Simone Simons: The Voice of Epica

Yannis Papadopoulos is the lead singer for heavy metal band, Beast in Black. The band's blend of power metal, 80s pop, and electronic music, as well as their energetic live performances, have made them pioneers of their genre. Beast in Black's current lineup further consists of founding member and primary songwriter Anton Kabanen, guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen, bassist Mate Molnar, and drummer Atte Palokangas. Please welcome Yannis Papadopoulos.

Simone Simons is the lead singer for symphonic metal group, Epica, that just released their 9th studio album, Aspiral. The album title is derived from the eponymous bronze sculpture made by Polish sculptor and painter Stanisław Szukalski back in 1965. It stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define Epica in 2025. In Szukalski’s work every detail is a piece of art on its own and there’s always more to the story than you initially think. The band saw this as the perfect analogy for the creation of this album: each song stands on its own with a distinctive vibe and meaning, while together they enforce each other into a monumental effort. At the same time this symbolizes EPICA’s group dynamic throughout this process: they have encouraged, inspired, and challenged each other repeatedly. Determined to achieve something that is greater than the sum of its parts, they left no stone unturned in their search for perfection. If it’s up to creative people to push boundaries, then this sextet sure did just that. When the band was preparing to write a new album, they kept this in mind: to create, you must destroy. As mentioned earlier, this meant destroying the individual ego and create as a unity. You’ll hear that this made the album even more personal and to the point. More alive and adventurous. But it also made EPICA destroy old underlying patterns to re-invent themselves and to create a bold new era for symphonic metal in general. The band felt the immense urge to focus on what really matters: emotions and melodies. In all capacities. As the new album is all about focus, the band asked contemporary sculptor Hedi Xandt (Rammstein, Ghost, Parkway Drive) to set all this into a stunning visual representation. It’s a bold statement and a homage all in one. If the number 9 represents divinity, perfection, and spiritual growth, then this album is the modern interpretation of just that. Musically, lyrically, and visually. Breathe in, breathe out, 2025 belongs to EPICA.

Eli Jacobson is a tenor vocalist and a core member of the internationally acclaimed a cappella group, VoicePlay. Known for their inventive arrangements and theatrical performances, VoicePlay gained national recognition as finalists on NBC’s The Sing-Off and became a fixture and fan favorite on The Sing-Off Live national tours. In addition, they’ve shared the stage with renowned artists such as Chicago, Robin Thicke, Steve Vai, Nick Lachey, Chris Daughtry, and Robert Randolph. Beyond his musical talents, Eli brings a wealth of business experience from his time in the entertainment industry and involvement in his family's business enterprises. He is also a proud father to his one-year-old son, Asher, and husband to Ashley. Eli is known for his impressively wide and powerful vocal range, which has been instrumental in shaping VoicePlay’s signature sound. The group has built a massive online following, amassing millions of fans across platforms like YouTube, where their viral performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide. In addition to his vocal prowess, Eli contributes his technological expertise to the group's productions, enhancing the quality and creativity of their content. His multifaceted skills have been pivotal in VoicePlay's continued success and innovation in the a cappella scene.

Anna Lea is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter, most known for her work as the voice of Penelope in EPIC: The Musical. She joined the cast of EPIC at just 17 years old, before finishing high school. Outside of EPIC, Anna has released a solo EP, The Dark Between the Stars, and more recently, a full-length album, Therapy. She is currently pursuing in master's degree in social work, and hopes to continue creating a career where all her passions can continue to flourish. Please welcome Anna Lea.

Nick Higgs, widely known on social media as Nick Higgs The Singer, is a multifaceted professional in the music industry. As a dedicated singer, voice teacher, and dynamic content creator, he has cultivated a substantial online presence, engaging over 500 thousand followers across various platforms. With a background that includes formal musical education from the University of Toronto, and experience performing in groups such as the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Nick combines classical training with a modern approach to music. He displays a strong passion for digital media, and actively motivates fellow musicians to embrace the digital world, emphasizing the importance of establishing a meaningful digital footprint. He shares vocal performances, educational content, and musical analysis to his large online audience. You can find him on social media at the username @nickhiggsthesinger.

Chicago-based JP Warner has amassed 200+ million streams on his records in his 10+ year career as a music producer/audio engineer. He began his career as a DJ, touring the country as part of then-duo MiNDTRiX. In 2019 he left MiNDTRiX to work behind the scenes, creating electronic & pop records with DJ Mag Top-100 DJs Excision, Tiesto, and more. Today, JP Warner is best known for his work on the viral Tiktok musical “EPIC” by Jorge Rivera-Herrans. Warner also notably serves as the primary producer/engineer for pop artist TE/MO as well as his own Cinematic artist project SPACELY. Warner proudly uses his platform to share resources and create a safe space for those struggling with their mental health. You can view his favorite resources here. For music artists, JP Warner Sound offers everything needed to create a radio-ready release: songwriting, production, vocal engineering, mixing, mastering, and conversion to Dolby ATMOS.

Composer, songwriter, and producer Alex Seaver (aka Mako) has created a unique niche for himself in the entertainment industry. He has released two best-selling albums; performed at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and EDC; and collaborated with the likes of Linkin Park, Marcus King, Sting, Pusha-T, Avicii, Madison Beer, and Alan Walker. A classically-trained musician, Seaver earned a full scholarship to Juilliard. Upon graduation, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film music. Alex has established himself as a songwriter and composer for Riot Games’ League of Legends, beginning in 2017. His first track, “Legends Never Die” (performed by Against the Current), has earned over 400 million streams on Spotify alone, while his role expanded with both seasons of Netflix’s League of Legends-based animated series, Arcane (2021, 2024). In addition to scoring the hit show with Alexander Temple, Alex co-wrote songs for the soundtrack, alongside Linkin Park, Marcus King, Pusha-T, Sting, Woodkid, Bea Miller, PVRIS, and others. Please welcome Alex Seaver.

Luke Holt is an actor, singer, and content creator, most known for his work as Zeus in EPIC: The Musical. Luke and Peter chat about how EPIC came together, the recording process, musical theater, voice acting, career goals, and much more. Please welcome Luke Holt.

David Michael Frank, artistically known as DMF, redefines the modern music scene with his extraordinary vocal range and a unique blend of alternative, pop, and rock, creating a sound that's both nostalgic and futuristic. A multi-instrumentalist and content creation expert, DMF has captivated over 3.5 million followers with deeply personal lyrics and a dynamic style. His musical journey, spanning a decade with various bands and culminating in the innovative 'Private Party Tour,' has led to the eagerly awaited release of his debut solo album. Recognized by Billboard Magazine and other major publications, DMF's compelling story and groundbreaking approach to music and production set him apart as a visionary artist and a rising force in the music industry. Please welcome David Michael Frank.

Emily Kristen Morris is an NYC-based actor, singer, dancer, certified vocal instructor, and popular online content creator (1.7 Million followers on TikTok). Emily has performed across the nation and internationally, and was most recently the Elphaba standby on the Broadway national tour of WICKED. Coming up next, Emily will be starring as Elsa in Paramount Theatre’s production of Frozen. Her past theatre credits include: Bea in the national tour of Something Rotten, White Plains Performing Arts Center (Daisy in Side Show), The Rev (Sophie in Mamma Mia), Cape Playhouse, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra (Nellie in South Pacific in concert), Gateway Playhouse, Weston Playhouse, and New York Musical Theatre Festival. Emily has also performed as a solo vocalist with symphony orchestras, including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in China, and the Norwalk Symphony. Her voice is also featured on Joey Contreras’ new album “In Pieces.” On social media Emily is popular for her voice-teaching videos, her singing covers, and her vocal-coach-reacts videos. When she's not performing, Emily runs her highly sought-after voice studio, EKM Vocal Studio, where she teaches lessons, masterclasses and workshops to passionate singers both virtually and in-person in NYC. Emily is certified through the Institute For Vocal Advancement (IVA), and received her BFA in musical theatre from the University of Cincinnati; College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).