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Hermann's host the Power of a Dream fundraiser

The Pacific Training Centre for the Blind Presents "Power of the Dream," A Benefit Concert in support of the Blind People in Charge Program

The Pacific Training Centre for the Blind Presents "Power of the Dream," ABenefit Concert in support of the Blind People in Charge Program thisSaturday, April 8 2 PM - 4PM at Hermanns Jazz Club. Featured Artists Include:-Sky Mundell, Marcelina Stanton, The VIP Singers and Tom Dekker. Performerbios are below.The Pacific Training Centre for The Blind, a local nonprofit serviceorganization founded and run by blind people, will host its sensational"Power of the Dream" benefit concert to help raise funds for and spreadawareness about its empowering programs. Come and celebrate the talents ofblind and sighted performers in a fun atmosphere with tasty food and a fullbar service. Door prizes and auction items will also be available. WHEN: This Saturday April 8th 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM WHERE: Hermann's Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria COST: $15 in advance, $20 at the door.ADVANCE TICKETS: Available at The Disability Resource Centre 817 Fort Streetor call 250-580-4910, or email elizabeth@pacifictrainingcentre.caBios of PerformersMarcelina StantonMarcelina Stanton is a Singer, guitar player and Spanish teacher who arrivedin Canada from Chile in the year 2000. She's currently the director of theVIP Singers along with other singing groups. She also performs on her ownand with friends.She's married to Matthew and lives on the Malahat with her husband anddog-guide Nelson.Tom DekkerTom Dekker moved to Victoria three years ago from Ontario. He spent much ofhis youth playing in a diverse range of bands from country to rock toNewfoundland folk even an Italian Wedding Band. Tom has a three-year undergraduate Audio Music Industry Arts Production diploma. He regularly performsat Gorge-ous Coffee in Victoria.Lara CaltonLara Calton, originally from Northern Ontario, has been living in Victoriafor nearly 6 years. She has been singing with various choirs, singingpartners, and groups since she was a child, and especially loves singingcovers of soul, Motown, folk, rock and other oldies songs. She was fortunateenough to meet Tom Dekker a few months ago and is enjoying every opportunityto sing and perform with him.Kelsey HampsonKelsey Hampson has been playing the piano since she was three years old,despite steadily losing her hearing since age four. She received a cochlearimplant at age 17, which lets her hear music better than she ever couldbefore. Kelsey is currently 24 years old and is teaching herself grade ninepiano with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her friend Erin Lacharity, 37years old, has been totally blind since birth and has been singing invarious choirs since elementary school. Kelsey is currently teaching Erinpiano, voice, and music theory, and in the near future they will be learningto read Braille sheet music.Sky MundellAt age 17 with no training, Sky Mundell played jazz classics on the pianoextremely well. In 2011, at age 19, he won "Vancouver Island's Got Talent."Sky  plays the piano in the style of the jazz greats of the 40's 50's andsixties.VIP SingersTwo local women formed the VIP Singers 16 months ago; they wanted to sing ina choir which would be accessible for blind and partially sighted folks whojust wanted to sing.  They approached Marcelina to be the Director and Skyand Tom, to be the accompanists.  Marcelina arranges the songs and teachesthe harmonies which the choir learns by ear.  Sky picks up the melody fromMarcelina's guitar and adds his own signature to the songs and they all helpeach other memorize the words.  The VIP Singers perform in seniors' homes,hospitals and for social groups. Last summer they gave two outdoor concertsat the community piano near the Oak Bay Marina Restaurant.