LET US INTRODUCE OUR TEAM...
Thank you again for your continued support of the RTA program. Our students have been selected and are about to get to work. We thought we would take some time in this week's newsletter to introduce you to our team of talented professionals that will be working with our students as they
prepare for the big night!
JIM DAWSON
COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
 Jim Dawson is the facilitator of the Total Expression training workshops for RTA’s vocalists.
Jim serves as the Managing Partner of ADI Performance and is a nationally recognized speaker and expert in the area of communication skills. He is also a corporate trainer/facilitator, columnist and author. As a presenter/speaker, he has addressed and impacted the lives of thousands of people and achieved impressive results for his clients including, among others, Coca-Cola, Alltel and Lockheed Martin. Prior to creating ADI Performance, he was with AT&T’s School of Business – the premier training organization within the largest communications holding company in the U.S.
Jim is dedicated to helping every client realize new levels of communication and performance skills that lead to expanded career options. Over the last 20 years, Jim has developed and refined a teaching process enabling his students to develop techniques that empower them to bring their message in a sincere and convincing manner to audiences of all sizes. With regard to RTA’s performers, Jim will be conducting a series of two workshops designed to aid the students with the development of a professional on-stage presence.
Jim is a co-author of “Real World Customer Strategies That Work” (Insight Publishing Company, 2004) and has contributed to nearly 200 business and trade journals. He is a member of the National Speakers Association of Georgia, and Toastmasters International.
CHARLES E. BULLOCK
CHOREOGRAPHER
 Charles E. Bullock, hails from Phoenix, AZ where he began his study of
Musical Theatre at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Institute / Black
Theatre Troup Inc.
His studies brought him to Atlanta where he completed a B.A. in Studio Arts
at Morehouse College and worked extensively with such companies as The Youth
Ensemble of Atlanta Inc., Jomandi Productions, Theatrical Outfit, Alliance
Theatre, Atlanta Dance Theatre, Several Dancers Core and others.
Heralded as one of Atlanta s Best Atlanta Journal/Constitution 94 for
his work in Dreamgirls, he has been a featured vocalist for such events has
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Gospel christmas 92- 96, the 96 Olympic
Opening Ceremonies, 2002 4th of July Celebration for WGLC and has served as
background vocalist / choreographer for Sir Elton John's Peachtree Road
World Tour. He is lyricist / co-director for Atlanta recording artists
Voice of Atlanta and was a featured vocalist on their debut CD Are You
Listening? He is currently developing material for their sophomore project.
Charles has also served the community with his endeavors with the
award-winning, national and internationally acclaimed Youth Ensemble of
Atlanta Inc., where he serves as Choreographer / Art Director. He as
honored to receive a Lexus Award for Excellence in the Arts for his work
with YEA.
ADAM L. McKNIGHT
VOCAL DIRECTOR
 Adam L. McKnight is an entertainer with indomitable talent. Founder of Voice of Atlanta Choir, Adams’ leadership and standards of excellence impressed Sir Elton John by arranging on the spot, and then recording, 7 songs in 5 hours on their first meeting. Gaining the respect of Sir Elton, Adam went on to arrange & record 8 songs on the Peachtree Road Album and toured the world with him in 2005. Highlights of that tour included; Live8 broadcast worldwide from Hyde Park in London, appearing at a free concert in Rome in front of the Coliseum and appearing at Elton’s White Tie Ball in Windsor, singing onstage with Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers of Chic, and Joss Stone. Adam is a consummate professional with a musical gift.
He has worked with such artists as Stevie Wonder, The Pointer Sisters, BB King, Cee-Lo, Gloria Estefan, Faith Hill, Lil’ Richard, The Temptations and Paul Schaeffer. Adams’ theater experience includes leading roles in Black Nativity, Eubie, and Bubblin’ Brown Sugar. Adam also co-founded the group Mistyque, featured with the Pointer Sisters and the All Atlanta Chorus, for the nationally televised Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Gospel Christmas.
Beginning his musical career playing trumpet, by the 10th grade he was playing gigs in a band with his brother. While at Tuskegee University, he sang with the acclaimed Tuskegee Golden Voices choir, performing songs written by the legendary William Dawson, whose Negro spirituals' heavily influenced him. Adam McKnight is a seasoned musician and an entertainment veteran.
ANDREW FAZACKERLEY
MUSIC DIRECTOR
 Born in England just to the East of the Beatles’ Liverpool . Andrew Fazackerley took his first music lesson on the piano at the age of seven under the direction of his grandfather. By the time he was twelve, Andrew could sight read music while playing musical accompaniments at a dance school. Andrew discovered jazz when he was fourteen and was forever transformed in his appreciation of music. From pubs in Dublin , Ireland to clubs in London , Philadelphia , Atlantic City and New York City , Andrew’s skill has catapulted him into the company of some of the greatest names in musical history including jazz legend Lionel Hampton, Grammy winner Nestor Torres, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Butler and “Master” Henry Gibson, the world’s most recorded percussionist.
In 1992, Andrew and his family arrived in Atlanta where he expanded his musical repertoire into new musical genres including country and western, blues, swing and rock. Andrew currently performs with a number of ensembles including “Tommie Macon and the Gentle Men of Jazz”, and “The Les Still Big Band” in addition to accompanying various Atlanta-based orchestras. Andrew is also a composer, arranger and producer of his own music and is hired by other musicians for similar services. It’s “all about the music” for Andrew and he is thrilled at the opportunity to serve as musical director of “Singularity” as it features some of the region’s top high school vocalists and accomplished professional musicians.
 Kathy Gates graduated from Georgia State University with a BS in Music Management and has managed several Atlanta artists including Shock Lobo, Jeffrey Butts and Modern Hero. She has managed the 3rd largest music conference in nation, the Atlantis Music Conference & Festival, since 1999. Her job includes selecting performing artist and panelists, procuring sponsorships, planning network parties, coordinating exhibitions & job fairs and the general management of the conference. Kathy is also a partner in the non profit organization Atlanta Music Unites which has raised thousands of dollars for needy causes (Hurricane Katrina, Tsunami etc…) by organizing citywide concerts. She is also the manager of a new reality show called “Face the Mix” where college interns compete by performing music oriented tasks to win name music industry internships. She currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy.
THE SHOW
Each of our finalists will spend the next two months preparing for our big night. The program will culminate with an evening of performances at Atlanta's famous Rialto Center for the Arts on Georgia State University's campus on Saturday February 2nd, 2008. The Rialto is a state of the art 833 seat venue that has been the home to many of the worlds most renowned musicians, vocalists and dancers. We hope you'll mark your calendars for this can't miss event!
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