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HEADQUARTERS
P.O. Box 1108
El Cerrito, CA 94530
april@symphony-enterprises.com
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Verlin Sandles has been singing since the tender age of five. She studied music specializing in vocal, choral, and directing at San Francisco State University and studied privately with Mr. Rue Knapp, Mr. George Davis and Roland Wyatt of San Francisco.
She has appeared as soloist and performer with jazz immortal Jon Hendricks in the smash musical hit play The Evolution of the Blues, which played at the On Broadway Theater in San Francisco where she received raving reviews from many of the leading newspapers and critics.
Her international travel includes United Arab Emirats, Germany, Paris, Switzerland and Belgium where she performed for a Black History Program at NATO Headquarters. While traveling throughout the United States, Mrs. Verlin has appeared in many concerts on radio and television, before civic and special groups, two National Baptist Conventions, and has even performed the national anthem at major sporting events.
Verlin’s recording credits include:
He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Needs/It’s Alright
Praising Together (Just When I Need Him Most)
I Give My All, GMWA Live in Philadelphia
I’ll Be Happy In the Midst of the Lord
Trade Winds
God is Everywhere
Don’t Quit (GISIC)
God is Still in Control
You can find her on Sunday mornings at her local church where she does it all – Singer, Director, Chorographer, Minister of Music or visiting the local churches, District and State Associations. Her Music Ministry includes conducting local music workshops where she demonstrates vocal control, voice, and presentation to young vocalist eager to learn.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
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April M. Wright-Hickerson, a native of Richmond, California began singing at the North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church at 8 years of age. Since then April’s sung, lectured and directed choirs locally and internationally.
April has directed several choirs in the Northern California region including the California State Baptist Convention; Northern California Chapter, GMWA; the historic Bethel A.M.E. Church and Third Baptist Church of S.F.
April first appeared on stage when she was cast in David Leonard’s adaptation of “Little Shop of Horrors” and more recently, appeared in the 2016 production of “Crowns” and the 2015 production of “The Dearly Departed”. In 2011 April won the Arty for Best Supporting Actress as Aunt Em/Glenda in the Musical Category for “The Wiz” and in 2010 she won the Arty for Best Lead Actress in the Musical Category as Mother Shaw in the “Crowns.” In 2007 and 2008 April performed with the famed Lorraine Hansberry Theatre of San Francisco, CA in Stanley Williams’ adaptation of Langston Hughes’, “The Black Nativity.” In June of 2000, April was a guest speaker at the Multicultural Peace Education Seminar held in Cairo, Egypt, and has been a guest clinician for Grammy Career Day.
In 2017, April premiered her music review, “Chicken, Chitlins and Caviar,” a musical journey through African American culture.
Some of April’s recording credits include:
“Just April”
Claybon Lea, Jr.- “It’s About Time”
D.R. Curry Memorial Choir- Jackson, MS
Northern California Chapter, GMWA “Wait” and “Created for Worship”
“Northern California Chapter with Dorothy Norwood”
G.M.W.A. National Mass ChoirApril received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH. She has done continuing education at Jackson State University, Jackson, MS and Laney College, Oakland, CA.
April continues to perfect her gift of music and has studied under the tutelage of Mrs. Ruby Pleasure and the late Dr. Beulah Forbes-Woodard of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her voice is a unique blend of classical, traditional and contemporary gospel music, which gives her broad audience appeal.
April can be heard each Saturday morning from 6am until 9am on KPFA 94.1FM as the host of “The Gospel Experience.”[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]