LIAM MORONEY – Guitar, Vocals, Bass
Liam has been a songwriter and performer for over 15 years. He has performed in several bands such as Gretna Greene, Shoemakers Guild and The Buttons with Little Rockers founder, Chris, and has contributed songs to all 4 Little Rockers class collection CDs. He is currently an instructor and band coach at the Marlboro School of Rock and the inspiration for the latest expression “More Liam!”
KELLY BIRD – Vocals, Keys, Guitar
Kelly has been performing, directing, and teaching in the theatre arts for the past 15 years. She holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Monmouth University and studied drama at The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. She is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and has performed all over the tri-state area for children K-12 in educational productions based on American history with Pushcart Players. Currently Kelly is the Executive Producer of the Holmdel Theatre Company and directs their yearly musicals. She also teaches private acting and voice lessons. Kelly’s favorite role is currently “Aunt Kelly” to her 5 year old niece and 4 year old nephew, who are Tot-Rock vets, themselves.
Evan de Augustinis -
I grew up in a very musical family and started playing guitar & singing at a very young age. I’ve played many different styles and venues ranging from churches to NYC halls. Performing music is something that I am very passionate about and I always give it my all. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people smile and enjoy themselves from a great performance.
Your Nickname: Ev, Evan
Birthday:
Any Pets?: 1 dog
Instruments you rock: Guitar, vocals
Favorite band/artist: David Bowie
celebrity you look like: Some people tell me I look like Bob Dylan haha
Favorite movie & tv show: A Bronx Tale / Seinfeld
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite snack food: Cannoli!
A funny moment or story from class… hmmm I thought it was really funny when one of the kids brought one of their toys to class and kept trying to give it to me while I was playing guitar haha.
Alexa Pantaleo
I’m 18 years old and I’m from Freehold New Jersey. I’ve been singing for the past 10 years and I could never imagine dedicating myself to anything else. I love to share my voice whenever I get the chance whether it’s somewhere local or hours away. I have sung for Hurricane Sandy benefits and raised an amazing amount of money. I also sang the national anthem for the Blue Claws! However my biggest accomplishment was over the summer I was so blessed to have made it to the blind auditions of The Voice! I’m always trying out for new things so maybe one day my hard work will pay off! Little Rockers is the best job I could ask for. I get to sing all day and play with the cutest kids! It has brought me out of my shell and taught me, that no matter what age you are, that fun loving kid will always be inside you! I’m so thankful to be on the team with Little Rockers!
Your Nickname: lex or Lexi
Birthday: June 29
Any Pets?: I have two cats a bird and I had a wonderful dog named Holly who passed away last year, she meant the world to me and will always have a special place in my heart.
Instruments you rock: just my voice!
Favorite band/artist: Adele, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, and Rihanna.
Favorite movie & tv show: my favorite movie would either be The Lovely Bones, or Savages. My favorite tv show is secretly Spongebob… But I love all of the singing shows!
Celebrity you look like: everywhere I go people tell me I look like Penelope Cruz.
Favorite color: Pink and purple.
Favorite snack food: I’m quite a healthy eater, so my favorite snack would probably be a banana or apple with peanut butter.
A funny moment or story from class?
A funny story from class was probably when one of the little girls was so sad that Liam wasn’t there, that she actually had to leave class!! It’s crazy how attached kids get to their teachers!
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Erica Villani
Erica is a singer, actress, and musician creating and playing in NYC. A BFA Musical Theatre graduate from Pace University, she has performed both Off-Broadway and regionally in Theatre, done various Film/TV work, and jumps at any opportunity to whip out her main instrument of 14 years, the flute. Her passion for both the arts and her love of children brought her to Little Rockers, and it continues to be such a joy and inspiration in her artistic endeavors!
Your Nickname: Erica
Birthday: July 13
Any Pets?: No
Instruments you rock: Flute, Guitar, Voice, Piano
Favorite band/artist: The Script, Bruno Mars, Jessie J
Favorite movie & tv show: Centerstage, Hocus Pocus
Celebrity you look like: Marissa Tomei, Rachel Leigh Cook
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite snack food: kale chips
A funny moment or story from class? The other day our whole class was really starting to feel the love, and throughout the entire class, Ava kept finding herself in hugging situations with different kids throughout the class. My favorite was watching her and 4 month old Olivia falling over each other in a hug and Olivia getting so excited she just kept her arms spread out to get Ava to come back for more. So cute!!
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Samantha Cantaffa
Hello Hey! I am most passionate about singing and theater. I started singing when I was only 3 years old. That was when I was in my first show! I have been a part of many community theater, children’s theater and school productions of musicals since then. I am currently studying to be an elementary school teacher while continuing to be involved with music as much as I can.
My Nickname: Sam or Sammi
Birthday: June 14
Any Pets?: A Puppy named Louie and a Puppy named Max
Instruments you rock: The Microphone!
Favorite band/ artist: The Beatles and Frank Sinatra
Favorite movie & TV show: Finding Nemo and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Celebrity I look like: No idea!
Favorite color: Pink!
Favorite snack food: Oreos
A funny moment or story from class: One time I forgot to sing my own name in the Hello Hey song!
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Karen Mansfield
Karen Mansfield is a singer songwriter who broke into the Jersey Shore music scene back in the 80′s as the founder and front person of the zany acoustic punk band The Bleeding Knees. She gained additional popularity when she was asked to add vocals to the Whirling Dervishes ’92 album “Strange and Wonderful”; performing solo as their opening act and joining the band on stage for most of their New Jersey shows. She is a nine time nominated, 3 time winner of the Asbury Music Awards in the category of Solo Acoustic Female. In 2008 Karen founded Willow Bella Music, as a freelance music educator. She presently teaches guitar, piano and is a much sought after vocal coach. She also facilitates a hand drum workshop in Red Bank called Drums, Drumming and Drum Circles with world class drummer and instructor David Halpern. She hosts family friendly Drum Circles quarterly and brings music and movement programs to the mentally disabled. Please visit her music education website at www.willowbellamusic.com. Karen received a BA in Music from Rutgers University in 2009. She is currently completing a long awaited EP of her original material and plans to perform regularly upon it’s release. you can listen and purchase her music at www.karenmansfield.com. Karen resides in her home town of Oceanport, NJ where she lives with her teenage daughter.
Your Nickname(s):K;Ka;Kar
Birthday: August 7
Any Pets?: nope ; (
Instruments you rock: Guitar; Piano; Voice; Bass; Baritone Ukulele; Harmonica; a little Violin; very little Accordian
Favorite band/artist: Elvis; Doors; Led Zep; R.E.M., Beatles; Patsy Cline, J.D. McPherson
Favorite movie & tv show: Pride and Prejudice; The Sound of Music
Celebrity you look like: Drew Barrymore; Wynona Ryder
Favorite color: Sky Blue
Favorite snack food: fruits and veggies