Get Amp'd to join us for this Solo Showcase at the iconic Metro Chicago! Singers from every level of our programs ages eight and up will take center stage in front of a live audience to perform contemporary classics, modern hits and original music. They will also receive invaluable feedback from a panel of artists, music professionals and local legends that will help them fine-tune their craft as individual performers.
Timeline
Doors: 11am
Set Times: 11:30am-1pm, 2pm-3:30pm, 4:30-6pm.
Ticketing
Tickets are $10* per person, available for purchase at the concert. Get Amp'd is general admission only, and limited seating is available. Your ticket ensures access to the Metro for all three sets, including reentry.
*Uniting Voices Chicago has a pay-what-you-can policy, allowing guests to pay as much or as little as they like per ticket, including requesting free tickets if desired*
Accessibility
Uniting Voices Chicago strives to make music and performance accessible to anyone who wants it. To request accommodations, including seating, please email info [at] unitingvoiceschicago [dot] org.
The event will be standing room only with limited seating. There will be an accessible seating area on the main floor and limited seating on the second floor. There are stairs leading up to the main floor.
All bathrooms during the event will be gender neutral.
Event Experience
The bar will be open serving beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks. Please note the bar is cash only. There is an ATM on site, but we recommend getting cash in advance if you plan on ordering a drink.
Singers are listed alphabetically by set.
Set #1 (11:30am-1pm)
Thea Black
Scarlett Burnett
Renee Das
Veronica DeLew
Ellie Gagle
Jared Gong
Evan Hatchimonji
Sophia Hickombottom
Vikram Konkimalla
Raia Magana
Leyla Mbanefo
Kira Patel
Milan Peacock
Lincon Reed
Sophia Salinas
Avery Veldman
Anyi Wang
Set #2 (2-3:30pm)
Arasi Arivarasu
Sophia Chandler
Mayumi Felder
Amelia Holly
Lillian Krane
Suhail Kuznetsov
Iris Lee
Maya Manglavil
Frances Mulcahey
Wren Porterfield
Anthony Rosario
Kainoah Rutledge
Shreya Sharma
Helena Sheikh
Katelynn Walters
Evelyn Wood
Sydney Zamora
Set #3 (4:30-6pm)
Ren Boraz
Morgan Boyd-Shields
Daelyn Calloway
Elisabeth Cami
Chloe Combs
Stella Corotis
Sofia Gutierrez-Uribe
Jayden Hatcher
Ayla Kaynor
Emily Kirkpatrick
Vali Kizilbash
Isabel Loza
Simone Marino-Beard
Myah Morris
Danielle Murray
Jackson O’Brien
Atlas Salomon
Sophia Smith
Ella St. John
Naava Stein
Alumni, Board Members and other Uniting Voices supporters from the music industry will join the event to provide joyful, constructive feedback for our singers!
Jill Hopkins is the Director of Civic Events at Metro and Gman Tavern. She’s also a music journalist with a hearty radio and podcast career that includes hosting duties for Vocalo and CHIRP Radio, as well as the Opus and Making Beyoncé podcasts. You can see her performing comedy at and emceeing live lit events such as The Moth, The Paper Machete, and Write Club. She’s a musician and club DJ, and she’s one of the newest on air pledge hosts on Chicago’s own WTTW-TV. Find her across social media platforms @jillhopkins.
Uniting Voices Alum
DJ Kontrol, professionally known as Cory Cleggett, is a dynamic DJ and music professional dedicated to transforming every event into an unforgettable experience. With a passion for sound that blends energy, precision, and creativity, he delivers expertly crafted sets that span genres and eras — from high-energy club anthems to smooth blends and creative mashups that keep dance floors moving.
A proud alumni of Uniting Voices Chicago, Cory Cleggett brings both technical expertise and artistic vision to every performance. His professional training, combined with real-world experience, allows him to read the crowd effortlessly, build momentum, and create a seamless musical journey tailored to each event.
Known for his versatility and engaging presence behind the decks, DJ Kontrol performs at private events, weddings, corporate functions, and nightlife venues, consistently delivering high-quality sound and an elevated atmosphere. His commitment to professionalism, clean transitions, and crowd connection sets him apart in any setting.
Uniting Voices Board Member
For over three decades, Joe Shanahan has been a renowned independent promoter in the Chicago music community. As owner of Metro, smartbar, and GMan Tavern, he has championed artists of all disciplines at local, national, and international levels. He has helped cultivate Chicago’s cultural fabric by participating in industry panels and music business conferences, along with hosting Columbia College Chicago’s Biggest Mouth competition, YCA’s Louder Than A Bomb poetry slam, and Theo Epstein’s Hot Stove, Cool Music benefit concert. In addition to Uniting Voices Chicago, he serves on the board of Young Chicago Authors The Frankie Knuckles Foundation and leads philanthropic efforts supporting the ACLU, Lakeview Pantry, Planned Parenthood, The Night Ministry, and other local grassroots charities.
Gerry Barad, is a former Uniting Voices Board of Directors member and Executive VP, Booking at Live Nation Global Touring, a division of Live Nation. Baradhas been a music industry trailblazer for more than 35 years. Barad and his world-class team have promoted and produced most of the top-grossing tours of the last four decades with past and present clients including Beyoncé/Jay-Z, U2, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and the Rolling Stones. His passion for live entertainment also extends beyond the world of rock and pop and into the world of theater. An avid theater patron, his appreciation of the fine arts came at an early age with his love for the theater, musicals, and classic films. Originally hailing from the beautiful and rugged coast of Vancouver, Canada, Barad has resided in Chicago since 2010. Barad often shares his passion for the music industry and has had a major association with Berklee for the past 18 years. In 2010, he delivered the James G. Zafris lecture and is a frequent guest professor and lecturer at Berklee. In addition, Barad is the board chairman of the recently formed Berklee Popular Music Institute. Six years ago, he personally funded an annual scholarship for Berklee students in need of financial assistance.
Uniting Voices Alum
Sima Cunningham is a Chicago-based musician, producer, and presenter. Over the past 15 years she has worked as a recording and touring musician with Jeff Tweedy, Richard Thompson, Iron & Wine, Chance the Rapper, Twin Peaks, and been featured on over thirty records. She co-owns a recording studio in Chicago, Fox Hall, where she produces records for her own projects and other artists. In 2015 she co-founded the experimental indie-rock band Finom (fka OHMME), which has been celebrated as “the heart of the Chicago music community”. Finom has since released three records including a self-titled EP and the acclaimed LPs, Parts and Fantasize Your Ghost (Joyful Noise Recordings). The band has been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, Pitchfork, Paste, Chicago Tribune, Spin, Interview, and Rolling Stone.
Uniting Voices Alum and Ambassadors Board Member
Madeline Dowling is the Chicago-based Senior Music Producer at Detroit-based ad agency, Doner. She is responsible for developing sonic branding for a broad range of clients/brands including Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Neutrogena and many others. From an early age, Madeline knew that she wanted to work in music and after trying on many hats (show promotion, record label, booking agency, music PR, talent buying, and even a stint with The Grammys) she finally landed her dream gig as a Music Supervisor in 2013. She has worked with top brands like Kraft, Disney, Cadillac, and Apple as well as on hit TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, Empire and Scandal. Previous to her work with Doner, Madeline's career included roles at creative agency mcgarrybowen (Chicago), Chop Shop Music Supervision (LA), Good Ear Music Supervision (LA), Marmoset (Portland), as well as a robust freelance career. When she's not eagerly keeping up with music's hottest trends or falling down rabbit holes from music's past, Madeline enjoys creating custom glitter graphics, picking up litter while listening to podcasts, and visiting hole-in-the-wall bars or Michelin Star restaurants.
Uniting Voices Alum
Vasil Garvanliev was born and raised in Macedonia and has been in the music world professionally since the age of seven. Now in his thirties and having lived over two decades in Chicago, Milano, Toronto and London, he is currently settled in Chicago and finishing up his first English EP, Porcelain Soldier. His 30 year professional music journey took him from child pop star, to a member and soloist of Uniting Voices Chicago to over 50 roles as a Leading Baritone Opera singer, to representing Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest in both 2020 with "YOU," and 2021 with his original composition "Here I Stand." His most recent project is a holiday EP, Christmas Day, which featured Uniting Voices Chicago on two songs. Whenever words fail - Vasil just sings.
Meryl Luzzi is a talent executive and manager with over 15 years experience. Prior to becoming a manager, she was a talent agent for 13 years at Paradigm Talent Agency (now Wasserman) and Liaison Artists and was responsible for routing and executing global tours for many Grammy-nominated artists. Prior to moving to Chicago, she lived and worked in LA, London and NY. Her expertise in the live music industry and leadership qualities, earned her a spot as one of IQ Magazine's New Bosses. Her commitment to artist development, championing independent artists and women in music has been the cornerstone of her career.
Uniting Voices alum
itoldLexi is a soul-stirring R&B singer-songwriter from Chicago, known for her powerful vocals, magnetic stage presence, and emotionally rich songwriting. From a young age, her expressive voice and multidimensional musicality caught the attention of industry leaders—opening doors to major performances and igniting a lifelong passion for creating music that speaks from the heart. Before attending Berklee College of Music, Lexi was a member of the acclaimed Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly known as the Chicago Children’s Choir), where she performed alongside artists like Chance the Rapper, Boyz II Men, Eddie Veder, Yo-Yo Ma and more. She later took the stage at Lollapalooza 2022 with Peter Cottontale and performed in Chance the Rapper’s “Chi-Town Christmas” virtual concert in 2020. After spending four years in London, Lexi earned her Master of Arts in Songwriting from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in 2023. She has since returned to her hometown of Chicago, where she brings her dynamic performances to the local music scene while continuing to mentor emerging artists as a vocal coach and songwriting tutor. Her growing discography includes fan favorites like “Just Breathe” (2021), “24 Hours” (2022), “Options” (2023), sophomore EP Unconditionally, Lexi (December 2023), and last single “Time” (October 2024), a reflective piece exploring personal growth and resilience. With her signature blend of soul, vulnerability, and purpose, itoldLexi is poised to launch the next chapter of her career as an internationally recognized performing artist—bringing her heartfelt R&B and soul to live audiences in Chicago and beyond.
Erik Soderstrom began working at the Ravinia Festival in 2000 while also pursuing a law degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago Law School. Prior to law school, Soderstrom’s passion for music blossomed while a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At U.W. Soderstrom worked on the famous memorial union music and entertainment committee programming live music for several venues and events throughout the campus. After graduating from law school, he practiced entertainment law, representing recording artists, theatres, presenters and working with the City of Chicago to present a seminar educating venues on safety procedures. With a solid background in law and strong experience in programming, Soderstrom became a perfect fit for the artistic department of the Ravinia Festival where he serves as Senior Director of Programming and oversees all artistic programming, serves as liaison between Ravinia and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, developed production staff, and uses his contract knowledge with performance agreements, commissioning agreements and licensing agreements. From 2012-2024, Soderstrom taught Music Festival Management in the School of Music at DePaul University.
Uniting Voices Alum
Ayanna Woods is a GRAMMY-winning composer, performer and Uniting Voices Chicago alum from Chicago. Her music explores the spaces between acoustic and electronic, traditional and esoteric, wildly improvisational and mathematically rigorous.