Terry Christopher

Terry Christopher (born in Las Vegas, Nevada) is an openly gay American singer/songwriter.[1]

He started performing at a very young age and won the Reserved Champions Title for the dance division of his age group at the Nevada State Youth Fair held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in 1979 with his dance partner, Beth Newlin. Christopher continued his performing arts training studying dance at Simba Dance Studios in Las Vegas while under the guidance of Winston Dewitt Hemsley, Vicki Dale, Bernard Manners and Jamie Gallagher.

Christopher ventured out on his first of 7 European tours in 1987 with Extraordinary Students of America as a featured dancer. After his summer tour of Europe, he studied dance and musical theatre for 1 year at Emerson College before transferring to the Dance Conservatory at S.U.N.Y. Purchase of which he received his BFA in dance performance and dance composition. Mr. Christopher studied Ballet and Modern dance with Gayle Young of American Ballet Theatre, Alfredo Corvino of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Rosanna Seravalli of American Ballet Theatre, Bettijane Sills of New York City Ballet, Bert Terborgh of the Martha Graham Dance Company, Armgard von Bardeleben of the Martha Graham Dance Company, Kevin Wynn of the José Limón Dance Company, Sarah Stackhouse of the José Limón Dance Company and Neil Greenberg of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

Music

Christopher's debut CD, Take Another Look is a collection of songs written while out on tour and produced back home in New York City. Take Another Look received the Favorite Male Artist Award 2003 as well as Favorite LGBT Album 2003 from Stonewall Society which is an LGBT Community Organization recognizing equality and visibility in the arts by LGBT artists. Take Another Look was a musical adventure that took Christopher out of the world of musical theatre as a featured cast member to the up front out in front solo artist position. Christopher's music from Take Another Look had him playing New York City hotspots such as CBGB's, The Elbow Room, The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, and The C-Note. Christopher also became a member of ASCAP and since debuting his songs with Take Another Look, Christopher has been the recipient of 7 ASCAPlus songwriting grant awards from ASCAP.

In 2006, Christopher released his 2nd CD, Journey of a Wordsmith. Journey of a Wordsmith debuted in the Top 20 on the Outvoice LGBT Monthly Music Chart at #15. Journey of a Wordsmith steadily climbed up the chart and by the Spring of 2007 had reached the top of the chart at #1 and held it for 2 months. Journey of a Wordsmith has maintained a Top 20 presence on Outvoice since its debut in 2006 for almost 2 full years. His pro-LGBT Community rock-anthem, Brothers In Arms & Sister Soldiers was awarded the coveted Favorite Pride Song of 2007 from the Stonewall Society Pride In The Arts.

Both organizations of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and The Grammy Organization have welcomed Christopher into their membership ranks. Singles from Journey of a Wordsmith made it to the first round of voting for the 50th Grammy Awards in 2007.

Take Another Look

Christopher's debut CD, Take Another Look announced his arrival and established his presence in the LGBT music scene having garnered national and internationial reviews amongst indie music insiders. As the positive reviews and awards rolled in, Christopher had already begun to journey on to his next musical effort.

Journey of a Wordsmith

Christopher's Sophomore musical work is titled Journey of a Wordsmith. Terry Christopher moved more towards his love of rock and brought out a gritty, powerful vocal production and more confrontational tone to his songwriting. Journey of a Wordsmith re-teamed him with Producer, Michael LaGennussa of MJL sound and the final product has not only received national & international radio and heavy web radio airplay, but landed Christopher on Outvoice's Monthly Top 40 LGBT Music Chart in the Top 20 for an impressive 23 consecutive months which is accomplishment held only by Christopher. He also returned to his dance roots having added 3 BONUS CLUB TRACKS re-mixes to his latest CD.

Journey of a Wordsmith landed the #1 spot on the Outvoice music chart list in spring and early summer of 2007 with it taking the #2 spot on the Outvoice Top 40 CD's Review. Though Terry Christopher's Journey of a Wordsmith was released in November 2006, the CD closed out 2008 – a two full years later – in the top 10 LGBT CD's coming in at #10 as noted on the Outvoice Annual Top 40 CD's review for 2008.

United For The Ride Vol. I

Terry Christopher is the Executive Producer as well as contributing artist on the 12 song compilation CD, United For The Ride Vol. I which assisted raising funds for the Riders of Breaking The Cycle 2009. The Co-Producers on the project are also contributing artists, Morry Campbell and Roger Kuhn. United For The Ride Vol. I received praise within the LGBT community for its initiative to help fight HIV/AIDS via the various programs offered through the LGBT Center of New York City. Other contributing artists on the CD are Randi Driscoll, Mike Rickard, Katie Sawicki, Jeffrey Wilgus, Robin Renee, Joshua Klipp, Norine Braun, Judith Avers and Dan Manjovi.

References

  1. ↑ Lawrence, Robert (20 February 2008), "Talented Terry Christopher Takes Musical Journey", GaySonoma, retrieved 2008-11-05

External links

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