Acclaimed Rock Harpist, Julia Mae Staley, Debuts at The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational and Makenai X-Posé Premiers This Saturday
August 13th, 2014 -- Julia Mae Staley (http://takii.pdnmz.com/guests-performers/brand-new-debuts.html#juliamae), Rock harpist & Alternative singer, began her study of music with the harp at age 4. Heralded for her striking musicality, Julia made her debut at the age of 12 on tour in Germany in conjunction with YOBC. Her 1st recording was at the age of 10 for "Music For The Soulstice: Millennium", a CD that benefited the Susan G. Koman Foundation. Julia Mae has been a soloist with the Mount Vernon Chamber Orchestra & numerous other instrumental groups, having played concerts in Germany, Austria, Baltimore, & Philadelphia. Miss Staley loves other cultures, but especially that of Japan, so it should come as no surprise that she'd perform at "the premier Asian fandom convention experience in the Greater Philadelphia area & beyond", TAKII 18 ~Brand New World~! Hajimemashite, Julia!
....but WAIIIIT, a person this talented must have more to their story, right? If you answered with "yes", then you'd be correct! So let's take a few more moments to learn more about the enigma that is Julia Mae Staley:
Julia Mae Staley worked closely with the Guild Hall School in London on a project to collectively compose works with disadvantaged, young Baltimore students. She has also given her time to other houses of academia nationwide as a musical theater pit performer. Miss Staley also taught piano & voice for 2 years at a local music studio, but not before graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance from the Peabody Conservatory Of Music in 2010, with an unofficial Composition minor. If you're looking to enjoy Julia Mae beyond the confines of TAKII 18 ~Brand New World~, she will be performing at the West Chester Harpfest this November 2014 as a special guest, live with 20 harps & an orchestra, followed by teaching early music as a guest at an Elizabethan Reenactor's Camp in the Spring of 2015. More activities & dates to be announced as the year rolls along, so be sure to show your support for Julia Mae Staley whenever & however you can!
At the conclusion of TAKII 17 ~Densetsu~, we polled you, our TAKII Family, to determine which kinds of festivities you enjoyed the most. And as a result of that feedback, we have created a new stop on our TAKII World Tour known as Makenai X-Posé (http://amen.pdnmz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=350)! A blend of "Makenai: Fusion Charity Benefit Concert" & "X-Treme X-Posé" panels, Makenai X-Posé takes place on August 16th, 2014 (THIS SATURDAY, 6:00pm - 10:00pm EST) from 1 of TAKII's newest venue partners, Studio 34 (located at 4522 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143, which is 8-10 blocks from The Rotunda). Co-hosted by TAKII Founder, D-chan, & TAKII 17's hostess, Anastasia Oxnuttz, it promises to be a buffet of sights & sounds for all fans of Asian culture fandom, all for only a $10.00 at-door entry fee. Sharing with us their talents for the special premiere of Makenai X-Posé will be "Returning Legends" Lady Ai (J-Rock/J-Pop vocalist) & the Manly Battleships (convention panelists extraordinaire). The most important guests for the evening will be, of course, YOU, our fans! We look forward to creating even more legendary moments in Asian culture fandom with our World Tour's newest programming experience.
As we expand the brand that is The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational, we are always looking for people to donate their talents & become members of our Team TAKII Coalition (http://takii.pdnmz.com/interaction/team-takii-coalition)! Being an in-person &/or online volunteer member of the Team TAKII Coalition isn't an easy task, but it is one in which is absolutely vital to the continued success of The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational. What started out as a 1-person organization has grown into a support staff in the dozens, with many others becoming more interested to serve all-year-round. In terms of Team TAKII hierarchy, there are only a few basic levels: coordinator (senior-level support that is responsible for all coalitions & is the final word on all decisions to be made), dedicated staff (junior-level support that works closely with coordinators to carry out the tasks of their respective coalitions on a consistently seasonal basis), & casual staff (beginner-level support that assists dedicated staff & their respective coalitions on an infrequently seasonal basis). Anyone interested in becoming more involved with "the premier Asian fandom convention experience in the Greater Philadelphia area & beyond" is encouraged to visit the official "Team TAKII Coalition" page & fill out our fool-proof application (http://takii.pdnmz.com/interaction/team-takii-coalition.html#coalitionapps).
If you thought what we've shared with you about TAKII 18 ~Brand New World~ up to this point was awesome, then you will ABSOLUTELY fall in love with what we plan on revealing in the days, weeks, & months ahead. Until then, see y'all this Saturday at our World Tour premier of Makenai X-Posé (^_*)!!
ABOUT THE ASIAN KARAOKE IDOL INVITATIONAL (TAKII)
Established in February 2006, The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational is the world's most extreme Asian culture fusion festival. Featuring 2 main seasons & numerous other co-branded events & performances throughout each year, it's filled with a diverse multitude of "Festivities" well-suited for people from all walks of life & fandom. With maverick innovations, such as "Project "DATTE"" ("Delivering Assistance To The Extreme"), the Team TAKII Coalition (a distinguished group of our most passionate supporters & outreach volunteers), & the TAKII World Tour (a traveling & customizable entertainment experience for individuals & organizations alike), it entertains, inspires, & enriches the lives of its fans worldwide on a continuous basis.
ABOUT TAKII 18 ~BRAND NEW WORLD~
Boldly going where no convention has gone before. "The world's most extreme Asian culture fusion festival" does it again with a fresh new season known as TAKII 18 ~Brand New World~! Debuting in Philly, PA's The Rotunda on December 27th & 28th, 2014 (10:00am - 10:00pm both days), it will be the strongest testament to-date of The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational's much-touted expansion. And with the help of our BRAND NEW venue partners, unique to this season will be special editions of our TAKII World Tour (highlighting each fusion festival aspect we will be enhancing). We've spent the last several years taking our flavor of Asian culture fandom to the streets (changing minds & touching hearts), waiting what seemed to be a lifetime for a momentous occasion such as this. TAKII 18 ~Brand New World~, "SIGN ME UP!"
ABOUT THE TAKII WORLD TOUR
For our fusion festival fans, the TAKII World Tour has become a way for them to connect to The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational at a like-minded event that is closer to them, being able to trade infamous stories of TAKII lore with their passionate compatriots. For organizers of similar festivals & conventions, it's a chance for them to partner with the most dynamic force in this genre of Asian-themed entertainment & add that missing element of "the extreme" for their own attendees to enjoy. Touring since November 2006, the TAKII World Tour has universally rocked the foundation of Asian culture fandom & continues to do so all-throughout the year & many more to come!
