The Songwriter's Association of Washington ("SAW") is a great local organization of passionate songwriters who provide an annual songwriting contest, open mics, training and support for the craft. I sat down for an interview recently about my musical, Crystal Skies. If you are a songwriter in the DC area, you should check out their programs.

READ INTERVIEW HERE

Calista was selected as one of six Artists in Residence for Strathmore's 2019 season. Calista will receive mentorship, training, and unique performance and learning opportunities. The Artist in Residence Program is a competitive selection program of Strathmore’s Institute for Artistic and Professional Development. Since its inception in 2005, the program has mentored 76 musicians ages 16-32.

Calista will be the Strathmore resident artist for the month of April 2019.

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I have the honor of playing at a Los Angeles benefit called Benefiesta!

The 2018 Jimmy Miller Foundation Benefiesta is May 19th in Manhattan Beach, CA. The event raises support and awareness for the groundbreaking surf-therapy work the Foundation does on behalf of Wounded Warriors, PTSD victims, and at-risk kids. This work was highlighted in a recent Washington Post feature. If you happen to be in Los Angeles, come on out to support a great cause!

DETAILS HERE

Just finished up teaching the music to the cast of my original musical, “Crystal Skies” and I’m so so excited! Everyone sounds terrific! Here’s a song from the show to hype you up so you wanna see it, the show’s going up April 27th and April 28th at H-B Woodlawn Theatre and this song shares a name with the show.

LISTEN HERE

I don't know about all of you, but I'm ready for springtime after this very strange winter. As you know, springtime here in DC means catching a glimpse of the amazing cherry blossoms! I'm psyched that I will have the opportunity to play at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in the Jefferson Tidal Basin this year! It's going to be fab! Come out to play Friday March 23rd 2:00-3:00!

Calista has been recognized for her outstanding artistic achievements and joins 757 of the nation’s most promising young artists from 47 states across visual, literary, design and performing arts as a 2018 YoungArts winner. Winners receive cash awards of up to $10,000, opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs nationwide and engage with renowned mentors, and guidance in taking important steps toward achieving their artistic goals.

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Calista wrote music for a production of King John performed at H-B Woodlawn Theatre. Calista's songs added a modern flare to the successful multimedia production. Congrats to the cast and crew! Calista is busy moving on to her next stage project, writing book, music and lyrics for a full blown original musical called Crystal Skies opening in April 2018. Stay tuned for more info!

Calista was one of 10 featured artists in Berklee's premier main stage Summer Performing Songwriter Showcase. She opened the show backed by a top notch band at Berklee Performance Center!! She was also awarded a full scholarship to Berklee's Vocal Performance Summit next summer!

WATCH HERE

It's out!!! The @halfkingmusic Summer Sample is available on iTunes and Amazon music, and so is Calista's song, "Baby Blue". Everybody everybody everybody go check it out!!!

Local newspaper interviews Calista regarding her Grammycamp selection and upcoming career plans.

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Calista was one of twelve young artists selected for the Grammy Foundation's songwriting program in Nashville. She was chosen from more than 700 applicants nationwide to attend one of two GRAMMY Camp programs this summer. GRAMMY Camp is a 5-day nonresidential summer music industry program for high school students. Hosted by Belmont University in Nashville and USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, students from across the country apply for one of the eight offered career tracks. GRAMMY Camp faculty of music professionals as well as guest industry professionals provide valuable insight to give the campers the best chance at achieving success in their chosen career.

Calista was selected by a three judge panel as the 2017 Bernard Ebb Young Songwriter of the Year after a special evening of live performances by the 8 finalists at the Bethesda Blue and Jazz Supper Club. As part of the prize, Calista received $2,500 and will have multiple performance opportunities over the coming year. She is so excited and humbled by this honor!

SEE PERFORMANCE

Calista was invited to represent the Bernard Ebb Songwriter Award Finalists in a live TV interview and performance on WJLU's morning news show. The Bernard Ebb Songwriting Awards is produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and recognizes talented songwriters from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia and features a live concert performed by the competition finalists. Calista is a finalist in the youth category and will be performing in the finals on March 3, 2017.

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Calista got the amazing opportunity to play at an event for Amazon in Seattle called "15 Minutes Max". From hundreds of entries, she was one of seven acts selected, and played a set of her own originals.

Calista's vocals highlight the local news coverage of this unique music experience. Singer and song writers unite for summer session workshops. In this Carolina Moment, photojournalist Matt Raisch gives us a look into Warren Wilson College's "The Swannanoa Gathering."

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Local magazine highlights the biggest names in local music, from rising stars and Grammy nominees to legends of blues, bluegrass and reggae. At the time 14 years old, Calista is a rising star feature in the write up.

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In 2014 Calista was featured in the Washington Post for writing the score for a musical at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program. A very exciting feature for the then 13 year old who wrote her first musical score.

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Daniel Vestal shares on his blog some heartfelt observations after hearing Calista during a 2014 Austin Java Open Mic night. "I remember feeling relevant once, but after witnessing the talents of such young performers like Calista, I am publicly retiring all ambition that I might’ve once had and replacing it with desperate attempts for pity."

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