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Lisa Marie can best be described as ‘A dynamic performer with an incredible drive to succeed’. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, singer, and writer, she has performed all over the world, owns a production company, and currently runs her own high-energy show band, Belladiva. She was born Lisa Marie Furth in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and began dancing at the age of three.

By the time she was a teenager, it was clear that Lisa Marie was destined to entertain. She enjoyed singing and dancing in musical theater productions in high school. She then received her B.A. in Theatre Arts, Acting/Directing at Mankato State University, where she performed in over 30 productions in both lead and supporting roles. While earning her degree, Lisa Marie choreographed and performed for a variety of projects such as the Reebok Performance Team (now known as the Minnesota Timberwolves Dance Team), the Harlem Globetrotters, Dayton’s annual ‘Back To School Show’ featuring Brooke Shields, and was a featured dancer/model on Twin Cities’ local talk shows, ‘Good Company’, and the KARE 11 morning show. In addition, she landed a job as an aerobics instructor specializing in funk dance and club style hip-hop at The Firm in Minneapolis. After graduating, in addition to teaching at The Firm, Lisa Marie was hired as resident choreographer for Valley Fair in Shakopee, Minnesota. She also began choreographing for local recording artists, and eventually became a member of a Minneapolis recording group called Asia’s Wild. She then performed as a singer/dancer, and a tribute artist for the world famous ‘Legends in Concert’ based in Las Vegas, and ‘Stars in Concert’, based in Berlin, Germany. While on a world tour which included Germany, Switzerland and Australia, to name a few, Lisa Marie still found time to teach master classes in funk dancing and hip hop, and land a spot on Germany’s hit TV series, ‘House Party’ as a back up singer/dancer.

Lisa Marie returned to Minneapolis in 2000, and during a recovery period from knee surgery, stayed busy with many projects. She started her own production company ‘Hey Sugar Productions’, started singing with local corporate bands such as Temporary Heroes, and The Brian Kinney Band, and appeared in several commercials including B96 Radio, Best Buy, and Valley Fair, to name a few. She then started writing for her CD project entitled ‘Live Your Truth’, which she released in 2002. After that, Lisa Marie produced, choreographed, and performed in ‘Superstars In Concert’ at Valley Fair. In addition, she choreographed for professional and educational theater around the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. In 2003, wanting to produce a Las Vegas style show band in the Twin Cities, Lisa Marie, along with two partners, created ‘Sugar Divaz’. She also recorded a national voice-over for MasterCard, and was featured on four tracks for a national independent film entitled, ‘The Onion’. Currently, Lisa Marie runs, choreographs, and performs in Belladiva, among other corporate bands, and she still enjoys teaching at The Firm.

Lisa's enthusiasm for singing began when she started singing in talent shows and school productions at the age of 6. Throughout high school and college, vocal jazz was her passion, and her major. After attending the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, she began her professional singing career at Valley Fair in 1988. Since then, she has been a headliner in such well-known bands as The Rupert’s Orchestra, Temporary Heroes Orchestra, and the renowned vocal jazz group, Moore by Four. In recent years, Lisa has also enjoyed a successful career in the Twin Cities’ musical theater scene*. Theatrical credits include starring at the Ordway’s McNight Theater in "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown", and in "8 Track - the Sound’s of the 70’s". After that, she enjoyed a 14-month run at the Hey City Theater, where she starred in "Smokey Joe’s Café". Currently, Lisa’s main gig is performing with the high-energy show band Belladiva. She also enjoys singing in a musical review of the "Andrews Sisters". In addition, Lisa also records jingles and voice-overs around town.

Jenny Sanford was born in Hollywood California, and began singing and performing at the age of six. Coming from a long line of singers and musicians dating back to Vaudeville, including her mother, who was a successful jazz vocalist, Jenny was destined to be an entertainer. By the age of sixteen, Jenny had studied voice under the direction of well-known vocal teacher Seth Riggs in Los Angeles, and was enjoying a successful recording career in both Minneapolis, and Los Angeles and had several music videos on television. She then went on to win Star Search in 1991, and later shared billing with internationally known names such as; The Temptations, Huey Lewis and the News, Little Richard, Sheena Easton, and The Doobie Brothers. Other musical endeavors include starring in various shows around the world in Spain, Africa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii to name a few, and performing for American troops in the Persian Gulf, Croatia and Diego Garcia. Currently, Jenny performs weekly with Belladiva.

Originally from Beresford South Dakota, Abby went to college at Minnesota State University where she was a member of the MSU dance team, and the MSU dance company. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Dance. During the summers Abby appeared as a featured singer/dancer in Valley Fair show ensembles. She currently enjoys performing with top Twin Cities’ band Belladiva.

 

Originally from Cleveland Ohio, producer/composer/vocalist/drummer Chazz Reed has been enjoying a successful career in the music industry since the age of 4. He has performed with national artists Ce Ce Peniston, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Glen Jones, Gang Star (Guru), Rob Bass, Black Street, Wang Chung, Merril Bainbridge, La Bouche, Gina G Duncan, Sheik, Real McCoy, Miko Weaver, Alexander O’Neil, Cherille, & Tech 9, and Branford Marsalis. Film and television credits include Princes’ Sign of the Times & Graffiti Bridge, Breakin’, The Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, AIDS Awareness Telethon, Uptown Jazz Fest, Rosen’s Sports Sunday, and Minnesota Music Awards to name a few. Currently Chazz lives in Minneapolis, where he enjoys running his own production company, and continues to record and perform live.

Originally from East Moline, Illinois, musician/recording artist/composer Pancho Lopez has been performing professionally since he was 7 years old. Since then he has appeared/toured with top artists such as Louis Bellson, Pearl Bailey, Stevie Wonder, Kool & the Gang, Cameo, Clay Walker, Nachito Herrera, Jennifer Grimm, Soul Tight Committee, R Factor, Vintage Raggs, and Belladiva. Pancho has been living in the Twin Cities since 1984, and spends most of his time with family and writing, recording and performing.

 

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, musician/composer/recording artist/producer David Eiland has enjoyed a successful career in the music business for over 35 years. He has recorded and performed with national artists such as Janet Jackson, David Bowe, Human League, Jonny Lang, Thelma Houston, Alexander Oneil, and Cherrel just to name a few. David moved to the Twin Cities when he was 8 years old and currently resides in Minneapolis where he performs with top local bands The Combo, TC Jammers, Doug Menard, and Ipso Facto, and Belladiva. He is also an active member and performer at Club 3 Degrees.

 

Originally from Chicago, recording artist/composer/producer Donnie La Marca has been playing piano, Hammond organ, playing and programming keyboards, and playing saxophone professionally for over 27 years. He has appeared, toured, and/or recorded with national and international artists such as Ann Nesby , Johnny Lang, Giorgia, Whitney Houston, Donnie Osmond, Bobby Caldwell, Dave Weckl, The Rembrandts, Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Peterson, St. Paul Peterson, Kevin Bowe, Paul Mayasich, Lisa Keith, The Steeles, Candance Graham, Paul Metsa, Marian McPartland, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, Al Wilson, Otis Day, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Doris Jackson and The Shirelles, and Ben Vereen. In the Twin Cities, where he currently resides, Donnie keeps busy recording, producing and performing.

Eric graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance. A ‘first call’ trumpet for many national and local acts in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, he has performed world-wide with horn players, from The Tonight Show, Tower of Power, and Maynard Ferguson bands to name a few. In 2003-2005, Eric toured with Bette Midler as lead trumpet player on her three Kiss My Brass tours. He appeared on The Tonight Show, the Ellen Degeneres Show, A&E Biography, and in Rolling Stone magazine, and Entertainment Weekly with Bette. These days Eric keeps busy with writing, arranging, and recording projects, and recently completed his debut jazz CD More. In addition to his successful music career, Eric enjoys a second career as a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines based in The Twin Cities where he currently resides.

Originally from Baltimore, musician, composer, producer George Parrish has over 35 years experience in the music industry. Throughout his career, he has been in high demand touring and recording with various bands and national artists, such as Eumir Deodato, Cherell, Robert Robinson, Seals & Crofts, Sara Renner, and was musical director and tour and production manager for Alexander O’Neal for 11 years (1985-2006). George moved to Minneapolis in 1985, where he currently resides, and runs his production company, Make It Loud Inc., and enjoys performing and recording with Heart of the Cities, and Belladiva.

 

Saxophonist John Bertsch graduated from South Dakota State University in 1996. Since then, he has performed & recorded with top-rated bands such as Bus Nine, Spooncat!, the BKS Vine, Dixie and The Dreamers, and was a featured soloist with the South Dakota Acoustic ChristmasTour in 2002 and 2006. John has enjoyed performing with national artists such as Sam Moore, The Temptations, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Gary US Bonds, Peter No one of Herman's Hermits, Davy Jones of the Monkees, Lou Christie, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Platters, Tommy Roe, Leslie Gore, Sonny Geraci, The Shirrells, Freddie"Boom Boom" Cannon, Ben E. King, and Percy Slege. John moved to the Twin Cities area in 2002, and is currently first-call with top groups such as the TC Jammers, TC Horns, Nachito Herrera, Kimberly Michaels, Soul Tight Committee, High & Mighty, and Belladiva.