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.
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.
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
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
 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.
ADAM L. McKNIGHT
VOCAL DIRECTOR
 With a captivating personality, unyielding stage presence and an incredible voice, Adam L. McKnight, opens his heart and soul in song!! Performing all styles of music, from R&B to Gospel, Pop and even Opera, Adam amazes and astounds audiences with his natural ability to sing. Performing on-stage in bands since age 13, Adam has settled in comfortably as not just a singer, but an entertainer, putting his heart and soul into every song he sings and enjoying the experience.
As a testament to Adam’s musical ability & vocal talents, in October 2003 & January 2004, he had the extreme pleasure of arranging background vocals & recording with the legendary Sir Elton John, on new music for the Broadway musical “Lestat” and for his critically acclaimed CD “Peachtree Road” released Fall, 2004. In addition, Adam along with members of his choir, Voice of Atlanta, completed a yearlong tour with Sir Elton nationally and internationally, including performances at Madison Square Garden for Katrina victims’ relief and Live 8 in London. 2005 being a busy year as it was, Adam also completed his 1st solo Pop/R&B CD project titled “Determination”, currently available online.
Adam co-wrote, performed, produced and independently released the debut CD for “Voice of Atlanta”entitled “Are You Listening”, a 2001 Grammy Award Entry for “Best Gospel Choir” as well as, 2000 Nominee for an Atlanta Gospel Choice Award. He has also lent his vocal talents to such national recording artists as Babbie Mason, Scooter Lee, Nappy Roots and Cee-Lo.
Adam has been featured soloist on many nationally televised events in all genres of music including performances with “The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra”, 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and the Democratic National Convention. He has performed on stage with such noted celebrities as Stevie Wonder, B.B.King, Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, Lou Gossett Jr., Robert Wagner, Faith Hill, Aaron Neville, Kelly Price, the Pointer Sisters and the Temptations. He has recorded commercial spots for TNT Sports, ESPN Radio, Black & Decker and Cellular One. And as “The Voice” of Starlight International LLC, Adam has entertained and motivated countless corporate audiences throughout the US, Asia and Europe.
He recently was elected to the Atlanta Chapter Board of Governors of the Recording Academy and enjoys working to maintain that respect among the music arts community.
Jason Sheffield
Jason Sheffield started acting and writing for various entertainment media in 1966. Beginning with theater, he transitioned to local and national commercials, television and film projects and has performed and/or written in each of these areas. Throughout his acting career, he has performed in front of many audiences, earning accolades and honors. His writing career began with monologs and short films and progressed to feature length screenplays, memoires and novels, a number of which have been optioned and purchased. Jason began teaching acting techniques to adolescents and teens in 2000. He helps his students be themselves, placing importance on being real and honest while exploring what makes them interesting, unique and unforgettable. He has written award-winning monologues for his students and coached others to Best Talent trophies in competitions around the country.
In 2005, Jason earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgia State University ’s College of Law . He practices in Atlanta and the surrounding counties as a trial attorney where he continues to write and "perform," but for a different audience: juries. Jason is thrilled to coach these fine talents as they embark on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Roger Sheffield
Producer
Roger Sheffield is a principal in the advisory firm of Sheffield Investment Management, Inc. For the past 30 years his responsibilities have primarily included structuring client investment portfolios to achieve long term wealth accumulation and portfolio management. In his personal life, Roger has devoted time and effort to being a catalyst for young people in their efforts to blossom as entertainers. For Roger, such activities represent a unique way of giving something back to the musical arts community. Rising Talents of ATLanta has been conceived as the perfect vehicle for accomplishing this objective.
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