The 2014 UMFF Award Ceremony Performing Artists
Ceremony & Live Performances;Sunday, April 6, 6:00-9:30PM;
RHCC community Center, Auditorium; 735 Silver Spur Rd; Rolling Hills Estate, CA 90274
Masters of Ceremony: Ms.Tracy Reiner & Mr.Sherwood Jones

	George Makinko, Musician Makinko is a composer, arranger, lyricist and multi instrumentalist. He studied classical, African and black music during his traveling and staying in over 65 countries. In his over three decades of international performances, he has performed with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rome for Pope Jean Paul II in Vatican and other musical theater shows in Australia, France, America and many other countries. He is now owner and director of Joyful Music & Arts Center and director of Act Int'l/ Amahoro International.
	South Bay Children's Choir The South Bay Children's Choir is an auditioned group of talented young singers sponsored by El Camino College Community Education. Co-founded in 1996 by Artistic Director Diane Simons and the late Dr. Jane Hardester, the choir has continued to grow and has performed in many venues, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Canterbury Cathedral in England, Royce Hall at UCLA, and Carnegie Hall. Performing today is a select group within the choir, The Bel Canto Singers.
	A Li Ma, Singer A Li Ma is born in a nomadic family in Inner Mongolia. She is a member of the singing group, A Ni Er. Having their first album Mongolian Girls published in 2010, A Ni Er has been a frequent guest on various Galas held by TV stations and art institutions in China. They have also performed on one of the most popular Chinese TV shows, Starlight Boulevard. A Ni Er brings the voice of grassland and combines it with modern elements, such as Rap. Their music reflects the new Mongolian generations's interpretation of grassland culture.
	Cady Mariano, Dancer, Singer, Actress Cady Mariano (Age 11) loves dancing, singing, acting, and volunteering at charities. Her solo dances for Jazz, Lyrical, Chinese, and solo songs have won many dancing and singing awards at dance competitions. Her solo dances have also earned many acting and performing related awards including Judge's Special Awards for "Dynamic Diva", "Outstanding Showmanship", "Great Character" and "Gorgeous Quality Movement" 4 years in a row. Her acting and musical theater roles include Small Alice (Alice in Wonderland), Belinda/Fanny (A Christmas Carol), Grandma (Haunting Melodies), and Orphan Reberta (Prairie Lights) in addition to her performance on multiple innovative Improv shows.
	Sarah Zhang, Actress, Model, Singer, Pianist Sarah (Age 15)has performed ever since she was 3 years old.  Her work includes Disney, Walmart, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Lexus. She modeled for Macy's Passport. She has won many MTAC's paino competitions, Bach southern California state competions, and Los Angles Young Pianist Award. She has sang at many places like the Shanghai Expo in China, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and Chandler Center for the Arts in Arizona. Sarah has also performed for at Kodak Theater for a Chinese New Year Festival. She got third place in AV idol. She loves to perform and entertain people
	Baoping Shen, Actor Baoping Shen is a national first-class actor. He has abundant experience of acting for more than forty years. He started his career as a stage actor and got involved in television shows later. He specializes in historical TV shows and has built countless unforgettable characters from different eras in Chinese history. He has also participated in films and theaters.
	Audrey Gibbs, Dancer Audrey began dancing at the age of two at Caravan Dance Studio in Palmdale, California. She currently trains under the instruction of Kathleen Burnett at the Valley Ballet Academy. Audrey has been a member of Antelope Valley Ballet since 2009. She has participated in 10 productions with this company such as Swan Lake, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Coppelia, and five productions of The Nutcracker. In addition to competing with studio teams, Audrey has just concluded her first competition season with the Quartz Hill High School Dance Team. She was the Freshman Solo Champion at the Claremont, Arlington, and West High School competitions.
	Yifei Geng, Actress, Performer, Singer Yifei (Age 10) started acting at the age of four. She starred in TV show "Chinese Idiom Stories", film "A Happy White Swan", as well as other charity performances. She appeared as a special guest with her solo performance in HNTV (Henan Television)'s Spring Festival Gala in 2014. Yifei has also won many awards. In 2011, she won the 1st Prize of the 2011 Youth Vocal Competition. In 2012, she was honored as the Chinese Ambassador of the 2012 International Family Film Festival in Hollywood and Multicultural Ambassador of ST Culture Advocacy. Yifei was also titled "Little Angel of Charity". In 2013, she won a Special Award in the National Nominate Newcomer Competition and was nominated by Henan people's Radio Station together with its website as one of the Ten Post-2000's Representatives of Positive Spirit.
	David Friebe-Makinto; Drummer David grew up surrounded with and immersed into music. He played his first concert on drums with his dad at the age of 3 1/2 at the United Nation's UNESCO Day of the Child in 2002, participated in his first Jazz trio at the age of 5 in Jersey City, and has been the consistent church drummer with his father since the age of 7. He is currently the featured drummer in the Palos Verdes Peninsula High school's advanced Jazz Band and has participated at the Jazz Grammy camp auditions 2014. He is even at his young age a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger with a bright future in the performing arts.