CHIKEZIE

Born Chikezie Eze, in Inglewood, California to his parents Richard Eze and Chika Emerueh Eze who emigrated from Nigeria, he began singing at the tender age of 13. He has a younger brother (Obinna Eze) and an older sister (Odochi Eze). Chikezie attended high school at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies and Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas.

Chikezie first auditioned for American Idol, Season 6. He made it through to Hollywood Week, where, unfortunately he didn’t make the top 24. Undeterred, he returned and successfully auditioned again for Season 7 when the show made its rounds in San Diego. Chikezie made vast improvements, impressing the judges with, "All the Woman I Need" by Luther Vandross, Chikezie. This effectively earned his ticket to Hollywood. Once there, he beat the competition and became one of the prestigious top 24., moving onward to the top12 and making it to the elite top 10 American Idol, Season 7 tour.

After his elimination from American Idol on March 26, 2008, Chikezie has made appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, following a 3 month American Idol Concert tour.

Chikezie's musical influences are Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, John Legend, Sam and Dave, anyone that makes good music really. He loves performing. When he is performing, “it's always with the intention of lifting people's spirits and entertaining them."

David Hernandez

David Hernandez was born May 31, 1983 in Phoenix, Arizona, but grew up mostly in Glendale. He and his younger sister, Alexandra, were raised by their single mom, Spring Hernandez. He began singing at age six. His grandfather took him on his first audition for a local theater company named Valley Youth Theater. He got one of the lead roles and knew that singing and performing was the only thing out there for him. He was also a young gymnast and won ten medals in the Grand Canyon Olympics during that time. Hernandez had some acting experiences and was in an independent film before his American Idol journey. He also once had aspiration of becoming an infotainment show host.

Hernandez was a student at Arizona State University, majoring in broadcast journalism. During college, he had a job selling knives door-to-door. Before American Idol, he worked hard and took various jobs to support his living, including singing on cruise ships, working as a server at a pizza bistro, and working at night clubs. Hernandez also used to sing with a local Phoenix cover group called Tribe 7.

After he was eliminated on American Idol, David Hernandez made various appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Today Show, Access Hollywood, TRL, and TV Guide's Idol Tonight. He was subsequently asked to perform at The Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian where he sang "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (performed during the Top 20 week) and "In the Midnight Hour" (performed during the Top 24 week). He was also invited to sing the National Anthem at US Airways Centre (Phoenix, AZ) on April 4, 2008 for the Phoenix Roadrunners Hockey Game Finals, and on May 1, 2008, Hernandez made an appearance at TV Guide's Sexiest Stars 2008 Party.

It has been reported that major publishers are writing songs specifically for Hernandez. David aspires to have a pop- and R&B-influenced album out by 2009, on which he would like to write his own songs. "It's definitely going to be an eclectic kind of vibe. I'd like to put a little bit of rock and R&B in it too. That's the kind of image I want to put out there. I'm more of an R&B, grit-and-grind kind of singer."

Diana DeGarmo

Diana Nicole DeGarmo, named after the late Princess Diana of Wales, was born on June 16, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama. By the tender age of five years old, Diana was already used to the spotlight. Throughout her childhood, she made numerous appearances in singing competitions and pageants in and around the state of Georgia, even making it as far as performing at Nashville, Tennessee's legendary Grand Ole Opry, not surprising anyone by becoming widely admired and adored.  At an older age, Diana traveled to Scandinavia to try and pursue a career in music, but unfortunately nothing happened professionally and Diana's incredible talent was still unknown. It was after gaining recognition on the television show "America's Most Talented Kids" that Diana tried out for the incredibly popular, "American Idol." She was the first contestant chosen to be in the official and final Top 12. It was from there that Diana gained her American Idol success, placing second behind Fantasia Barrino among 70,000 hopefuls for the American Idol title.

Diana has continued to enjoy a fruitful career; releasing an album, touring across the country and the world, and even acting on Broadway, all at the tender age of 18.  Following her win on “Idol,” Diana released her single "Dreams" which became the third best selling single of the year. That summer, DeGarmo also recorded her debut album with RCA Records. Released December 7, 2004, "Blue Skies" showcased DeGarmo's amazing range and vocal prowess. While promoting the album, DeGarmo worked towards her high school diploma (then just 17) and graduated in 2005 with a 3.8 GPA and as a member of the National Honor Society and The Beta Club, impressive for a teenager juggling a singing career at the same time. DeGarmo also made her theatrical debut as Maria in the San Jose production of "West Side Story" in November 2005. DeGarmo impressed as Maria with both her singing and natural acting ability.  While looking into the movie version of "Hairspray" in 2005, DeGarmo was asked to audition for the Broadway production of "Hairspray". Not expecting to actually be cast, DeGarmo returned to Atlanta after the audition, only to find out that she had indeed been offered the role as Penny Lou Pingleton in the Broadway production of "Hairspray". At the same time, DeGarmo also auditioned for the national tour of Brooklyn: The Musical.  At the end of 2005, DeGarmo also went on a USO tour to entertain the troops in 13 countries overseas, including Afghanistan and Iraq. It was a life-changing experience for DeGarmo.  February 7, 2006 marked a new chapter in DeGarmo's career: Broadway. Debuting in the role of sidekick Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray", DeGarmo impressed doubters and fans alike, positioning herself as truly a force to be reckoned with. She also toured with Brooklyn: The Musical in the summer of 2006 with Tony Award winners Melba Moore and Cleavant Derricks.

Kimberley Locke

In the past few years Nashville native Kimberley Locke, a pop/R&B singer, has had eight Top 20 Adult Contemporary hits, three #1 Dance hits, and eight #1’s across various Billboard charts.

She gained fame with her participation in the 2003 American Idol^® television series where she placed third, and in 2007 she garnered media attention for her participation in Celebrity Fit Club.

At the age of 9, she and three childhood friends formed a quartet named Shadz of U, which performed at many local churches. Locke went to Gallatin High School, where she was one of sixteen members to participate in its performing group. She remained in the group throughout her high school years. She was also selected twice as a member of the All-Middle State Chorus.

In 2001, Locke received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing from Belmont University.

Locke has been active in many charities, particularly in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Locke’s first exposure to working with children living with HIV/AIDS was through her work with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She has since worked with other organizations, including YouthAIDS, the Davy Foundation and Camp Heartland. In recognition of her extensive charitable efforts as an HIV/AIDS activist, Locke was presented with the Red Ribbon Award in November 2007.

LEE MARTINO (Director/Choreographer)

Lee Martino works extensively in theatre and live events, as well as TV and film, and is thrilled to be working with such great talent. Theatre credits for Reprise Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where Lee is the resident choreographer include: I Love My Wife, starring Jason Alexander, Li’l Abner, starring Cathy Rigby, Damn Yankees, On The Town, Brigadoon, and On Your Toes. Martino has directed several concerts for Reprise including “Reprise Broadway’s Best,” “Broadway Babies” and “Freestyle” at the Ford Theatre. Recent work includes the world premiere of Silk Stockings at Musical Theatre West, Beehive at the El Portal Theatre The Full Monty and the critically acclaimed West Coast Premiere of Never Gonna Dance and Guys and Dolls for Musical Theatre West. Other credits include: I Do, I Do (Pasadena Playhouse), Wild Party (MTG), Grease for Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities, Side by Side by Sondheim at the Pasadena Playhouse. Lee has directed and choreographed several large-scale dance production shows for Harley-Davidson in Denver, San Diego, Dallas and Washington DC, Universal Studios’ New York Rascal Show, and Disney’s Santa Clause 3 Stage Show at the El Capitan. Other choreography highlights include: Disney’s Latin American Tour A Dream Is a Wish, IMPACT at FORD FIELD, the Gala Opening of the Lions Football Field in Detroit, starring Gladys Knight, the Grand Opening of the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs, the opening ceremony for the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio. Lee choreographs for several charities starring some of the leading stars of Broadway, film and television including: The Alzheimer’s Association, The Actor’s Fund, S.T.A.G.E., and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Most recently she directed What A Pair, a breast cancer benefit starring some to the industry’s biggest female stars. Lee’s work has earned her two Ovation Awards, Two LADCC Awards, Garland awards and many nominations. She was honored with an Ovation, a LADCC and Garland award for her work on On Your Toes for Reprise. Television and Film Credits include: Bravo’s “Step It Up & Dance”, NBC’s Hit Me Baby One More Time, the WB’s What I Like About You, Nickelodeon’s All That, Warner Bros.’ animated feature The King and I, and Sony Pictures’ Dark Wolf. Lee is a proud member of SSDC and holds an MFA in dance. Many thanks to Scott, Michael and Brian. Happy Holidays, enjoy the show!

MICHAEL ORLAND

Michael Orland is the pianist, arranger and associate music director for American Idol. During his tenure on Idol, he collaborated with such musical legends as Burt Bacharach, Diane Warren and Neil Sedaka. He has accompanied and conducted performances for many popular vocalists including Jennifer Holliday, Lainie Kazan, Barry Manilow and Chita Rivera. He made his Hollywood Bowl debut accompanying legendary MGM star Ann Miller. He is currently working on a solo piano album.

CHRISTOPHER POWICH (Production Stage Manager) conceived and directed both the Off-Broadway production of "Ethel Merman's Broadway" at the John Houseman Theatre, N.Y., as well as the Pasadena Playhouse production. Mr. Powich directed the world premiere of the comedy "Snap Shots" by Ralph Fredericks at the O'Neill Theatre in Waterford, Connecticut as well as the Boston company of that show. He created, directed and performed in "Class Act", a nightclub revue which toured the Eastern United States. As an actor, he performed regionally in leading roles in "The Music Man", "Oklahoma!", "The Most Happy Fella", "My One And Only", "Man Of LaMancha", "Oh, What A Lovely War", "Hello Dolly!", "Guys And Dolls", "Forty Carats", "Jazz Babies", "A Face Worth Saving", and "Oliver!". He will direct "Snap Shots" for an Off-Broadway run later this year.

Scott Stander & Associates, Inc. (Producer) is a full-service talent agency booking Broadway shows, national tours and sold-out concerts. In addition to American Stars in Concert, Scott’s Broadway and off-Broadway credits include Renée Taylor and Joe Bologna's It Had To Be You and If You Ever Leave Me...I'm Going With You, Frank Gorshin's Tony-nominated Say Goodnight, Gracie and Ethel Merman's Broadway starring Rita McKenzie. Other US tours Scott has produced include An Intimate Evening with Lynda Carter, Roslyn Kind in Concert, Shields & Yarnell, Love Letters starring Barbara Eden and Hal Linden, SUDS, the Musical, and the current tour of Ballroom with a Twist directed and choreographed by Dancing with the Stars’ Louis van Amstel.

Scott’s concert bookings have included Milton Berle’s 90th Birthday Celebration, Debbie Reynolds In Concert, Phyllis Diller and Steve Allen Together, and Shirley Bassey’s last U.S. concert tour. His clients have recently appeared in such films as “Bruce Almighty” and “Mulholland Drive” and on television in “The West Wing,” “Will & Grace,” “ER,” “Coldcase,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Lost,” “NCIS,” Ugly Betty,” “Entourage,” “Heroes,” as well as Lee Meriwether’s recurring role on “All My Children.”