Creative Arts Team

For more information on Grace, click here.

Hugh Wilson

Hugh was born in Sydney Australia to an Anglican preacher Dad. Lived in the Gibson desert as a child, where he learned trumpet long enough to give him a good diaphragm for singing.

Grew up acting and singing for church/school productions and was a boy soprano. "My voice never really broke though (just got deeper), so thankfully I kept my high register."

When Hugh was 18 he won Australia's "Star Search" for best male vocalist. He won a car and drove around Queensland. After this he made some records, one through Polydor, produced by Mark Moffatt (Yothu Yindi, etc etc, the guy's a legend). A couple were independently done. Charles Fisher worked on one of them. (Savage Garden, Moving pictures, Gyan etc etc another legend).

1998 Hugh joined the Aussie group, 'Vertigo', and they had some success on Aussie airwaves with "Forever Lately". But we broke up not long after that.

In 2001 Hugh went on walkabout, spending time in Singapore, Europe, and eventually settling in New York. Lived all over NYC, in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan.

While living in NY he recorded 'Unidirectional' and the electronica CD 'Radiate' as well as albums for CCC: 'Peace', 'C3USA project' and Steve Deal's 'Cure for Gravity'. (All are on itunes) In 2005/2006 Hugh toured with Lenny Kravitz, what an amazing country...

Right now, he is back at home, working on more recording projects and spending time with his lovely wife Anne, and daughter Helena.

Links: www.hughwilson.org www.myspace.com/hughwilson

Maria Christensen

Maria, originally from South Florida by way of Pittsburgh, PA, moved to New York to work with Grammy award winning producer, Ric Wake to record her self titled solo album on Atlantic Records.

Her latest CD is the independent release entitled "Beautiful Now" mixing pop, soul, and rock sensibilities.

Live performance is Maria's passion, and her newest endeavor brings a powerful, soulful style to the stage every time she performs with her 5 piece band.

In addition to Maria's success as the former lead singer of the group 3rd Party on A&M Records (that charted two Billboard pop hits, "Can You Feel It" and "Love is Alive"); her songs have been recorded by artists including Celine Dion, ("Just a Little Bit of Love" and "Christmas Eve" both on which she also lent backing vocals) N'SYNC,(The Only Gift) and Jennifer Lopez for whom she penned and added her vocals to the Top 5 Billboard charting single Waiting For Tonight.

She has also written for and/or sang with such artists as Ricky Martin, Kristine W., Anastacia, Raven Symone, Eternal, Wild Orchid and Martin Sexton among others.

Her voice and music can also be heard in such films as "The Replacements", "Night at the Roxbury", "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen", "Kiss Me Guido" and "Drumline".

Maria has been applauded by the international press over the years including Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, and Time Out.

Billboard Magazine says, "Maria Christensen oozes with mucho star power. This petite young woman vamps and belts with the bravado and earthy soul of a seasoned, old-school diva!"

She is currently residing and recording in New York City.

Links:
www.mariachristensen.com
www.myspace.com/mariachristensen

Michal Fijalski

Michal "Fijal" Fijalski was born in Warsaw/Poland. He became a bass guitar player when he was 19 after playing on violin for years. After 5 years on bass Fijal played with many popular polish artists and bands such as Natalia Niemen, Eleonora Niemen, Reni Jusis, Robert Chojnacki, De Mono, Boguslaw Morka, Tlen, Mate.O, Chili My and Euangelion. His very flexible tone gives him the opportunity to play many styles (rock, soul, pop, funk, R&B, country, jazz). He recorded an instructional video on playing in the rhythmic section called "Bass and Drums" with Piotr Pniak on drums. He also leads bass guitar workshops at S.L.O.T. art Festival in Lubiaz/Poland.

After he moved to New York in 2005, he started collaborating with singer/songwriter/producer Hugh Wilson on independent projects, songs as well as live concerts. He also performed in live concerts with Michael Lynche, an R&B singer/songwriter, Claudia Sisti, pop singer/songwriter and symphoNYChoir leaded by Henric Iderstrom. In 2008, Fijal joined to the "Brooklyn Social".

He lives in Bensonhurst Brooklyn with his wife Justyna.

Links:
www.myspace.com/fijal

Chad Lawson

Chad Lawson knew he wanted to play the piano the first time he saw Sha-na-na on television when he was a kid.

He just finished touring the globe with Julio Iglesias while also continuing his passion for scoring television and film. it's amazing what a laptop on the road can do. Chad also just finished scoring the film Doughboys, written, directed and featuring Louis Lombardi (Edgar from 24) and Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos). While working on the feature, Chad also scored a tv pilot which turned out to be really incredible.

Chad recently finished writing and recording new material for his first solo piano album. Will Ackerman of Windham Hill Records will be producing the album at his studio in Vermont. The fact that he produced all of the George Winston albums as well as many Michael Hedges albums made Chad realize how fortunate he was be working with such a creative talent.

Chad has also had the awesome, awesome privileged to play on Jason Upton's album, Beautiful People, which was released this year on Integrity Music (thank you Al). Chad also lead's a piano trio for a number of years, the Chad Lawson Trio, and released two albums on Summit Records. Dear Dorothy; the Oz Sessions debuted on the national jazz charts, featured us in Starbucks retail stores across the country, and placed us on Dawson's Creek where we performed three of my original compositions. Unforeseen, our sophomore album, jumped to 8 on the national charts. With all that's currently going on, the trio is on hiatus. Though the three of them look forward to seeing the red light in a studio turn on again.

Links:
www.chadlawson.com
www.myspace.com/nyckeys

Section Footer Links