Sammy J
Boston, MA
Singing: Unaware By: Allen Stone

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“When I was four years old, my great grandmother passed away leaving a very small inheritance to my parents. My parents, in turn, used this money to buy me a baby grand piano and start me on lessons. Ever since then, music has been a part of all aspects within my life. When I graduated from high school, choosing a career in the music industry was the only path I envisioned myself taking. Now that I am finishing college, on the verge of embarking into the “real world”, I have absolutely no regrets about the industry I have chosen to be a part of.”

How long have you been performing?
“I have been performing in some way or another for almost all of my life, however I did not start singing in a band until my junior year of high school. Back then, I had a band called The Bricks, for which I sang and played drum set simultaneously. It was a great band with lots of good memories, and I will always be thankful for the firsthand experience within the music industry that I gained through being a part of it.”

Who would you say has most inspired you?
“I was most inspired by my high school band director, Bill Alexander. He went above and beyond his professional obligations to help push me in the right direction and encourage me in all of my musical endeavors. He would stay at the school for hours after it had closed to allow myself of my band to use the band room as a practice space. Without his help, I would have never even auditioned for Berklee, let alone get into its program.”

How do you like to spend your free time? Do you have hobbies?
“When I am not bogged down by homework, I enjoy just hanging out with my friends! We play a lot of music, get into some great conversations, and almost always find some type of “adventure” to occupy our time. During the summers, when I get the chance, I absolutely love playing Disc Golf and Tennis, and during the winter I’ll jump at any chance I get to go skiing.”

What do you like best about your hometown — the town you are representing?
“Well being in college, I feel like I am representing two towns: Boston and Duluth. I love both of these places for they are each unique in completely different ways. Boston is such a vibrant city, full of life, culture, business and the arts. Duluth, on the other hand, has a beautiful small town attitude that epitomizes the concept of “Minnesota Nice”. Duluth (and Cloquet) will always be my home, but in the last four years I have come to call Boston my home as well.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“As a vocalist, I try to be as diverse in my singing styles as possible. Whether I’m singing a jazz standard or a rock song, I do my best to conform to the style while still giving it my own unique twist. I also play a multitude of different instruments, which many vocalists cannot do. In high school, I sang and played drums simultaneously, and today I am trying to develop various vocal techniques such as beatboxing and Tuvin throat singing.”

Erick Rodriguez
Boston, MA
Singing: “Me Faltas” By: Andrea Bocelli

What kind of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs?
“I enjoy several types of music, However I enjoy Latin and R&B the most. I like these the most because emotionally I have more to offer and connect with.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“Working as a marketing executive for either a record label or music publisher. Eventually, I dream of turning myself into a prominent producer.”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
Interning at Univision in Miami under the musical director for the station.”

How would you describe yourself to someone who does not know you?
“I would describe myself as a passionate visionary whose diligence and talent keeps my faith in my dream strong.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“I believe my hunger to expand my knowledge of the music industry sets me apart. To be successful in this industry one must fully understand all the traits from producing to composing to full access your potential.”

What song did you chose to sing and what did you chose that song?
“Me Faltas by Andrea Bocelli, because this song compliments my range, my vocal style, my ethnic background and the passion you feel when you sincerely miss someone.”

Asana Liana
Northampton, MA
Singing: “I’m outta’ Love” By: Anastacia

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“Probably what differentiates me from many musicians is my diverse ability, my natural range and abilities, my deep sense of sincerity and my writing– which comes directly out of my heart and soul without my attempting to engineer it just for the sake of popularity. I give 100% of myself when I sing and write.”

How would you describe your musical style?
“Hmm, tough one. I feel I am very diverse. I can imitate most singers and love so many styles. I will refer to others’ comments about my own voice and music: I’ve been told I sound “angelic” and that my voice is “healing and soothing” and “powerful”. How do I wrap that up? I guess my style is diverse, powerful, genuine and soothing.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“Whatever I do I hope I am still singing and still helping people in whatever way I can. I would love to be traveling, singing, spending time on different shores/beaches in all kinds of weather, finishing a degree in architecture, visiting architectural wonders along the way…always still helping people, though, that’s important to me.”

How do you like to spend your free time? Do you have hobbies?
“Of course I always love to sing and dance and write songs, I play Rock Band, basketball and hacky-sack, I do yoga and meditate, I take Kung-Fu or Hip Hop dance classes when I can, I love to write stories and draw or paint, I love reading and watching anything scientific, I also love conversing about anything philosophical or scientific. I am working on building a model of am 8-sided house I designed.”

Tell us how you feel about being on the show?
“I’m very happy and excited to be part of a show that I remember from my childhood. I feel nervous, but delighted. I wish I could have done it a long time ago, but very glad to be on it now. It’s wonderful! No matter how I do, I know it will be fun and memorable.”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
“I took a trip to visit the Shuar people in the Amazon rainforest with a group led by John Perkins. We spent a day walking through the forest to the nearest neighbor to have dinner. Taking the canoe ride back, with Shuar men steering our canoes, that was the most fun thing I’ve ever done. The whole trip was the most amazing and life-changing experience I’ve ever had.”