. He is rapidly becoming an international personality, sharing the microphone with the likes of Bono of U2 and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. Over the years, he has and continues to participate in high profile concerts.
Francis Jocky has a wonderful duality as an artist, which probably has its roots in his combined educational and musical training. He is the recipient of a Ph.D. in International Relations from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, France, combined with being a critically acclaimed musician and artist.
Julie-Anne Hamula, http://www.juliehamula.com
Soprano Vocalist
Praised as a “Lovely lyric soprano” (Musical America) whose “astonishing performance, brilliant soprano and thrilling embellishments were augmented by the most subtle and heart-rending acting” (vocedimeche). She has most recently been heard as Gilda in Rigoletto with North Shore Music Festival, Violetta in La Traviata with the North Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, and Berenice in L'occasione fa il ladro with Little Opera Theatre of NY. Other performances include Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Opera Naples, Rose-Marie with Light Opera of New York, Tormentilla in The Poisoned Kiss with Bronx Opera, Magnolia Hawks (Showboat) with Opera Naples, Fiordiligi (Cosí fan tutte), Antonia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), Adina (L'elisir d'amore), and Gilda (Rigoletto) with Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY. She is the Grand Prize Winner of the Jenny Lind Competition, Connecticut Concert Opera Competition, The Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Competition, 2nd place winner of the Kosciuszko Foundation's Sembrich Competition, 2nd place winner of the NFMC Biennial Young Artist Awards, and a grant winner from CareerBridges Foundation.
Erika Hennings http://erikahennings.com/.jpg)
Mezzo Soprano Vocalist
Erika Hennings has been singing in New York City since 2005 and has recently stretched out her wings and started to perform around the world. She enjoyed singing at Le Dîner en Blanc in Paris in June, 2014 and recently sang with much success in Pittsburgh and Boston.
Recently the New York Times described her as a "creamy mezzo" for her role as Camillo in the North American premiere of Donizetti's Olivo e Pasquale. She was also admired as "ideally stylish and playful" for her Encompass Opera performance in which she played Ellen in Rorem's Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters. Other roles she has performed include Komponist, Cherubino, both 2nd and 3rd Lady, Mercedes, and Hansel.
She enjoys singing contemporary opera along with classical opera and is always ready to participate in fun, pop-up events.
Dread King (Cheikh Mbaye).jpg)
Percussionist
Born in Senegal, West Africa and grew up in New York City. His real name is Cheikh Mbaye but would later come to be
known in the industry as Dread King. Dread King broke into the entertainment business in 2000 as a live percussionist and
has played for some of the most well-known DJ's in the industry (Tiësto, ,Diplo) at some of trendiest clubs in New York City (Pink Elephant ,Pangea, Bagatelle, Marquees, Lavo). His talent is not just admired and appreciated in the clubs but he frequently performs at bachelor parties, sweet sixteen parties and weddings that span across all 5 boroughs of Manhattan.
Sarina Suno AKA The “Violin Diva” http://www.sarinasuno.com/
Violinist/Composer
The international electric violin sensation Sarina Suno (aka the “Violin Diva”) belts melodic wonders with the pluck of strings and the draw of a bow. The Berklee College of Music Summa Cum Laude graduate combined classic training with a love of EDM, House, Hip-Hip, Jazz, Latin, and Pop, and in the process pioneered a sound all her own.
Signed by Victor Entertainment, one of the largest major labels in Japan, under Sony Music management, this fiddler has toured her native Japan, released three CDs, and has graced national radio stations, talk shows and TV programs.
Since her move to the Big Apple in 2007, the Violin Diva has performed in some of the city’s most coveted concert venues, such as Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Roseland Ballroom, Cipriani and Highline Ballroom...along with exclusive nightclubs such as Pacha, Marquee, Lavo, Nikki Beach and 1Oak... to name but a few.
Sarina has also ventured throughout the country, from New York to Las Vegas, and Miami to Houston. And she’s played the global scene in over 15 countries, from San Juan to St Maarten. Istanbul to Milan, with multiple stops in between; performing alongside marquee names like DJ Jonathan Peters, apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas, rapper FloRida, and actress/singer Milla Jovovich.
DJ : Alex Ortega http://www.djalexortega.comDJ, Producer
Alex Ortega started his career in Paris in 2001. Largely influenced by the sound of House music from a young age, His DJ sets are characterized by an energetic Electro-House and melodious Progressive-House sound.
In 2004, he participated in the Fun DJ Tour, a tour of French beaches produced by the French radio station Fun Radio. In 2007, Alex played at the world famous “Queen Club Paris” on the Champs Elysées—a turning point in his career. In addition, he has been playing in the most renowned clubs of Paris like the Redlight, Duplex, Bus Palladium, Chez Régine, and more; and has extended his range all over France. Alex is also the creator of the popular podcast “Clubbing From Paris” which is available for free download every month.
In September 2012 Alex moved to New York City, to sample the American club scene. He has already played in famous New York clubs like Lavo, Marquee, The VIP Room, PH-D, EVR, Le Baron, etc. He has also played in Miami during the Winter Music Conference. This is just the beginning of his US adventure.
Francis Jocky http://www.francisjocky.com/
Vocalist
Multitalented singer, songwriter, & producer Francis Jocky is something of an enigma, an artist with universal appeal and blessed with a unique voice. Raised in Paris, France and now living in New York City, Francis Jocky has developed a sound that transcends borders. He is rapidly becoming an international personality, sharing the microphone with the likes of Bono of U2 and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. Over the years, he has and continues to participate in high profile concerts.
Francis Jocky has a wonderful duality as an artist, which probably has its roots in his combined educational and musical training. He is the recipient of a Ph.D. in International Relations from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, France, combined with being a critically acclaimed musician and artist.
Julie-Anne Hamula, http://www.juliehamula.comSoprano Vocalist
Praised as a “Lovely lyric soprano” (Musical America) whose “astonishing performance, brilliant soprano and thrilling embellishments were augmented by the most subtle and heart-rending acting” (vocedimeche). She has most recently been heard as Gilda in Rigoletto with North Shore Music Festival, Violetta in La Traviata with the North Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, and Berenice in L'occasione fa il ladro with Little Opera Theatre of NY. Other performances include Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Opera Naples, Rose-Marie with Light Opera of New York, Tormentilla in The Poisoned Kiss with Bronx Opera, Magnolia Hawks (Showboat) with Opera Naples, Fiordiligi (Cosí fan tutte), Antonia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), Adina (L'elisir d'amore), and Gilda (Rigoletto) with Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY. She is the Grand Prize Winner of the Jenny Lind Competition, Connecticut Concert Opera Competition, The Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Competition, 2nd place winner of the Kosciuszko Foundation's Sembrich Competition, 2nd place winner of the NFMC Biennial Young Artist Awards, and a grant winner from CareerBridges Foundation.
Erika Hennings http://erikahennings.com/
Mezzo Soprano Vocalist
Erika Hennings has been singing in New York City since 2005 and has recently stretched out her wings and started to perform around the world. She enjoyed singing at Le Dîner en Blanc in Paris in June, 2014 and recently sang with much success in Pittsburgh and Boston.
Recently the New York Times described her as a "creamy mezzo" for her role as Camillo in the North American premiere of Donizetti's Olivo e Pasquale. She was also admired as "ideally stylish and playful" for her Encompass Opera performance in which she played Ellen in Rorem's Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters. Other roles she has performed include Komponist, Cherubino, both 2nd and 3rd Lady, Mercedes, and Hansel.
She enjoys singing contemporary opera along with classical opera and is always ready to participate in fun, pop-up events.
Dread King (Cheikh Mbaye)
Born in Senegal, West Africa and grew up in New York City. His real name is Cheikh Mbaye but would later come to be
known in the industry as Dread King. Dread King broke into the entertainment business in 2000 as a live percussionist and
has played for some of the most well-known DJ's in the industry (Tiësto, ,Diplo) at some of trendiest clubs in New York City (Pink Elephant ,Pangea, Bagatelle, Marquees, Lavo). His talent is not just admired and appreciated in the clubs but he frequently performs at bachelor parties, sweet sixteen parties and weddings that span across all 5 boroughs of Manhattan.
