Sara Carlson

Sara Carlson is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. She has released three full-length music albums, and her songs have appeared in U.S. film and television. While starring on the #1 rated TV show Al Paradise on RaiUno (Rome,Italy), along with five other prime-time shows, she influenced a generation of post-disco dance, performing some of the most memorable dances of the era. She has appeared in over 25 U.S. and international commercials ranging from Dr. Pepper to Bacardi; three major motion pictures; iconic rock videos, including The Power Station's cover of the T. Rex classic "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" and Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield"; and even had a recurring role as TJ on Guiding Light on CBS (USA).

Her latest album, Heartdance is set for a 2012 release.

She currently lives in New York, NY.

Early career

As a teenager, Carlson studied music and dance with several prominent teachers in New York City, including Finis Jhung, Betsy Haug, JoJo Smith, Frank Hatchett, Michael Owens, Michele Assaf, Rick Atwell, among others. During this time, she began professional work in commercials and industrials; her first job was a Dr. Pepper Commercial, and she then signed a contract with Landslide Management.

Landslide sent her to a casting in New York for Al paradise, a show based in Italy for which they were looking for a female dancer/singer. 700 other females also auditioned. After multiple auditions for the director Antonello Falqui, the writer Michele Guardi and the producer Elena Balestri, she was invited to go to Italy for the show. In 2012, Carlson was quoted as saying "To be honest, I did not want to go, but in some odd way I knew it was my destiny and that I had to go."

Career

After Al Paradise (1984), Carlson remained in Italy and went on to feature as a dancer and singer in five other prime-time shows for RAI television: Serate Da Campione, Chi Tiriamo In Ballo, Viva Le Donne, Serate Di Stelle, and The Eurovision Song Contest.

Carlson signed her first recording contract with Cinevox Records (Italy) in which she co-wrote and recorded "Celebration" for the Eurovision Song Contest along with the song "One Night" and multiple demos.

Her second recording contract was with BMG (England) and the single "Mental," released with the group The Manic MC's, (RCA PB 43037) went to #30 on UK dance chart in 1989 and 12 on Italian Dance Chart.

She signed her third recording contract with Baby Records/Polygram (Europe) and released the album She.

After living in Europe for about seven years stretched out over a decade, she longed to return to NYC. Upon resettling there, she became a regular fixture in the downtown music scene, performing in clubs such as The Bitter End and CBGB, in addition to writing and recording the album Doorways. A video for the song "I Know Nothing" (from Doorways) was filmed in NYC and Woodstock, NY.

Her latest album, Heartdance is scheduled for release in late 2012. It is a 14-song album for which she wrote all of the songs, performed many of the parts, and co-produced with Scott Ansell. The music has a dance feel.

An Italian fan posted videos from "Al Paradise" which set off a cult following of her dance. However her career is as much as a singer/songwriter as a dancer.

Aside from performance, Carlson is Reiki master.

Music and dance performances

Film appearances

Press

Her album, Doorways received a glowing review from Billboard Magazine. "An irresistible collection of tunes that wash over the mind like a cool breeze, her songs are like mini-movies, richly detailed and empathetic," reads the review, written by Larry Flick.[1]

In 2012 she did an interview with The Aquarian regarding the release of her latest CD Heartdance.[2]

References

External links

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