Album Notes

ZEALA is an all-girl band that features some of Washington, DC's most dynamic singer-songwriters, seasoned horn players, and a sound that melds influences from folk to funk to bluegrass. Zeala is turning heads with an eclectic mix of original tunes supported by a groovy horn section, hip-swaying rhythm and bass, tight vocal harmonies, and skillful guitar stylings.

Avril Smith - Guitar, Vocals
A Washington Area Music Association (WAMMIE)-nominated instrumentalist, Avril began playing the guitar at age 8 and has played a wide range of styles over the years--everything from jazz to rock to bluegrass. When she's not busy with Zeala-related pursuits, she also plays guitar in a bluegrass quartet and mandolin with singer-songwriter Franklin Taggart.

Aura Kanegis - Lead Vocals
A veteran of roots-rock band Cravin' Dogs and women's a cappella groups Quintessential and Oberlin's Nothing but Treble, Aura has performed for audiences at the 9:30 club, the Barns at Wolf Trap, the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, the State Theatre, the United Nations, and a range of venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region and the Southwest.

Lea - Bass, Vocals
Lea is a 4-time WAMMIE nominee and a much-celebrated singer-songwriter. Lea's debut CD, Creation, showcases her compelling voice and diverse musical influences that have won her many devoted fans. Lea has performed at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage and at festivals, clubs and coffeehouses across the mid-Atlantic region.

Lisa Taylor - Drums, Vocals
Lisa is an award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. A Kerrville New Folk finalist, Lisa's music has been featured nationwide on folk and acoustic radio shows and on cable television's Metropolitan Magazine and Songwriter Showcase. Her debut CD Sibling Rivalry received 7 WAMMIE nominations.

Cheryl Terwilliger - Trumpet
Cheryl received her Master of Music Education degree from the Eastman School where her primary areas of focus were trumpet performance and jazz studies. A veteran performer who has played since age 8, Cheryl has experience with a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, Latin, funk, disco, blues, and rock.

Stacey Sloan Blersch - Saxophones
Stacey began her musical career as many Midwestern girls did--in the school band program. In college, she played lead alto saxophone in the jazz, concert, and woodwind ensemble bands, and in the DC metropolitan area has performed with swing bands Blue Cat 7 and Three Martini Lunch. Stacey also plays lead tenor saxophone with the HOTS Jazz orchestra and alto saxophone with the 501 Saxophone Quartet.

Stefanie Gogerty - Trombone
Stefanie received her B.M. in Trombone from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and her M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory. She has worked with members of the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, and others. She has performed at the Kennedy Center and played with the San Francisco Ballet trombone section.