Stephanie Reese to perform for Gawad Kalinga INQUIRER.net
September 01, 2009
International singer-actress and philanthropist Stephanie Reese will be performing a benefit show for Gawad Kalinga (To Give Care) Nov. 7th at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Her diverse ethnic background of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Irish, English and Welsh have blessed her with an eclectic versatility that is reflected in her style, her music, the roles she has played, the tremendous range of her voice and the wide variety of songs she enjoys performing.
She performed as Kim in the German production of Miss Saigon; Esmeralda in the Disney World Premier of the Hunchback of Notre Dame; and the Princess Tuptim in the King and I at the Palladium Theater in London’s West End. She then returned to the United States and wrote, directed and starred in her autobiographical one-woman show entitled “The Journey” and received rave reviews in Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles and at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. Stephanie also wrote and directed a musical Christmas show, “The Gifts” that featured her and children of different ages and backgrounds. It has now been produced in three cities including Seattle, Virginia Beach and in Los Angeles for the Make a Wish Foundation. These solo endeavors launched Stephanie’s solo career and with her original music, versatile sound and fusion of opera, pop and theatrical music she created a new genre and style that has brought her global recognition. She has now performed solo concerts around the world including Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, the U.S. and Canada to her very loyal and diverse fan base.
Stephanie made her Hollywood debut just last year at the three-day star-studded celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Crustacean Restaurant of Beverly Hills where she shared the stage with Miss Patti Labelle and Natalie Cole and received a standing ovation for her female rendition of Nessun Dorma. This created such a buzz that Stephanie launched her first big solo concert in Los Angeles at the Normandie Casino to a sold-out audience and three standing ovations which gave her the title “The Standing Ovation Queen” by Los Angeles’ audiences and fans.
She recently performed, directed and wrote, “I am Stephanie Reese,” a theatrical solo concert at Teatrino in Manila, Philippines to a sold-out audience and rave reviews. This concert put her on the Top 10 list of rising stars of the Philippines and by popular demand will be giving a repeat performance on October 2nd at the famed Music Museum in Manila.
Stephanie was chosen for many events based on her Filipino heritage. Philippine Airlines celebrated their 100th Anniversary in San Francisco with a private musical concert by Stephanie and Martin Nieverra and she was one of three soloists for the debut concert of the FASO, the first ever Filipino American Symphony Orchestra concert at the Beverly Hills Wilshire Theatre. She was the only soloist to receive a standing ovation. She was also chosen by ABS-CBN (the largest Filipino TV network) to sing at the 100th-year anniversary celebration of Filipino Americans in the United States in Honolulu, Hawaii.
She has two solo albums, “The Voice” and “Stephanie Reese at Her Best” and her next album will be out in the fall. It will include more of her original songs and fan favorites. She is also on the original cast album of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and of “The King and I” with Elaine Paige and Jason Scott Lee.
Aside from her thriving career, Stephanie is extremely passionate about her charitable work with Gawad Kalinga, an organization that builds homes and communities for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. She is currently building a village for 30 families in her name and gives charitable concerts to raise funds and create advocacy for this great organization. Aside from Gawad Kalinga, she is always willing and passionate about offering her talents for the sake of others. She worked in Seattle, Washington, her hometown, with Rise n’ Shine Camp where she taught acting to children who are affected or infected by HIV and AIDS. She has helped raise funds and awareness for Bantay Bata 163 for the protection of children’s rights and welfare in the Philippines; Make A Wish Foundation; The American Red Cross; Relief Efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina; Funding for the Leyte Mudslide victims in the Philippines; Asia and Pacific Islander Wellness Center for AIDS awareness and prevention; The White Ribbon Campaign to help end domestic abuse; and countless AIDS awareness benefits. She also stages private concerts for children in need such as her Seattle concert, entitled “Music for Mindy” for a 4-year-old little girl with terminal brain cancer whose parents struggled to afford treatment.
Stephanie studied opera performance at Indiana University and at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music for Musical Theater. She was a dedicated voice student of the late Eileen Manzin.
Stephanie’s Carnegie repertoire will feature cabaret, opera, Broadway, and original songs. Tickets are $75-$135 and are available by telephone at Carnegie Charge (212) 247-7800 or online at www.carnegiehall.org. For more information about the show, contact Elton Lugay of Gawad Kalinga in New York at (917) 209-9817 or visit www.stephaniereese.com.
