When I was younger: Elton John, The Eagles, Paul Simon, The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynard Skynard and REO Speedwagon. Now: Patti Griffin, Bonnie Rait, Melissa Etheridge, Sarah Mclachlan, Aerosmith, Nora Jones, Eva Cassidy, Sheryl Crow
Sounds Like
People have said I sound like a number of different artists including Sarah McClachlan, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, Eva Cassidy and Janis Joplin.
I like to think I sound like Cassandra :).
Cassandra is a 20-year veteran performer and songwriter who has toured the Midwest both as an opera singer and as the lead vocalist for numerous rock bands. She has performed for the Chicago Bulls, with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus and most recently as a feature artist at the well-known Uncommon Ground Coffeehouse in Chicago.
A prolific songwriter, Cassandra's lyrics and extraordinary vocals connect with people straight from the heart. Cassandra’s dynamic personality, sense of humor and interaction with the audience make the atmosphere so relaxed, it feels like you are sitting in someone’s living room. But once she opens her mouth to sing, it feels like you have been transported to another place"
Cassandra’s love of singing and the arts came at an early age while growing up on a farm in Woodstock, IL. She loved to make up songs about anything she could think of. She also liked to put on stuffed animal rock concerts in her room with her little brother. When she was 13, she begged her parents to buy her a piano. To her surprise, they were able to get a used one from a friend of the family. They could not afford to pay for piano or voice lessons so she taught herself piano and participated in as much choir, band and theater in school as she could. It was in music that Cassandra found a place that she belonged.
Cassandra is the owner of A Place to Shine Music, Inc. where for 17 years she has been teaching, performing, writing and producing music. After receiving a degree in Music Education and Vocal performance from the University of Illinois in 1991, Cassandra continued her professional training in opera and acting for 7 years in Chicago. In her late twenties, she changed her focus and became a rock/pop/jazz singer and began focusing more on writing and performing her own original music.
Her motto: "Believe in what is possible..." It is her passion and soul’s work to share music and inspire growth. As a teacher she fulfills this by coaching voice, acting and functioning as an artist’s mentor and workshop facilitator. As a performer, she does this through writing, singing and recording her own music and performing as often as possible. She is also asked to collaborate regularly with other talented area musicians. In addition, she is the co-creator of the organization SOTA- Spirit of the Arts, which provides artists an opportunity to perform in a supportive environment, through open mics, festivals and feature concert events. Cassandra has a studio at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, IL. She lives in Marengo, IL with her husband Phil.
Hey Cassandra! I love the new version of Pictures of You, and the new song too! Hope all is well with you. I miss having performing buddies! There's just been too much else going on over here. Hope to talk to you soon! Love always, ~Trudy~
Hi Cassandra, I hope all is well. It's been a long time since I've been able to make it to a SOTA open mic, but I would really love to start going again. The music sounds great and I wish you the best.
I hope you are well. It's been ages and ages since we've talked. I sure do miss you! Anyway, I should be able to talk all weekend. I'll try you. :) There's so much to catch up about! Cool pictures from Uncommon Ground. It looks like you guys had a lot of fun. :) Take care out there! I've been thinking about you and Lori and Dorothy and Suzie and Diona and everybody a ton! Love, ~Trudy~
I wanted to let you know that I recieved your application to be "Friends". After carefull consideration, endless pie charts, graphs, and an hour long session on The Psychic Hotline.....
Congradulations! You've been approved. We are now Friends! Yea!
Hey, what was the name of that last song you played at UG the other night? I'd really like to look that one up and hear it again. Cheers,
Cassandra, I just have to tell you, your music is amazing. The arrangements, lyrics, and that VOICE.... I enjoy coming to your page so very much! blessings, Kim
Hi there!! I've been thinking about you a lot lately. I was going to call you today actually, but we took a roadtrip to some ruins in the mountains and didn't have very good cell phone service. Things are really great here! I'm so excited to graduate in October although it's going to be really sad and I don't feel quite ready to be done with school yet. I'm ready for a lighter schedule but I'm really going to miss school! Bryan and I are better than ever. I have learned SO much this year. It's insane... I could try calling you this week if you don't mind a 9:00pm phone call... Although I think I have a couple breaks during work this week, so I'll plan on calling you in the evening or afternoon sometime. Ooh! I should send you and all the PBD's an update e-mail. I think I'll do that right now. I hope you are well. Talk to you soon! ~Trudy~
I am thrilled with the way your songs came out. It is a treat working with artists of your caliber who are also open to my ideas. Thanks for the collaborative spirit.
Thanks for supporting John on 254's release. Let me know how I can help promote 6/24 performance....if you have a flyer to email, let me know. (jpg preferred)
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