AMBER BROWN                                                                                
Amber Brown, nickname “Brownie”, has an effervescence that is irresistible. Her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm when she’s singing and dancing.  Her family saw this passion for entertaining at an early age when she stole a microphone during a Christmas pre-school concert and belted out a medley of her favorite carols to a surprised but delighted audience. 

Amber loved singing in the Chapel and Gospel Choirs at her church.  She kept busy in school by singing, dancing and acting.  As a result, in her high-school and middle-school years she was honored by the International Thespian Society for her excellence in the theatrical arts.  
 

She was raised by a single mother who was supportive of her amazing talent and encouraged her to go in a musical direction.  Her compassion for humanity is shown by her involvement in the American International Mentoring program, Compassion International, B’Tselem, and World Vision.  She is involved with kids in after school programs as an activity counselor and a teacher.  She likes to bring out the creativity in kids and see their talents flourish.  


When she has spare time, she enjoys reading, dancing, journaling, taking walks and, of course, singing.  Her desire is to “make a difference,” so she does her best to practice what she preaches.   
 

Amber's thoughts on the Safety Girls: 

 “I am excited about this project because I see it making both a positive and educational message to kids all around the world, which is a dream come true for many of us.  I hope that it will keep growing and that kids will pay attention to the words so they can receive the full impact of care in them.”   

NIKKI  JABSON                                                                                                                                                                                Nikki Jabson enjoys singing in front of an audience no matter if they are teachers, peers, or parents.  Her family knew there was music in her future at an early age.  

 
Nikki grew up in Southern California doing all the normal things that kids do… hanging out with friends, playing volleyball, and singing in the church choir.  She has a close family, and they are the love, support, and inspiration that keep her grounded.  Her parents are in careers for which they are passionate and want Nikki to be able to live out her dreams.

 
Nikki’s talent for singing became apparent when she sang a stunning rendition of “Canta Y No Llores”, a song she learned from her late grandfather.  She took private voice lessons with Diane Serrano-Pons and sang all through junior high and high school performing in her school and church choirs.  Nikki’s real musical journey began when performing in her church talent show.  She continued to win awards.  In her sophomore year of high school, the choir presented her with the Most Valuable Singer award.  She received the Best Attitude award twice.  Nikki feels that one of her greatest accomplishments was taking the title of Charter Oak Idol her senior year.

 
Nikki has a very busy schedule going to college, taking classes at the Ovation Performing Arts Center, and volunteering at her church.  She works with children ranging from seventh grade to college age students, not to mention the Music Ministry.  When Nikki has some time to herself, she loves to practice the guitar, write songs and poetry, and, of course, hang out with her friends.

 
Someday, she hopes to be married, have a family, and a career she is passionate about.  She dreams of working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the United Nations because she has been to several Third-World countries and has seen the poverty that exists.  Basically, Nikki wants to make a difference.  

 
Nikki’s thoughts on the Safety Girls:

“Being a part of the Safety Girls project is truly a unique experience, and its message is one that is essential to children today.  To represent the project is an honor in that it can touch the heart of a child and prepare them for the real world in songs that carry a bigger message….Safety.”

ESSENCE GRAVES                                                                                                                                               Essence Graves has a vocal quality as smooth as velvet with warmth that stirs the heart.  Her parents recognized her musical talent at the age of 11 when she picked up the guitar and began to accompany herself singing.  It’s not surprising that she would have this beautiful voice because Essence comes from a family of musicians, singers, instrumentalists, songwriters, and actors.   In 2008, she was awarded “Best New Talent” by Rebecca Smalsback, Music Professor at Charter Oak High School.


Essence, nicknamed “S,” grew up in California.  She lives with her mother, father, and two sisters, 7 and 11.  Her father is a probation officer for Los Angeles County.  Her mother is a singer/songwriter, as well as a cosmetologist and a professor at Golden West College where she teaches cosmetology and esthetics.
 

Essence is immersed in school and church activities including Black Student Alliance, Armenian Unity Club, Christian Lighthouse Club, North American Unity, and Middle Eastern Unity.  She is involved in many community activities including cheerleading competitions representing Pasadena in the Pasadena Panthers and Pasadena Trojans.  She took home a trophy for her efforts.  

 
Her aunt is in the child care business, so Essence was always surrounded by kids. As she got older, she would volunteer at the business, Watson Family Child Care.  When she entered high school, Essence founded One-on-One summer sitting and tutoring program for children.

 
When Essence has a day to herself, she enjoys playing her guitar or spending a day with her friends and family.  She plans to go to William and Mary, and possibly become an obstetrician.

 
Essence’s thought about The Safety Girls:  “I feel that the Safety Girls project is beneficial for, not only the kids, but also the Safety Girls. It allows us to reach out to the community, and it helps to bring awareness and education to the children and their families. It feels good to be a positive role model.”                                                                    

 

MONIQUE LOERA

Monique Loera, nickname Mo, lives, breathes and sleeps music.  She was singing before she could talk, humming little tunes and smiling all the while.  Her family knew that music was in her future.  She was born in Downey, California and is very close to her mother, brother, and sister.  

Monique’s talent for singing became apparent early in her school years.  She started singing and performing in junior high then continued on through high school receiving many awards and competing in the school show and concert choir groups.  In her sophomore year she auditioned for and was accepted in the prestigious New Spirit all-girl show choir, touring all over California singing, dancing and competing against other high schools.  In her senior year, she was voted Concert Choir President and helped the other choir members learn their parts and teaching them the songs.  It was a great honor for her when she was voted the Best Female Vocalist of the Year.

Monique eventually went on to major in music at Azusa Pacific University and was awarded a vocal performance scholarship after her first year of enrollment.  Through-out her four years in attendance, she became an accomplished musician by learning music theory, practical musicianship, piano, guitar, and voice.

She is also very active musically in her church, leading worship and being a member of the Praise Team.  She volunteers her time helping young kids deal with problems in their lives and makes a point to set a good example by being a positive influence for them.  

Monique tries to squeeze fun into her busy schedule and loves going to movies with friends, swimming, jogging and listening to music.

Monique's thoughts on the Safety Girls:

“I am so excited and very happy to be a part of something so positive that will help kids in an innovative and fun way.  I know that when I was a kid I loved to learn through music.  I think we will be making a huge, positive impact in many young lives.”

 

                                                                        
ANDI HARRELL                                                                      
Andrea Harrell was born in Ontario, California, but grew up in Glendora.  It was obvious that she wanted to make a difference even at a very young age.   When Andi was in the third grade, feeling strongly about pollution, she and her best friend called themselves the "Pollution Solution" and went around school at lunch and recess to pick up trash. They even wrote a letter to the president of the United States. Andrea has the fire in her heart to change the world, and wants to encourage children to do the same.

She got her nickname of Andi, which she prefers, from all the sports in which she was involved including softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, and the drill team.  Having a talent for entertaining, she did show choir and was in drama all four years of high school.  Eventually, she was elected president of her drama club.   

Andi has two younger brothers and an older sister and lives with her mom and step dad whom she considers to be her “real” dad because he actually raised her.  Andi’s mother noticed her talent for singing when she was a little girl.  As soon as she could talk, she could sing.  Her mother would attempt to sing her to sleep, but Andi, very politely, would stop her because she was singing off key. Then Andi would sing herself to sleep.  

She grew up babysitting her younger brothers most of the time, and also volunteered as a youth leader at her church, so she was always good with children.  It’s not surprising that Andi wants to one day get married and have a family of her own.  She also wants to own her own company, travel the world, and visit Africa to work with kids affected by the AIDS epidemic.  

When she has time to herself, Andi loves to chill out by taking a drive to her favorite beach in Santa Barbara, laying on the sand, writing music, and thinking about the wonders of the world. 

Andi’s thoughts on the Safety Girls:

” I feel very strongly about this project for a number of reasons, the biggest being that children are our future, and it is outrageously important that they learn the proper tools of life now, when they're young. I think that so many children end up in harms way simply because they've never been taught how to get out of a bad situation in a way that sticks with them. Music is a universal language that everyone can understand and enjoy. Thus, using it to explain the importance of being safe and helping to protect our environment is, to me, the smartest way to help them TRULY learn. If I can help just one child prevent a disaster, or save themselves from a dangerous situation, I feel like I'm doing something to better our world.”

 

 

                                                                 

MEGAN MARK                                    

Megan, nickname Meggie, is definitely a California Girl.  She was born in Los Angeles, California, and lives in Burbank with her mom, dad and younger brother.  

Megan’s talent for music began to surface at the early age of two when her grandmother introduced her to Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  She started singing the entire score nonstop.  Her baby brother was a captive audience because, while in his crib, she would sing and dance, performing one of her favorite songs, Thumbelina.  

She is learning the importance of being involved by participating in activities including coaching the cheer squad in middle school and now singing in the Powerhouse Show Choir at John Burroughs High School.  She stays busy in her church singing solos and duets with other kids in the choir.  Megan focuses on her studies of ballet and voice to become a well-rounded entertainer.  

She recently performed with the Los Angeles Opera in Faust in 2003 through the Los Angeles children’s Chorus.  She sang the music from The Lord of the Rings, Turandot with the Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl.  She also performed Bernstein’s Mass with the LA Philharmonic.  

Her goal is to study music and composition with a slant toward business or management but not straying too far from entertainment.  

Megan’s favorite thing to do on her days off is spending time with friends and shopping.

Megan’s thoughts on the Safety Girls:

 “I am very excited about this project.  I think it is a great way to teach children about safety.  The music is like any hit pop song, but the lyrics talk about safety, and I think since the music is really music of today, it will get children to want to listen to it."