The 2021 Winter Songwriting Mixer HIGHLIGHTS

Jessica Ricca, 22, is a musician focused on making her listeners feel heard and understood. She uses her experiences to write songs that make it easy for people to relate to. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jessica has been singing and writing music for over 10 years. Jessica recently went viral by writing a song titled Hey It's Delilah in response to the Plain White T's song titled, Hey There Delilah that tallied up millions of views on YouTube. This March, Jessica won first place in the first Music Madness competition that ultimately led to her signing with C2 Records. Her music falls between the genres of pop and alternative, but occasionally likes to explore other genres as she feels there is no need to categorize herself, or her music. Her first Single is titled "Hope It Hurts" which just release last weekend."

Soul music serves as a reminder of the varied emotions and experiences we face in life, whether it is a new love or a lost one. Yes, the world has had many soul singers and even more soul albums…but, in recent years, there have been no soul singer like Staten Island NY native IDA DIVINE. While it might sound like hyperbole, 2020 Best Female Soul Award Winner IDA DIVINE may very well be that emerging star that will rekindle authentic soul music from another time for those who’ve noticed it’s been missing. DIVINE has the diversity to become an AfroPunk Battle of the Bands Semi-finalist and has shared stages with icons like the Wu-Tang Clan, Dance Hall Queen Lady Saw as well as established R&B voices such as Me'lissa Morgan, Phonte, Vivian Green and Fantasia. The classy, brassy, and bold talent of DIVINE is taken to a plain of musical mastery and continues to dominate the Global Independent charts over 10 weeks at top 10!  

Lisa Marie has been performing for more than 20 years. She was opened for artist like Morris Day and the Time, Hiroshima, and the Drifters. She is also a recording artists and her song she wrote "Selfish" has been on the top of the music charts for weeks. The Los Angeles Lakers Organization asked her to perform the National Anthem at one of their games in Los Angeles and she proudly accepted. Recently she was cast in a movie where she sings and plays a Gospel Singer. Lisa is always helping other artists along the way. She now has a TV Channel on the Roku Network that streams 24/7 called "Inside Indie Artists". She features Indie Artists all over the US, including musicians from London and Germany. The Lisa Marie Show where she interviews musicians is now featured on Blog Talk Radio. You can find her at www.LisaMarieSings.com

Robin-Sailor Zander is a twenty-one-year-old singer-songwriter from Clearwater, Florida, who has been performing her whole life. Her father being a rock musician in the band Cheap Trick has guided her towards a similar path. Growing up on tour, doing radio, and being in studios such as Blackbird and A&M have shaped much of who she is. Having previously performed with the Super American Circus, Zander Family Band, and participating in productions such as Rock Meets Classic with Alice Cooper, she hopes to continue on to a career of her own in music and acting as she is currently studying at Emerson College.

Dollie Meredith is a singer songwriter with two independently produced and published works. A high school senior, DM has a 6.5 octave voice and enjoys doing covers in addition to writing her own music. Her favorite musicians include Boy George, Willow, Amy Winehouse and the GoGo's. Dollie Meredith loves animals and has two dogs and five chickens. She will be appearing at the Muscle Shoals Music Festival in November. She plans to attend Belmont College in Nashville next year and is eager to get to the "Music City"  to see what it holds for her.

Brianna Knight is a passionate and committed music professional coming from Spring Valley, New York. The 2 time Apollo performer and current jingle writer for Chime describes her music as healing and intentional for her listeners. Taking inspiration from Lauryn Hill, Donny Hathaway, and Jill Scott, she uses her poetry and comforting melodies to paint pictures for her listeners. Growing up in a starving artist community, she found it important to try new things and think outside of the box. She hopes to one day be able to be a voice for other black women and show that there is more to life than our suffering. For every up there is a down and for every down, there is an up and Brianna Knight exposes it all.

Kanysha Williams is a Washington Metropolitan Area native and a dynamic actress and singer. Kanysha began her formal voice training when she was 14 years old; a vocal performance major at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in Washington D.C. Upon graduation from Ellington, Kanysha studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and at George Mason University. She has had the honor of performing in some of the country’s most famous venues such as New York City's Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Recently, Kanysha has been seen in theatre performances in the Washington Metropolitan Area and beyond. Off stage, Kanysha works as a performer and museum educator for the Smithsonian Institute, as well as a private music instructor specializing in vocal and piano training. Kanysha recently came in as a Top 4 finalist in the nationally held Music Madness competition, beating out hundreds of artists during the contest, which led to her signing with C2 Records in February.

Josie was brought up in Rhode Island with her Puerto Rican family and she feels so lucky to have been able to relocate to Florida and develop her singing and song writing skills along with her career as a successful real estate agent in St. Petersburg Florida. Josie loves Yoga and the beach, which supports her healthy lifestyle.

She is also extremely motivated to work with her church and has a passion to help the disadvantaged communities as part of her life long dream of assisting others achieve their full potential in life.

Bio to Follow