Newport Music Studio to Host Concert Benefiting Under-served Teens & Children with Disabilities

  ORANGE COUNTY,CA - 05/26/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

The 10th Annual OC Pop Concert will showcase young local musicians, vocalists, and dancers from Newport Beach and surrounding areas to benefit the Melody Makers Foundation Scholarship Program (MMFSP), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) based in Orange County.  The foundation provides both underserved, talented kids & teens the opportunity of music and dance free of cost; and is positioned to bring the restorative power of music and dance to children with special needs, in particular, children with autism and motor impairment. 

Parents report that music has proven to be a valuable tool to reach children with autism and at times music can be the only thing that can reach their children when nothing else will.  Parents of children with motor impairment report that music and dance is a motivating catalyst that has proven to enhance speech, motor coordination, cognition and relaxation that supports an increase in the range of motion of tight muscles. The concert will be held at Ocsa’s exquisite Margaret A. Webb Theatre, 801 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92701.  Featuring Melody Makers’ Artist Development students, pre-production students, and local up-and-coming teen recording artists, who are currently being developed by Melody Makers’ sister company, MDI (Music Development Inc.). MDI artists include:  Sabrina Von B (18), Danica Kenz (19), Malachi Almada (15), and MDI Jr.’s new artists, Zoe Sharek (12) and Jared Freedman (13). Many of these artists have rising singles on iTunes with rapid growing popularity on social media. More information can be found at MDIHITS.COM. Also performing is the incredibly talented, Ernie Figueroa, the foundation’s 2016/2017 Recording Scholarship Recipient.  Teen sensation, Skylar Stecker, named Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” generously hosted a “Meet-and-Greet” at Melody Makers OC Studio where she signed photos and took selfies with fans to help raise money for the foundation, which helped to support Ernie’s scholarship. 

Spearheading this family friendly concert is Scholarship founder, Melanie Andrews, CEO/Director of Melody Makers OC Artist Development. Melanie is adamant about giving back and knows firsthand that music and the arts matter in the lives of children and teens. Andrews has worked with thousands of children, teens, and witnesses how they thrive when given the opportunity to experience music and dance.  Melanie’s belief and passion is that music and dance is for everyone; whether a child/teen likes to sing and dance for fun, if they have a serious vision for the music/performance industry, or if a child with special needs can benefit from the healing properties of music and dance.

Melanie brings extensive experience to this mission. She is an award-winning, multi-platinum, singer/songwriter/vocal producer. As a musical child prodigy, Andrews grew up to co-write songs and sing for famous artists and groups, including Earth, Wind and Fire, Janet Jackson (a #1 Billboard hit song), and a catalog of many others.  She’s worked with labels such as Interscope, Warner Brothers, Universal, Disney, A&M, Geffen and Famous Music, a Paramount Picture Company.  Melanie and her team also produce T.V./movie soundtracks with a diverse clientele involving them in all aspects of the music/entertainment field. 

Andrews credits her grandfather, Snooky Young, world-renowned trumpet player, for teaching her the beauty of speaking through music, and instilling the values of working hard, being humble and giving back to your community. 

Notable companies donating services/items for the foundation’s Silent Auction are Barkate Orthodontics, The Skin Center, Kendra Scott, Tom Ford, Massage Envy, Hi Time Wine Cellars, Nékter Juice Bar, Holly Marie Jewelry, and more. The Concert’s title sponsor is hotpopradio.com Platinum Sponsor is the “Mustard Cafe” Newport Coast, CA location, www.mustardcafe.com  and Gold sponsor is “A Kids’ Dentist” located in Huntington Beach, CA  www.akidsdentist.com.

Tickets can be purchased online at melodymakersoc.com/oc-pop-concert-2017/                  For more information about the OC Pop Concert and the Melody Makers Foundation Scholarship Program, please call 949.423.5710. Or visit melodymakersoc.com/scholarship/      Melody Makers OC Artist Development and the Melody Makers Foundation Scholarship Program are located at 4120 Birch Street, Suite 122 Newport Beach, CA 92660.