Backstage Pass with Victoria

Kailey Abel is avid singer-songwriter, and performer that has written over 150 original songs. At the age of 15, she was a part of the “finale season” of American Idol. Kailey received three yeses from Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and progressed to Hollywood week.

After her journey on American Idol, Kailey was one of only five finalists chosen out of 10,000 for the Guitar Center Singer Songwriter 6 Competition (2017), and performed her original song “Strawberry Fields” and “Keepsake Box” in The Troubadour in Los Angeles. Strawberry Fields has most recently been selected as a semi finalist in the “International Songwriting Competition".

Most recently, Kailey competed in Season 18 of The Voice, singing her new rendition of Forever Young in front of the iconic red chairs in her blind audition. Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, and John Legend gave her incredible feedback and advice concerning her career as an artist and Blake Shelton became her Voice Coach. She was personally mentored by Blake Shelton and the surprise mentor BeBe Rhexa.

After her journey on The Voice ended, Kailey has been very busy continuing to write and she has high hopes for a new album release as soon as possible.

Social Media:
Intatagram, Twitter: Kaileyabel
Facebook: Kaileyabelmusic

Check out her album "The Piano Sessions" here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2JyepiUM8a2orrbc4it1L1?si=J6FgLlEIRcGSn5WT9FmfEg

Connor Saeli was featured on the 15th Season of The Bachelorette with Hannah Brown and subsequently appeared on the franchise’s popular spin-off “Bachelor in Paradise.” He is the founder and CEO of Sael Wellness, a general nutrition and wellness brand where he resides in Dallas TX. He chats with Backstage Pass about spending time with Hannah Brown, the struggles of being a young entrepreneur, and those rumors on whether or not he is dating Madison Prewett, also from the Bachelor franchise. His Instagram handle is @consaelaway

Travis Finlay (born April 8, 1994) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He was born in Miramar, Fl but then moved to Long Island, NY at the age of 10. Travis has been singing long before he could walk. He would imitate melodies he’d hear in church services as early as 14 months old. At the age of 3, Travis began performing at local church events and quickly became known as "the little boy who sings". at the age of 9, he released his debut album, Jesus = Love (2003) which gained him notoriety within his community. Travis relocates to New York in 2004 and quickly makes his mark on the Caribbean-Gospel music scene, with help from one of his mentors Jamaican singer, Hopeton Lewis who produced Travis’ next album, Everybody Needs Jesus (2005).

Travis continues performing and releases 3 more gospel albums; Use Me Lord (2009), Highest Praise (2012) & 4U (2014).Travis auditioned for season 14 of American Idol which aired in January (2015). He was featured during the Brooklyn Auditions and made history with 3 golden tickets taking him to Hollywood! Although his Idol journey was short lived, he gained a huge following from fans across America. Travis produced his 6th studio album Phase II (2015) where he showcase his writing ability and producing skills. He follows up with The Elements EP (2016) solidifying his musical style. Travis wants to share his passion and love for music with the world. A singer, songwriter, producer, actor, activist and entrepreneur are a few ways to describe him. His style is a unique twist on the popular music of today.

Acclaimed for her “superior vocal value” (Boston Globe), Korean-American Soprano Hein Jung has performed internationally in venues such as the Interharmony International Music Festival Concert Series in Italy (Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5), Bucheon Civic Choir/Philharmonic in Korea (Messiah) in Buchoen, Korea and recitals at Royal College of Musik in Stockholm, Sweden by the invitation of International Congress of Voice Teachers, at Kumho Performing Art Center and at Sejong Performing Art Center in Seoul, Korea. In US, she has performed as soloists and principal roles with the Florida Orchestra in both Masterwork and Coffee Concert Series (Night at the Oscars, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5), Opera Tampa (Die Zauberflöte), Tanglewood Music Festival (Rage d’amour), San Francisco Opera Merola Program (Rape of Lucretia), Milwaukee Symphony (Die Zauberflöte), Madison Opera (Rigoletto), St. Petersburg Opera (Ariadne auf Naxos), Bel Canto Chorus (Lord Nelson Mass), Racine-Kenosha Symphony (Poulenc’s Mass in g minor), Tampa Oratorios Singers (Messiah, Lord Nelson Mass) and Madison United Orchestra and Choir (Mozart C minor mass).

Equally beloved on the concert stage, Hein Jung has performed recitals in prominent series including Artist Series of Sarasota, Sarasota Concert Association, University of Wisconsin Madison Artist Series, University of Florida Recital Series, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Artist Series, and the American Liszt Society Annual Festival.

Her recording of Songs of Franz Liszt, released by Centaur Records, was praised by American Record Guide: “Hein has the perfect voice-terrific ease in her upper register and a silvery clear tone.” Hein Jung’s performances have received rave reviews from Tampa Bay Times, San Francisco Chronicles, San Francisco Classical Voice, Capital Times, Hartford Courant, Herald-Tribune and Music Choonchoo, the Korean classical music magazine.

Tomer Zvulun is an Israeli Stage director, whom has worked around the world at prestigious venues includes the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, and more. Since 2013, he has served as the General Director at the Atlanta Opera.

Layla Spring “American Idol” star is a county music recording artist. The heart of Kentucky is where she calls home. As a small child, she picked up the interest to sing and entertain. At the age of 12, she had already landed herself a spot on the stage at “The World Famous Tootsies” located on Broadway in Nashville, TN.

The guitar became a big part of her world about three years later. She captured the attention of thousands during her performances in Nashville. It was that special moment on American Idol that Spring at 16 years old, stole the heart of America. She auditioned with her six year old sister, Dyxie. Spring earned herself a spot as a finalist on Season 1, of American Idol, in 2018. Layla gained 102k followers on instagram and Dyxie gained 25k. Layla sang with county music artist Sugarland, during the duets. LeAnn Rimes was a guest celebrity to sing with Layla Spring and Dyxie durning the finale.

Layla, later in 2019 got voted back onto American idol by America. This is where Spring had air time on the “American Music Awards” and “Dancing With The Stars” Layla has the ability to connect with others and offer them great guidance. She has opened for many country music artist such as, Parmalee, Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, Exile, Easton Corbin, and more! She has inspired millions to follow their own dreams.

She believes in all things and all people. She knows all too well what its like being a small town girl singing in front of only 10 people. Layla shares her belief with her fans; that with hard work anything is possible. Layla creates a world for children and adults to never stop believing in their self. Layla always says “DONT STOP BELIEVING"

Email is: [email protected]
Instagram: laylaspring
Facebook: laylaspring
Twitter: laylaspring
Tiktok: laylaspringgg

Brittany Alphonso is Founder of St. Augustine Fashion Week, a non- profit organization going on 5 years with the 6th Season this coming March 2020. St. Augustine Fashion Week has created a platform for small brand designers to share their latest collections and get their name out there. Designers of Small brands Regional, National and International. It is a 100% Volunteer driven organization producing unique runway experiences for designers and attendees.

Taylor: At the age of 14, Taylor Swanson won the World Wake Surfing Championships in the Semi-Pro division in 2018. After winning Worlds he became the world's youngest Professional Wake Surfer. He is already creating and landing tricks that no one has ever done. The 2019 season was Taylors first year as a Pro, and he Podiumed 6 times out of 7 contests. He got 1st in the online contest, 1st at Tommy’s US Wake Surf open which is the 2nd biggest contest in the world, and 4th in the Nautique World Championship. Growing up on a lake in MN Taylor Swanson was behind the boat by age 3. It was not until he was 10 years old that he was introduced to doing Wake Surfing tricks. As Taylor says “When we learned about tricks, that’s when everything started.” Since there are no free rides in the Swanson house, Taylor has paid for everything in his sport through his dog walking business he started at 10. Taylor is full of adventure and fire…..his motto in life is “you might die to tomorrow....so kill yourself today.” In other words….”Giver all you got.”

Camron: At the age of 16, Camron Swanson is now ranked as the #1 Pro Wake Surfer in the world. In 2018 he was ranked number one for the whole year in the semi-pro division in points. After Camron and his brother got 2nd and 1st at the World Wake Surfing Championship semi-pro in 2018, they became the youngest professional Wake Surfers in the world. The 2019 season was Camron's first year as a Pro and he Podiumed 8 times out of 9 contests with 5 First places and 3-second places. Camron won the 2019 Pro CWSA World Championship with 4 flawless passes. He was the first person in the world to ever do that. Camron also won the 2019 Pro WWA Nautique World Championship with 4 flawless passes. He was the first person in the world to ever do that also. At the age of 4, Camron was already kneeboarding, water skiing, wakeboarding, and wake surfing at there lake house in Minnesota. He is also a semi-pro skateboarder. Camron is a very smart and creative kid. If you give him something to do he will put 110 percent into it. Camron’s motto in life is “you can do anything you put your mind to!”

The Swany Bros have also created and landed 10 new tricks that no one in the world has ever done.

3-time Variety Act of the Year – IMS Niels Duinker first thought of becoming a successful international performer when he was 12 years old, and well before the end of his teenage years his dream had become a reality.

Niels won a Gold Medal in the 2009 Taiwan Circus Festival and he has worked all over Europe, in Asia, and made special guest appearances in the United States. His childhood interest in the art of juggling has led this motivated young man on a journey around the world – and it has only just begun.

Modestly beginning his career in a Rotterdam youth circus, Niels now spends his time jetting between high-profile engagements at theaters, casinos, cruise ships, theme parks, and corporate events. Regardless of the venue, audiences always embrace his energetic execution, boyish charm, and dynamic dexterity.

Gigi Ackert, the reigning Miss Fashion Global Overall Winner who beat our thousands of applicants around the globe, 500 semi finalists, and 50 finalists, chats with Backstage Pass about what inspired her to compete, how she keeps a humble spirit amidst fierce competition, and what her upcoming year holds.