Cesar De La Rosa: Born to Sing

Johanna Kurkela is the lead singer of progressive folk group, Auri. If you open heart and ear to the mesmerizing, hauntingly beautiful soundscapes of AURI, you might find a beacon of light inside a sonic realm untouched by today’s often scary, grim realities; a dreamscape that can be profoundly uplifting. On their third studio album, III - Candles & Beginnings' the stars have aligned yet again. Propelled by the unique and celestial voice of Johanna Kurkela, the magical textures of Nightwish mastermind Tuomas Holopainen and the almost unlimited musical palette of Nigtwish multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley, Auri have presented a world to be unlocked with the senses, blending folk, progressive and symphonic elements, world music, pop and avantgarde.     Right after completing Nightwish’s 2024 monument Yesterwynde, the songwriting for the third chapter in Auri’s musical adventures started in 2023, with Troy writing in Yorkshire and Tuomas and Johanna working their creative magic in Kitee, Finland. By Autumn 2024, a 10-song demo was complete, setting the stage for what would become another breathtaking Auri journey. The band and their trusted engineer Tero "Teecee" Kinnunen took the mixing process to sunny Spain, letting the Andalucian vibes infuse the music whereas in March 2025 mastering was wrapped up by Tim Oliver at the legendary Real World Studios - a ground-breaking recording complex started by Peter Gabriel in 1989. The album is a tapestry of emotions - each song a world of its own, touching on childhood memories, vivid life experiences, and even a nod to one of the group’s most beloved places on Earth - The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, a historic spot nestled in the North York Moors and one of the most remote pubs you will ever find. Visually, the cover artwork by Pete Voutilainen, layout and watercolors by Mikko Pankasalo plus calligraphy by Johanna Kurkela provide wonderful illustrations perfectly capturing Auri’s unique musical visions. With guest musicians like Frank Van Essen (strings), Jonas Pap (cello), Juho Kanervo (basses), and the incredible drumming and percussion courtesy of Nightwish’s Kai Hahto, Auri III - Candles & Beginnings is as lush as it is atmospheric and provides astonishing dynamics. Having been a studio endeavour in the past, Auri is finally going on tour with their first-ever live European trek kicking off in August 2025, followed by summer festivals in 2026, allowing you to hear, see and feel songs from their previous two albums, as well as brand new pieces from III - Candles & Beginnings (such as the atmospheric new video's ‘Shieldmaiden’ and ‘Museum Of Childhood’). Its been a long time coming, but coming it is...

Lucie Burns is an Industry Leading Performance Coach, Speaker, and bestselling Author of "The Art of Live Performance Unlocked". She is the Founder of Stage Ready Artists and Host of The Singing Buddha Podcast. She was named 'A performance coach to follow' by LA Weekly, and has been featured on two TV documentaries, showcasing her transformational work with musicians. Lucie believes in creatively nurturing the person behind the performer, working holistically and intuitively, focusing on the connection between mind, body and emotion.   With nearly 30 years in the industry, Lucie’s unique approach makes her a go-to expert for those looking to own the stage and transform their craft. She is also known as the artist, songwriter and music producer Lazy Hammock. She has achieved 4 x #1s, released 11 self-produced albums, and amassed over 25 million streams. Her music has been licensed to TV shows and major labels including Sony BMG, Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, and EMI. 

Cesar De La Rosa is a singer, most well-known for being the baritone member of the a cappella group VoicePlay. In his city of Orlando, Florida, he’s recognized as a singer-songwriter and special events producer, with his ten toes in countless shows year-round. In his friends’ circles, Cesar is known as a mystical and deeply silly elf, with a dark sense of humor and an awful sense of style. Finally, in his mother’s eyes, Cesar is just her youngest baby boy—who loves to sing.

Rachel Potter, an acclaimed Broadway star and accomplished Nashville Recording artist, has been recognized by US Weekly as "One to Watch" and praised by the Hollywood Reporter for her "crystalline vocals." With a successful career in both musical theater and country music, Rachel has showcased her talent on stages of all sizes.  Rachel's impressive resume includes her turn as the ever “popular” Glinda u/s on the National Tour of Wicked. Next, she made her Broadway debut as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, where she shared the stage with Bebe Neuwirth and Brooke Shields as Morticia. She then went on to originate the role of the Mistress in the Tony Nominated revival of Evita, alongside Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris. Her standout performance on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the production, singing the poignant song "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," further solidified her place in the Broadway community. Residing in Nashville, TN, Rachel remains focused on recording and writing music, as well as enjoying a successful career in real estate. Balancing her professional endeavors with her most important role as “mommy” to Jude, Elliot, and Myla, Rachel's passion for music and family shines through in all aspects of her life. Stay connected with Rachel on social media @therachelpotter.

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.