Dance on a Moonbeam

"Charming, touchingly sung, with soulful virtuosity and capped by a final aria of dazzlingly gracious command - one of America's finest artists and singers." - The New York Times

Endowed with a supple mezzo-soprano voice of shining radiance, and a presence distinguished by its genuine warmth and elegance, Frederica von Stade captivates audiences worldwide, and is recognized as one of the great opera stars of our time.

Miss von Stade is acclaimed for her stunning portrayals in leading roles at major international opera houses. She is a favorite soloist in concert with the most prestigious orchestras in the United States and vocal recitalist who frequently gives sold-out recitals in capital cities throughout the world.

Well known through her numerous featured appearances on "Live From Lincoln Center" telecasts, and her discography which includes dozens of recordings ranging from the songs of Canteloube and Debussy to the operas of Mozart and Rossini, and most recently to the musical theater works of Rodgers and Hammerstein (The Sound of Music) and Jerome Kern (Showboat), this renowned star is acclaimed by audiences everywhere.

The recording industry has honored her work with 6 Grammy Nominations (U.S.), 2 Grand Prix du Disque Awards (France), The Schallplatten Prize (Germany) and the Premio della Critica Discografica (Italy). Frederica von Stade is also the recipient of a special Presidential commendation in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep's great empathy for her characters and the diversity of women she has chosen to portray has distinguished her work in film, television, and theater for more than two decades. She has won the Academy Award twice, as Best Actress for Sophie's Choice (1982) and Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). In 1999 she was nominated by the Academy for the eleventh time, as Best Actress for her portrayal of a mother dying of cancer in One True Thing. And in 2000, the academy recognized her again, nominating her for Best Actress for her work in Music of the Heart, in which she starred as an inspirational violin instructor in a tough East Harlem school.

A graduate of Vassar and Yale Drama School, she began her career onstage and appeared in seven plays during her first season in New York. She won the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Theater World Award, an Obie, and a Tony nomination.

Early in her career, in television, Streep won an Emmy for her work in the miniseries "Holocaust", and more recently, an Emmy nomination for "First, Do No Harm" in which starred and co-produced.

Streep made her film debut in Fred Zinneman's Julia, with Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave, then starred opposite Robert DeNiro in The Deer Hunter. After supporting roles in Woody Allen's Manhattan and The Seduction of Joe Tynan, she won her first Oscar for her work with Dustin Hoffman in Kramer vs. Kramer. A string of memorable films followed, including The French Lieutenant's Woman; Sophie's Choice (directed by Alan Pakula); Mike Nichols's Sillwood; Falling in Love; Plenty; Sydney Pollack's Out of Africa, with Robert Redford; Heartburn (again for Nichols); and Ironweed, both opposite Jack Nicholson.

She next starred as Lindy Chamberlain, the Australian mother accused of murder in A Cry in the Dark, directed by Fred Schepisi, for which she won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival. She turned to comedy in Susan Seidelman's She-Devil, then played Carrie Fisher's alter ego in Postcards from the Edge, for which she won the American - Comedy Award for Best Actress. After co-starring with Albert Brooks in his take on the afterlife in Defending Your Life, she traveled to Europe to co-star with Vanessa Redgrave, Glenn Close, and Winona Ryder in Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits. She returned to play opposite Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis in Robert Zemeckis's rumination on plastic surgery and life in Beverly Hills, Death Becomes Her.

More recently, she won acclaim for her work in The Bridges of Madison County, The River Wild, Marvin's Room, Dancing at Lughnasa, One True Thing, and Music of the Heart. In September 1999, she received the Gotham Lifetime Achievement Award from the Independent Film Project in New York. She has been married to sculptor Don Gummer for twenty-two years. They have three teenagers and a fourth grader.

Christopher Brubeck

"Brubeck's new album is a major musical event - Brubeck and Crofut are two of the most inventive pioneers in this melting pot of orchestral music and multi-genre American popular music." The Stamford Advocate

The third son in the musical Brubeck family, Chris is a composer, Iyricist, orchestral arranger, musical educator, and performer who plays four instruments. He enjoys a very active and diverse career feeling at home playing Jazz, Rock, Folk, Funk and Classical Music.

The Koch International recording "Bach to Brubeck" featuring Chris, Bill Crofut & Joel Brown as soloists with The London Symphony Orchestra is the newest reflection of Chris' multiple talents.

Recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London, "Bach to Brubeck" is the culmination of years of successful orchestral concerts given by Crofut, Brubeck & Brown throughout the United States. Bill Crofut was an innovative banjo player, singer and pioneering "crossover artist" who made many wonderful recordings. Chris Brubeck and Bill were friends and musical collaborators since Chris' early teens and especially in the last decade, they made some highly regarded recordings together. Bill & Chris produced "Across Your Dreams" (Telarc) with Frederica Von Stade singing many of Chris' original songs. After hearing that beautiful CD Dawn Upshaw invited Crofut, Brubcck & Brown to join her in making her Carnegie Hall debut. That same constellation later performed a national BBC live radio concert, broadcast throughout England. The tour culminated with a sold out performance in London's Barbican Theater. A few songs from that tour will be featured on Crofut's final project "Dance on a Moonbeam" which Telarc released in July of 2000. Chris & Suzy Crofut (Bill's wife) spent much of 1999 doing the post production on this last recording. Crofut, Brubeck & Brown who previously released "Unsquare Dance" (their first studio recording) and "Red, White & Blues" a live concert recording from Goshen College for Albany Records performed for a last time together on "Dance on a Moonbeam." Guitarist Joel Brown, and Chris Brubeck continue their eclectic fusion of jazz, folk, & blues with the addition of harmonica virtuoso Peter "Madcat" Ruth. This new group, collectively known as "Triple Play" expand on the Crofut tradition of breaking down the walls of musical classification, performing with Orchestras and on College Campuses throughout North America.

Chris' versatility and unique family background guarantees his continued involvement in the Jazz world. Wearing so many musical hats often results in a challenging, demanding, and rewarding schedule. Chris co-leads The Brubeck Brothers Quartet along with Dan Brubeck, who besides being Chris younger brother, is a fantastic drummer whose solos have electrified audiences all over the world. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet perform at concert halls, colleges, and festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada.