Ashalei Nickole – ‘Growing Pains’

Ashalei Nickole started singing at the age of 5, with the loving encouragement of her father. He realised she had a gift, and set aside every Friday night to work with her. From there she started writing and recording music, and at 14, her father built her a home studio. Now with Bachelor’s degree in Recording Arts, Ashalei Nickole describes herself as “like Batman undercover”, and records most of her songs by herself, as well as being heavily involved in the studio.

Hugh James – ‘My Brother’s Shoes’

Originally from Garwood, New Jersey, Hugh James has been playing piano since the age of 5, and started playing in garage and basement bands as a child. Soon he started writing his own songs and music, which led him to study piano and composition at the University of Miami, before settling down in Los Angeles. Here he developed a multi-faceted music career, which included writing songs for Tiffany, and Steve Holy, recording and performing live with Michael McDonald, and BJ Thomas, placing songs in a number of films, and taking the role of Featured Pianist in Residence, at Disney’s Grand California Hotel.