Cast and Crew - Fall 2024

CAST

Chris works as a local software engineer, and recently retired from the Air Force Reserve.  Music has always been a big part of his life.  Growing up, he played the clarinet all throughout school, and later picked up choral singing.  Since then, he's played in the pit orchestra for the area high school charity show, "Sing Out".  He's also dabbled in voice acting, and doing vocal covers of songs online.  He was introduced to The Caring Music Group by his father Reinhardt, who is a long-time member.  Chris additionally worked with the show’s choreographer, Pamela Hin, in “Sing Out.”   He enjoys jogging, music, technology, and has also developed a following as a freelance costume performer known as "Togo" the friendly wolf.  He couldn't be happier to be a part of the CMG cast!

CAST / GUITAR

John grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan where his love of music got started.  Since relocating here in 1993, he has been working in the local music scene as lead singer and leader of JB&Company, a very successful country music band opening for some of Nashville’s top music acts.  Being in The Caring Music Group is a new challenge!  I am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and stepping on stage with a great cast performing Tony’s awesome material.

CAST

As a teenager Mandy performed with the Upstairs Youth Ministry in the City Streets productions back in the 1980’s. This is what planted the seed for her appreciation and love of the theater. She was also in the Second Time Around reunion shows, Crazy ‘bout You and Next to You. She is thrilled to be sharing the stage again with old and new friends. Mandy is a secretary in the Penfield School District. In her spare time she enjoys camping, hiking and just being with her family and 3 cats. However, her greatest pleasure is loving and spoiling her 2 grandsons.

SONGWRITER, FOUNDER, DIRECTOR

Tony Falzano is a native of Albany, NY and a graduate of SUNY Geneseo. Tony has been writing music for more than 50 years. He studied composing for the stage with legendary Composer and Conductor, Lehman Engle. He learned the craft of songwriting from hit songwriters in New York and Nashville. While in Nashville, Tony was the Project Director for The Songwriters Guild. Later, he became an Adjunct Professor at Monroe Community College, where he taught classes in Music Business, Songwriting and Lyric Writing and The History of Rock and Roll. Currently, he is the Creative Director of The Caring Music Group, LLC. Tony sends love to his daughter, Lindsay and her husband, Ian, and their newborn, along with his son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Brenda and their two children, Mackenzie and Raelyn.

PERCUSSION (Friday)

A drummer and percussionist since he was 12 years old, Mick has played in many groups and musicals. He was an original band member of the Sing Out East Rochester annual performance, and most recently a founding member of the Beatles tribute band Mr. Mustard. Mick is happy to join the talents of Caring Music Group and provide toe-tapping rhythm to bring out the best in the performers. Please enjoy the show and tap your feet and clap your hands. Peace.

SOUND

A lifelong 19th Ward resident and a graduate of St. Monica’s School, Dan has generously provided audio-visual technical support for the show’s production. We are very grateful for his time, dedication and expertise which has been a great benefit to all our productions.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Julie was first involved in City Streets with her sister, Mary. From there, she went on to build sets, hang parachutes in the gym, layout programs and playbills and even sing and dance on stage. She greatly appreciates the time and energy the staff and cast donate to raise money for varied and worthy causes year after year.

CAST

David and his wife Sallie moved to Rochester in 1969.  Now retired after serving in the Rochester City Schools as a science teacher for 32 years, he spends his time as a volunteer at the Adaptive Workshop at CP of Rochester.  David became hooked on performing after being introduced to Gilbert and Sullivan by his friend and mentor, Jimmie B. Lobaugh.  He and his wife are enjoying their grandchildren, their two faithful dogs, and fixing up their home.

CAST / BASS GUITAR / WEBMASTER

From the early 1960’s to the present, John has always sung and played bass guitar in various, diverse musical groups. With a promotion from Xerox, he moved to Rochester in 1994 from Albany, NY. Looking to get back into performing music again in his new hometown, a chance conversation with his friend Jim led him to join the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus in 1999, which he performed with until 2018 – almost 20 years! One of its members (Terry Quataert) told him of the opportunity with The Caring Music Group, and John joined the group in the summer of 2016. John is excited to perform with this musical cabaret group of wonderfully talented singers and actors! Now that John is retired, leisure activities include gardening, science fiction (especially Star Trek), and bowling with the Rochester Historical Bowling Society. He lives in Chili with his devoted and loving spouse of 40+ years, Thom Hutchison.

CAST / MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Mary Kay “met the stage” in high school as one of Sheila Walsh’s original  “babies” appearing In Memories and Tony’s original musical, Good News.  She has enjoyed returning to the stage with other original “babies” and new friends, too. An Engineer and a Math teacher, she retired in 2018 to enjoy more time with her husband, Joe, and their 10 grandchildren. They now meander the south and west in their RV in the winter. She bakes, crafts and volunteers in several roles at St Christopher’s Church.

After a few years in the cast, Mary Kay joined the “business” side of the house taking on Facebook and YouTube site management and learning video editing to produce our virtual concerts. She enjoys the opportunity her role has given her to team up with her lifelong friend, Laura and to forge personal connections with the beneficiaries CMG has served.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Pamela Scherer Hin is a graduate of Enidd Knapp Botsford School of Dance, where she performed as a principal ballet dancer and faculty member.  She has been teaching in the Rochester area for 40 years.  Her training involved studying under and performing with members of Ballet Russe, Boston Ballet Company, English National Ballet, New York City Ballet, Kirov Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Company and American Ballet Theatre.  Pamela completed teachers’ course with Jurgen Schneider, coach to Mikhail Baryshnikov in the Vaganova Syllabus.  She was the Ballet Director for Spins Dance Studio for 31 years and also was the choreographer for “Sing Out” Company of Rochester for 21 years and is the current choreographer for Penfield High School where she just completed working on her 8th musical.  Pamela trained to teach dance for people with Parkinson’s at the Mark Morris Dance Company, where she completed the online course, the introductory training course and the advanced training program.

Pamela has applied the principles of Dance as Medicine to people with fibrosis and lymphedema following treatment for cancer, musicians with postural demands and repetitive motions, and seniors with joint stiffness and arthritis.

PERCUSSION (Saturday)

Veteran musician, Charlie Avino has been playing drums since the third grade and formed his first band in fifth grade and from there he’s gone on to play for over 55 years writing, producing, recording, and touring. According to Charlie, “I am thrilled to be a part of tonight’s performance. And for playing for such a worthy cause.”

FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

Katie began volunteering as the Fundraising Coordinator with The Caring Music Group in 2021. She grew up surrounded by music (her dad is the one and only Tom Homer on keys!) and was thrilled to be able to lend fundraising talents to support this amazing group of humans. She currently works at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum as the Manager of Philanthropy. Prior to that, she spent over seven years raising money for her alma mater, the University at Buffalo.

CAST / BENEFICIARY SUPPORT

Flora has been singing in and around Rochester for over 40 years. Her experience includes radio jingles, a showcase performance in New York City, professional recordings for local songwriters, local theater productions, national anthems for AHL and NHL hockey teams and other sports teams, and several local bands including Giuseppe Scungili and the Screamin’ Seagull Review, which donated its time to several local charities. She, Rein and Tom recently reformed Justice and are currently performing at independent living facilities and nursing homes.

This fall, Flora worked behind the scenes with Willow Ridge Senior Living Communities to bring the REVS fundraiser to the stage.

CAST / WEBSITE SUPPORT

Lynn is thrilled to be part of her fourth fundraiser stage show with The Caring Music Group.  You'll also see her in several of the virtual concert videos. Lynn has sung in many choral groups in the Rochester area including First Unitarian Church choir, Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus (GVOC), Madrigalia, and First Inversion.  She loves theater and has performed, written, directed and produced productions with FirstLight Players, Pittsford Musicals, and Penfield Players.  She lives in Penfield with her husband, Thomas, where they raised two children who are now 20-somethings.  Many thanks for their loving support for this theater hobby!  Lynn had a long career in IT with Kodak and Kodak Alaris and is now the archivist at the SUNY Brockport library.  Making music gives life its flavor and spice, so she is most grateful to be part of this production to raise funds for these worthy causes!

CAST

Reinhardt started his musical journey at three and a half years old learning violin from his father.  Throughout the years he has expanded his musical experiences by learning to play multiple instruments as well as becoming a singer.  He has toured with several music groups, played and recorded with scores of professional musicians, delved into musical theater and songwriting, and had his own bands over the years.  One of those bands, Justice, with longtime friends Flora and Tom, has recently reformed and is bringing their music and fun to independent living facilities and nursing homes.  Even though his career path veered into real estate sales over the last 40 years, his passion remains his music.

PIANO

Tom, who’s been a “key” figure in a number of local bands, had been looking for something different to play and came across The Caring Music Group and its creative writer, cast and staff.

Tom describes his background as “having wasted childhood piano lessons and a perfectly good SUNY Fredonia education to play loud music at bars, parties and weddings.”  Still playing these venues, you'll also find him at independent living facilities and nursing homes with longtime friends, Flora and Rein, entertaining as their recently reunited trio Justice.  He’s played keyboard with bands of all sizes and descriptions. He's very happy to be a part of this show.

GUITAR

Steve is a Guitarist, Vocalist, Producer, Composer, and Audio Engineer. He has performed all over the New England area with bands including Over Easy, Rock-It-Science and the Steve Wayne Band. Steven has written many songs and has two albums streaming on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

DEVELOPMENT

Laura’s connection to The Caring Music Group dates back to the 1970’s and the first musicals performed with the St. Augustine’s/St. Monica’s youth.  In 2019, she joined the behind the scenes business management team of The Caring Music Group.  She also volunteers with the Notre Dame Learning Center and Holy Trinity Church.  A Wegmans retiree, Laura lives in Webster with her husband, Ron.