My experience begins in front of a live audience—in Jazz Clubs, Theater’s, large and small singing, performing in and around Chicago , New York City, California and Europe .  I have written and performed my own solo theatrical/musical shows as perfomer and producer.  Performing on stage began at Second City as an ensemble member of the Touring Company.  The opportunity to write scenes, songs and perform new works with ensemble members segued into Equity Union work on stage and in SAG television opportunities.  Both my original stage shows “BITE” and “Is There Anything Going On Upstairs?” have received critical acclaim from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, BBC London, the Chicago Reader, ABC 7, and other local print and television media.  Ongoing New York engagements include the Knitting Factory, FEZ , H.E.R.E., Surf Reality, and Collective Unconscious.   Recent musical theater work includes “I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change” and Second City Theatricals production of Fatty Arbuckle’s Fantastic Musical Revue.   Ongoing stage presentations of theater include the one-act play “The Pretzel Sisters,”… written by Steppenwolf Ensemble member Bob Brueler.   My two original CD releases of  “The Tracks” and “Pieces Of Piece” are both available as reference by request.

JAZZ/CABARET

Original compositions and classic jazz and pop standards at Chicago Venues; Velvet Lounge, Green Mill, Hothouse, Andy’s, Joe’s Be-Bop Café, Pop’s For Champagne, CITE, Smoke Daddy’s, The Drake Hotel, The Pump Room, Pete Millers, Westin Downtown Chicago, Hotel Allegro, Le Meridan Hotel, Tru, Gold Star Sardine Bar

Guild Complex-Guest Artist, performer/composer-Musicality of Poetry Festival with feature performer Nikki Giovanni.

MUSIC PRODUCER, COMPOSER, PIANIST

Produced/Arranged New York Artist Whitney Shaffer’s 4 song demo demo

Denise La Grassa original CD’s –The Tracks, Peaces of Peace

VOCALIST/Performer-Live Events

Black Tie Events, City Street Events-(All Terrain Productions)

Weddings

VOCAL COACH-Music/Acting

Prepare students for solo jazz, pop, new and classic musical theater auditions, and television. Coaching focused on jazz and theater interpretation, jazz improvisation, television audition/scripts, develop artists original style and sound. Lessons include access to professional musicians, recording studios, clubs, auditions, creation of repertoire and composition of songs.

ONE PERSON SHOWS –

“Bite” Chicago, New York, Scotland , Germany- Critic’s Choice. 

“Is There Anything Going On Upstairs?”

Chicago, New York, Switzerland -Critic’s Choice

“Parker Meets Parker” - A Tribute to Dorothy Parker and Charlie Parker

“Tale of a Detail” –Velvet Lounge, Hothouse

PROFESSIONAL THEATER

The Pretzel Sisters-ATC Theatre-Written by Bob Brueler, Steppenwolf Ensemble

Fatty Arbuckle’s Fantastic Musical Revue-Second City Theatricals

I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change-Apollo Professional Theatre, Peoria

The Meeting-Victory Gardens

Dr. Faustus-Court Theater

Sylvia’s Real Good Advice-Organic Theater

Hot Pink-Organic Theater

Vampire Lesbians of Sodom-Royal George Theater

American Notes-Raven Theater

White Whore and Bit Player-Raven Theater

Blithe Spirit-Center Theater

Midsummer Nights Dream-Ivanhoe Theater

Romeo and Juliet-Ivanhoe Theater

Hamlet-Ivanhoe Theater

TELEVISION PRODUCTION

CBS/Peoria-Host/Segment Producer of Former “Morning Mix” Entertainment Show

WTTW-PBS-Reporter/Segment Producer, Wild Chicago, ArtBeat Chicago

Emmy Winner 2000- 2001-2002

TECH-KNOW KIDS – WJYS Channel 62-Associate Producer/Segment Producer

Chicago State University , Passage Productions

Emmy Nomination, 2001-Television Series that introduces children to technology careers. Special focus on new art and science technologies.

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JAZZ JYM TV-WPWR Channel 50-Creator/Host 1995

Saturday morning show for kids featuring a unique blend of jazz, mentorship, and sports.

Introducing kids to the new frontier in Arts and Entertainment.

PS. NBC TELEVISION-New York-Live Performance of “Is There Anything Going On Upstairs”at H.E.R.E. Performance space.

NUDE HIPPO-Chicago Cultural Affairs Station 25

Character Commentator, Associate Producer, Segment Producer, Comedy Writer

MUSIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT-

Cut-Time Productions-Scout/Contractor for major motion pictures (Hoodlems starring Vanessa Williams, My Best Friends Wedding, staring Julia Roberts).

PROGRAM DIRECTOR-Bloom School of Jazz

Recruited and placed teachers in jazz program and increased enrollment by thirty percent. Media representative and marketing manager, created curriculum brochure for Bloom School of Jazz.  Secured local print and television media.

ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANGER-Cliff Colnot Music.

Coordinated live and in the studio music production projects. 

Production assistant live music events at Chicago Symphony Center .

Denise was married in December 2006 and she's busy working on her 3rd cd set for release this Spring 2008.

Education:       Columbia College Chicago

                        Bachelor of Arts-Theater/Music

                        U of Madison , W.I.-Theater

                        Studied Jazz composition with the late William Russo, Music Director

                          Chicago Jazz Ensemble

References: Furnished Upon Request