Team

 

GILLI MOON

Co-Founder - President  
Based in Los Angeles

Oversees and manages all operations worldwide, plus the website.

Gilli Moon is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, pianist, actor, producer, author, painter, motivator, entrepreneur, visionary and empowering community builder. gilli moon is the quintessential renaissance woman, with a ceaseless contribution to the creative and artist community at large. An artist in her own right, Gilli Moon has become a beacon for artists around the world, inspired and motivated by gilli's story, and her creativity. As Co-Founder and President of Songsalive!, Gilli has established over 25 chapters around the world hosting workshops, showcases and other programs for songwriters. She has received numerous press for her courage, power and dynamic energy as an artist and inspiration for other artists, has won many awards and has worked with other highly respected prominent artists. Recently she was interviewed in Newsweek magazine as a pioneer and leader in the independent music business; been featured alongside Aimee Mann in discussing their mutual success in the indie music scene in Music Connection Magazine; has had music at No. 1 on the Australian mp3.com site and is constantly featured in the media, online, and radio with her music and outstanding achievements. With her Songsalive! world nation, as well as her record label Warrior Girl Music, Gilli has effectively brought together thousands of artists and songwriters together under various umbrellas, whether it be music conferences, song retreats and workshops, or with her dynamic and thought provoking rock music concerts. She is also the author of the motivational book "I AM A Professional Artist - the Key to Survival and Success in the World of the Arts" and is currently writing her sophomore book release "Just Get Out There" due in 2008. Read more about Gilli here

ROXANNE KIELY

Co-Founder - Director Of Operations
Based in Sydney

Oversees and runs the Australian arm of Songsalive!, works with President in steering organization towards its mission and goals. Management of all memberships and database

Songwriter and dynamic performer, Roxanne is co-founder and runs the Australian office of Songsalive! Her experience in the industry is extensive, via her own talent, and her ability to foster the talent of others. As a vocal coach, many of her students are well known TV and recording artists.  Roxanne also performs with her husband Stephen Kiely in their Covers band, CoverMe and original band "Prodigal Twins".  Read more about Roxanne Kiely on her website www.roxanne.kiely.com. Read her vocal tips here and be sure to get her vocal exercises CD.

 

 

STEVEN ARCHDEACON

Songsalive! New York Coordinator

 

Steve Archdeacon is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and independent recording artist and performing musician based in Stony Brook, NY. He was introduced to Songsalive! at the TAXI Music Conference when he attended one of Gilli Moon’s seminars and shortly after became a member. His MAIN passion in life is MUSIC and strongly believes that if we all help each other out in our life-long quest as artists then you really can’t go wrong because we will all benefit in the long run. He also enjoys motivating others to do their very best in life as you only get back what you put into it. He is on the NEW cover of the Indie Bible 9 (same pic as above) thanks to Songsalive!, and has traveled to England to play at the Cavern where the Beatles became famous. He has also performed in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, among many other places. He hopes to bring people together with Songsalive! and create more of a community of songwriters in the NY Chapter. He also raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project, which is an organization that helps out soldiers wounded in battle.

You can visit him through his EPK or on Myspace. 

ELEANOR BAKER

Sydney Team member



I have been involved in music practice for over 20 years. Although a  classically trained musician having studied the flute at the Canberra School of Music I have enjoyed both playing and writing music in many styles. I played in an original rock band during the 90s and more recently have played in various classical and cabaret groups. I am currently playing the keyboards in a Sydney based tribute band and I teach the flute. I am very excited to be joining the Songsalive team to work towards developing and promoting songwriters in Sydney.

 

 

 

DEBORAH BISHOP

Nashville Chapter Coordinator

Hosting and booking of Monthly Songsalive! Showcases in Nashville TN

Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada Deborah started performing at tender age of four.  Since then she has stolen the hearts of her audiences all over the world.  Most recently, she wowed Los Angeles when she was honored with the LAMA for the “best independent Album of the Year”. This 5’5” fiery redhead has a raw and mesmerizing energy that practically leaps off the stage when she’s on it.  With a voice that can fade to a whisper and come back with a roar, the comment often arises; “How does that big voice come out of that little girl?”  Her songs are heart felt and inspiring often stirring up memories for her listeners as they sing along.  Together with long time songwriting and music partner George Leger III, Deborah is forging a path that has long called her name and most recently brought her to Nashville TN.  Excited to be in the hub of the Country Music World, Deborah looks excitedly to a future filled with doing what she loves best, writing, singing and performing.
 
“Music is my obsession.  There is nothing in this world like hearing the audience singing along or, feeling them with you in a tender moment.   My greatest passion is when I can feel the audience and I know they can feel me… That’s what I live for.”  
Deborah Bishop
 

RITA BRATOVICH

Sydney Team member

I have been a Songsalive member for almost ten years - virtually a founding member. I have a BA in music and a PhD in imagination. My song portfolio is steadily building and I'm currently collaborating with another Songsalive member as a lyricist. There aren't any gold records or contracts yet but it's in the stars. My time is coming.

 

 

 

RORY CAMPBELL

Amsterdam, The Netherlands Chapter Coordinator Assistant

He's one of the best keyboardists in town! Rory's Electric Open-Mike is on every Tuesday night at The Waterhole, right after the Songsalive! Amsterdam Showcase. For more info on Rory, check his  MySpace Page

 

 

KRISTY COOTE 

Online Volunteer, Australia

Kristy has been instrumental in the formation of our Nashville Chapter, and currently resides in Sydney, Australia, assisting with our CdBaby online gallery and other online support.

Kristy's sound has been described as a 'sweet ethereal vocal style which wraps around her distinct bluesy/pop/folk sound', with influences from Elvis...yes Elvis, Jewel and a touch of honesty. Her EP has topped the charts with her song 'I'm not that Girl' hitting number 1 on the Worldwide Independent Radio Network. After touring around the good ole United States
of America again last year, Kristy has collected a number of co-written songs from L.A., Nashville and Bermuda. She co-wrote with the likes of Deric Ruttan, Jake Mathews, Margaret Findley, Aaron Brotherton, Megan Light and the beautiful ones from Bermuda. Look out for her - she has a voice you do not want to miss!!

 

 

DEBORAH CROOKS

San Francisco, CA Coordinator with Steven Kacsmar

Deborah Crooks is a writer, singer/songwriter and arts activist whose work is informed by a dedication to the process of liberation. A penchant for finding answers to life?s big questions has sent the California native around the globe to study different cultures, yoga and Buddhism--experiences that inform her work. Exploring themes of identity, love and faith, each of her songs demonstrates a careful attention to lyric honed by a lifetime of writing while her vocal delivery spans a wide emotional range. Her songs have been included on several compilations in recent years as well as receiving regular airplay The former managing editor of a national sports magazine, Deborah?s articles, essays, reviews and interviews appear in many publications including Kitchen Sink, Northern Lights, Yogi Times, and Seal Press anthologies. She is also a leader in No Limits for Women in the Arts. Visit her website here.

 

JOAN DOUGLAS

Tamworth Chapter Coordinator

Oversee events in Tamworth; encouraging Company awareness and membership drives.

Business woman who built an acoustically designed room at The Pub, Tamworth, for live entertainment, mainly focused on songwriting. Have two other hotels with entertainment facilities which play a large part in the Tamworth Country Music Festival they are The Family Hotel and Southgate Inn. Now directs The Pub Management which is a country music artist management company.   Joan has started up the Tamworth Songsalive! Showcases in 2003. See our Tamworth programs and events.

 

ALEXIS GACH
Boston Showcase Coordinator

Alexis Gach is a singer/songwriter, and currently enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston.  Visit her on Myspace.
 

 

 

 

LISA GRACIANO

Amsterdam, The Netherlands Chapter Coordinator

As a performing Dutch singer-songwriter of Filipino-Indonesian descent, Lisa
has been in and out of bands and making her own songs since her school days. Singing songs based on life, this bluesy songstress with slide and sometimes without, depending on each song, plays a few licks here and there on her semi-acoustic guitar, in between her vocal lines. She has done many solo semi-acoustic shows and has hosted and co-hosted a few open-mike sessions. Many times she is seen equipped with an electric Fender Strat and effects pedal, playing in a band formation. One of Lisa's CDs, entitled 'Citygirl Blues', contains 12 songs that show various influences from country, gamelan, funk, pop and rock injected into her bluesy style. 
Go to http://www.lisagraciano.com for more info

 

MICHAEL GREGORY

Grass Valley CA Chapter Coordinator

Hosting and booking of Monthly Songsalive! Programs in
Grass Valley CA

Michael has been singing since his childhood and always dreamed of becoming a singer and a musician. He started playing his mother's guitar at 12, when she stopped playing it herself. Then started his first rock'n'roll band at the age of 13. Michael has been writing songs since his high school days and has never stopped. He now has 3 working bands; "Mad Dash" a 7 piece show/party band with 3 female vocalists, "CoolHeat" a 5 piece Smooth Jazz group which plays covers and original music and now "Inner Outlook" an acoustic 3 piece all original group. Michael is also an ordained Minister having studied Eastern and western religious philosophies for most of his life. He has written, produced and released two original albums so far, one under the "Mad Dash" name and one spiritual album under his own name. As a Songsalive! member Michael hopes to promote his own music and help others promote their original music as well.

 

NANCY HASHIM

Songsalive! Membership Manager

For over ten years, Nancy Hashim was involved in clinical research at San Diego’s Feighner Research Institute where she was responsible for Administrative Finance and Marketing.  During her tenure, Nancy played an integral part in every aspect of the company’s clinical research operations.  With four sites in San Diego, she was active in the day-to-day management and administration of the group as a whole, and each research site, individually. More recently, Nancy has embarked on an entirely new career by managing independent singer/songwriter, JD Feighner.  Utilizing marketing and public relations skills that she developed at Feighner Research, she has set about learning and understanding all aspects of the independent music business.  Recently, she helped her client form an independent record label, 1620 Records, and expects to release JD’s debut album soon.

 

KRISTY HANSON

eNotes and Songchat Discussion list moderator

Working with Marketing manager moderating our discussion lists

Kristy Hanson is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan who already has two independent releases under her belt, which she owes largely to the fantastic musicians at U of M who donated their time and especially to her all-around partner and bassist, Mike Chiaburu. Her “Femmetet,” an all-girl group consisting of cellist, oboist, & drummer, showcased Kristy’s arrangements and played to packed houses in Ann Arbor.  An appearance on the nationally syndicated Mitch Albom show won her praise from Mitch as well as new listeners across the country.  After having had a closer look at the uphill battle independent artists face to get their music heard, she is thrilled to be able to help Songsalive unite songwriters! Read Kristy’s news at www.kristyhanson.com
 

 

DAVE HARVEY

Communications Director, Global, and L.A Showcase coordinator

Handles all press release, promotions and coordination of our chapter events, as well as general company PR and marketing. online@songsalive.org. He is also our LA Showcase coordinator while Aaron Black takes hiatus. Apply to showcase through the L.A Songsalive! Myspace page or official application here (which is where we'd finally send you). Check out the L.A Chapter.

Dave Harvey has a diverse background. He grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia and went to high school with Bruce Hornsby. He has led an adventurous career path in being everything from an actor to an archaeologist, a museum blacksmith, historian, editor, and a long current career as a professional museum, art, artifact, architecture, and sculpture conservator. He once had a close encounter with the first artifacts that were raised from the RMS Titanic. When he is not busy saving the world's treasures in his day job, Dave is writing and editing for publications, pursuing photography, and for the past two years has been a videographer producing and directing over 500 hrs. of live music webcasts, and also producing live music events. Dave also runs the Westside Tennis group and in his free time he enjoys hiking and camping.

 

STEVEN ANDREW KACSMAR

San Francisco, CA Chapter Coordinator

Steven Andrew Kacsmar is an engaging singer/songwriter whose music is an intriguing mix of folk, acoustic rock, and the blues. His music resonates with the influence of a wide range of genres. His lyrics express both raw emotion and unquenchable idealism. While running the Songsalive workshops in San Francisco, Steven also writes poetry and short stories, performs with various San Francisco samba groups, plays jazz trombone, and is involved in radio theatre. He is branching out into recording and production and is working on a new CD with his band, Phantom City.

 

 

STEPHEN KIELY

Sydney Workshop Coordinator & Showcase Host

Host of Sydney monthly showcases and workshops

Although Stephen has made a career in the Australian music industry as a writer, performer, producer and arranger, and his mp3.com site recently broke through 100,000 downloads, he was bitten by the website design bug and founded Corner 41 in 1996. Stephen hosts the Songsalive! Sydney Workshops on a monthly basis. Recently, he married Songsalive! co-founder and girl of his dreams, Roxanne. They write for themselves and other artists, and perform together under the name CoverMe. See his member page here

 

PAUL KOUGIAS 

Volunteer, Australia

Events assistance and email drives at monthly events – workshops and showcases.  

Also one of the first on the Songsalive! team, Paul Kougias, known artistically as Perikles, assists us in Sydney with general workshop coordination, marketing and sponsorship, as well as databases. He is well known for his promotions at the Sydney showcases!

 

 

CANDACE KRUSE

Vegas NV Chapter Coordinator

Candace is originally from Milwaukee Wisconsin and is a graduate of the Milwaukee HS of The Arts and of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Recording Engineering and Music Business.  Emphasizing in Voice and Piano, in college, she had gotten an early start in her education and has been studying since the 1^st grade. She currently resides in Las Vegas, NV and has a wide background of Theater, Film, Voice Over and Music.  In addition to her strong musical abilities and performing regularly on the strip in Las Vegas with her group Super Shock, she has many voice over and acting credits to her name.  Check out her versatility and spark on the web at www.CandaceKruse.com or check out some of her original music at www.SuperShockShow.com.

 

 

WILLIAM LOVE

Phoenix AZ Chapter Coordinator

I wrote tons of songs through the years and never quite liked the way others played em, so I had to learn how to play piano a drop, and then the guitar and bass at least a bit.  Still am learning just about daily mainly on my Larrivee, though I did just get a 5-string M.K. Dragonfly bass. With my photo degree in fine art I ended up somehow as a graphics sales person for years, changed to being an entrepreneur, changed to doing nothing for a while, (I liked that job the most) to now teaching art and voice in high school; for someone with a voice in the middle of Warren Zevon, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, coupled with a pathological yearning to sing like Jackson Browne, that is quite an accomplishment. Actually, I worked with my 8 year old to get her to blow a clean G on her recorder the other day, that was about the tops!

 

MARCEL LUNTUNGAN

Amsterdam, The Netherlands Chapter Coordinator

 
The music of Marcel Luntungan is emotional and melodic. His voice hits you in the guts. The lyrics speak of his search for his inner voice and his experiences while doing so. His guitar play accompanies his voice, but his love for piano is clear as well. Marcel will be hosting the Songsalive Amsterdam Showcase when Lisa is not in Amsterdam. For more info, go to www.luntungan.com

 

 

 

CHRIS MARSTON

Boston MA Chapter Coordinator

Chris recently graduated from Suffolk University Law and Business School with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Science and is preparing for the NY and MA bar exams.  He has been writing since he was 10, and his focus is on pop ballads.  Chris has his own recording studio and is currently working on an album of "Ballads" due for completion by the end of the year.

 

 

 

STEVE MASON

Seattle Chapter Coordinator

Delivering life's most important messages with music, humor and heart is what gets me out of bed each day, (and sometimes in the middle of the night). Writing Connection Songs, performing my own material and some really fun and heartfelt covers is where I use most of my musical energy.

 

 

 

JAY MATSUEDA

Media Coordinator (handles the Songnotes newsletter, online media content and our Myspace pages)

Jay Matsueda's voice has been described as sharing qualities of such greats as Cat Stevens, Tim Buckley and Tracy Chapman, whilst maintaining a distinctness all its own. His lyrics are written to be appreciated as stand-alone poetry, yet his elaborate musical backdrops draw the listener in and enhance his lyrical messages. Song samples at jaymatsueda.com

 

 

 

 

 

MARK MICKLICH

Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator

Mark is an avid guitarist & composer spanning four decades. Having studied under the top LA jazz guitar teachers in his youth, he combines jazz improvisation with popular music composition, to provide an infinite wealth of songwriting inspiration. "More songs flowing through my head than I know what to do with". He has performed in Big Bands and jazz ensembles & is currently performing in the Songsalive! showcases. He has twenty five years background with computers and electronics. He is a Team Member of Songsalive! and assists the producers of the LA Women's Music Festival.

Check out the L.A Chapter.

 

 

PAUL LAWRENCE MOYER

Event Coordinator - Workshops Los Angeles

Oversees L.A Programs, eg workshops, showcases, member drives, other events. Host and chair of monthly songwriter workshops and new songwriter development programs

Paul Lawrence is a songwriter/producer who has worn many hats in the music industry from touring across the country as the guitarist for numerous acts to engineering and producing local songwriters in his recording studio. In 2001 Paul organized and ran the Los Angeles Songwriters Circle and in 2002 was Co-Director with Gilli Moon of the Songsalive! Expo at UCLA, with 1000 attendees from the music and songwriting business. Currently, he is writing/producing his own CD and managing indie CD sales depot www.Artistjam.com. Paul's mottos: "Get serious about your music" and: "Take chances and you will have no regrets". More about the workshops

 

RUSSELL NEAL

Sydney Australia Showcase Coordinator

Russell Neal is a Sydney-based songwriter, who sings and plays guitar, mandolin, dobro, lap steel, bass, drums and keyboards.  His songs cover a variety of styles from folk to blues to jazz to pop to country, and range from sensitive love songs to humorous narratives.  He is a popular performer at open mike nights and songwriters' nights around Sydney and has also played at the Woodford, Illawarra, Gundagai and National festivals, and at the Sidmouth and Lechlade folk festivals in England, plus a number of venues in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

 

RODNEY O'RILEY

Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

Oversees online and public event presence, company branding, conference promotions, advertising, grants and sponsorship.

Rod O'Riley is the writing and performing name of Rodney Dean Stansfield. RDS is a guitar salesperson by day, songwriter by night, and many other things in the hours in between. A native of Los Angeles, raised in his parents' native Vancouver, BC, and schooled all over the West Coast. Currently learning the fine art of bass playing, producing, and letting the computer take care of the hard parts. Active as an organizer in science fiction fandom, he also keeps himself busy as an activist for animal rights, gay/lesbian/bi rights, and anarchism. And, of course, for the continued viability of live music and the venues that support it. Rodney has been involved in many aspects of Songsalive! since 2002. In 2007, he was honored to assist with the creation of the new Songsalive! chapter in Orange County, California.
 

 

MICHAEL PLISHKA

Chicago Chapter Coordinator

Hosting and booking of Monthly Songsalive! Programs in Chicago IL

Chicago native, Michael Plishka, showcased his aerobic/percussive guitar style with the bands Half and Half and The Cause, touring the Midwest for 12 years.   Plishka also played in Champaign, Illinois, with the band Hot, Sticky and Confused, and in Chicago with Mystic Lemming.  He actively collaborates with other Chicago based artists, firmly believing that the songwriters and performers of Chicago have the potential to be greater than the sum of their parts. Despite an intensive musical resume, Plishka has also nurtures interests in ice hockey, fencing, luge, fishing and golf. Plishka is our Chicago coordinator. 

 

 

DAN SCHTEINGART

New York co-coordinator with Steve Archdeacon

Dan Schteingart's work as a composer and songwriter has yielded praise from industry professionals for over a decade. He was recently named a suggested artist by "Song of the Year", and his work "Keely's Song" was a finalist in last year's John Lennon Songwriting Contest. His songs are "poignant, colorful, and written with powerful emotion and harmony". He combines the academia of music theory and composition learned at The Juilliard School with raw instinct and a rich sound, and has played at venues from New York to Los Angeles. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Schteingart received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California. He was a DJ at two of the largest radio stations in Anchorage, Alaska, before moving to New York. Dan is also an accomplished video and television producer. He has produced for HBO's on-air promotion department, as well as for the PBS music series "Great Performances", where he has worked with many high profile musicians and orchestras. He is currently the executive producer of Victory Films, and lives with his wife and son in New York City. www.schteingart.com

 

SEAN MICHAEL SHOWALTER

Austin Chapter Coordinator

Sean Michael is a soulful singer, songwriter, guitar player and bass player based in Austin, TX. He aspires to travel the world playing music, planting seeds in the hearts and minds of unsuspecting audiences that will take root in their subconscious and grow in to fruits of love, understanding, faith, and hope. For many years he lived under an umbrella of fear which kept him from pursuing his dream of being a professional musician. He truly understands how important it is to build others up rather than put them down, and wants to foster the development and careers of others that want to walk the musicians path. In short, he wants to make your dreams come true.
Visit his website here.



 

 

JENNIFER TRUESDALE

Showcase coordinator, Boston

Vocalist and songwriter Jennifer Truesdale has been a part of the Boston music scene for many years as both a live performer and session vocalist. Her songs have been heard on various major network television shows including ABC's All My Children & One Life To Live, NBC's The Young and the Restless, the Fox Network's Melrose Place and the Showtime series Soul Food. Additionally, Jennifer is the Owner and Director at the Jeannie Deva® Voice Studios in Boston, www.devastudiosboston.com, where she has worked with hundreds of Boston area singers, helping them to achieve their own personal musical goals. A former record label-marketing executive, Jennifer has earned Gold and Platinum Albums and uses her music business expertise to advance her own career as well as those of her clients. Jennifer graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music and currently serves on the Berklee Alumni Association. Additionally Jennifer is Co-Director of Chick Singer Night Boston (www.chicksingernight.com) a nationally recognized performance series for women.