Ray McNiece
Drama/Theatre: Performance Poetry & Storytelling
Ray McNiece is the author of eight books of poems and monologues, most recently Breath Burns Away, New Haiku. He has created two solo theatre works: Dis – Voices From a Shelter and Us? Talking Across America; two music/poetry collaborations: “Mouth Music” and “A Rust bowl Hootenanny;” and an autobiography on stage: The Lives of A Poet. The Orlando Sentinel reporting on Ray’s solo show at the Fringe Festival called him “a modern day descendant of Woody Guthrie. He has a way with words and a wry sense of humor.” In a review of Us?…
Mary Rekers
Music: Multi-disciplinary Music & Movement
A life-long music educator, musician, gardener, and bird watcher, Mary Rekers designs and leads music classes, mini musicals for young children and special family music events that bring all of these to life! Her mantra: if it’s fun, they will learn!
As a musician and educator, Mary is ever mindful of bringing an audience to music appreciation through playful echoing of rhythm and tone patterns. Through this exploration, audiences and children become aware of their own ability to make music and to enjoy it! Simple folk dances and singing games add to the enjoyment and build a sense of community.…
In Harmony Therapeutic Services
Music & Music Therapy
In Harmony Therapeutic Services harnesses the power of music as a vehicle for children and adolescents to process information and emotions, express themselves, learn, create, and heal. As an organization, they believe in teaching through a therapeutic lens and use musical interventions and experiences linked to Ohio Content Standards to address academic and social-emotional goals. Their services are provided by highly qualified, board-certified music therapists, and their programs are developed so that children and adolescents are able to achieve individualized goals and live in harmony with themselves and the world around them.…
Demetrius Thomas
Music, Rap & Hip-Hop
I am Demetrius Thomas, also known to the world as Nova The Rebel. I am a Cleveland native and active hip-hop artist signed to the legendary rap group Bone Thugs N Harmony (BTNH). I have been actively creating and recording music since I was seven years old.
Traveling with BTNH, I’ve been on tour with musical legneds including Snoop Dogg and TLC, as well comedian Dave Chapelle. I’ve done performances in front of crowds with numbers ranging anywhere from 500 to 15,000 people in the stands. Through my travels I’ve been able to garner a strong following and the numbers are still growing.…
Christina Turner
Music & Drama/Theatre, Musical Theatre, Singing, & Acting
Christina (Chrissy T) Turner is a Columbus-based professional performing artist, educator, and multi-creative who received a Bachelors’ in Arts from Central State University in Vocal Music Performance. She’s performed locally, nationally, and internationally; her vocal style transcends beyond her classical training as her background is in multiple genres such as musical theater, jazz, soul, pop, and gospel music. She performs consistently with the corporate band “BlueWater Kings.”
Chrissy became a member of the International Thespian Society in 2004, where she began her acting career. For over two decades, Chrissy has been active in numerous regional theater communities receiving awards such as the 2022 Jebby Award for Best Lead Female in a Musical for her role as Amelia in “Ain’t Misbehavin” at Trinity Theater Company, and the 2022 Kingdom Image Award for Best Drama Performance for her role as Mother Superior in “Sister Act: The Musical” at Short North Theater.…
