MEET THE PERFORMERS

To me, Christmas is special for bringing family & friends together. ​ I've been playing guitar since I was about 10 years old. I've played in various bands throughout the years. Besides performing in First Snow, I also play lead guitar & mandolin in Straight On - a Tribute to the Music of Heart. Both bands are my family & I couldn't think of a better gift than playing with them & for you my friends.

Raj grew up in Orange Village and started playing the violin at the age of 9. His father and grandfather both also play and played violin growing up in the Middle East region of the World. He took Suzuki-style violin lessons for 11 years and went to Kent State University. There he was one of the first students to get a partial scholarship as a non-music major. He was a part of the KSU symphony orchestra for his college years. After college he took a break from music to raise his family and after this he got back into playing music. “Country music was the only station i could get on my AM radio on my first pickup lol….” Listening to country helped him in directing his music into this genre. Playing out with many country bands throughout the years helped him decide to start Rte 212. He hand-picked these musicians to join him and the band has been playing high quality covers from traditional to more modern influences. All the different music experiences and hundreds of musicians on stage over 30+ years playing the Violin or now Fiddle  has helped him learn and evolve his craft into something unique and special on stage.

Michelle started singing at an early age.  She performed in various talent shows and school musicals.  Michelle received a BFA in Musical Threatre from Kent State University.  These days she is the lead vocalist for Invincible, Northeast Ohio’s Premier Pat Benatar Tribute.  Michelle is honored to join the First Snow family.

Chris developed a love for live music at an early age. The power, emotions and dynamics of classic rock, hard rock and heavy metal spoke loudly to her. Chris started her musical career with cover bands and sang everything from Led Zeppelin, to Melissa Etheridge, to Black Sabbath and Dio. She later pursued original music and was in a metal band called Cellbound, which had a great 8 year run. Chris gained a loyal fan base through her energetic and passionate performances and tireless work ethic. Cellbound performed at many festivals and toured through out the surrounding states. Currently she sings in an original metal band called Olathia. You can catch Olathia at venues throughout Cleveland and Akron, at festivals and on the road as well! Being a long time TSO/Savatage fan, she is excited to join forces with the talented musicians in First Snow. Terry Johnson, Olathia’s bass player, has also joined as a vocalist.

Terry is excited to join the talented cast of First Snow! For the better part of two decades, the Trans-Siberian experience has cemented its place in his family’s home as the soundtrack to the holiday season. Terry is beyond honored to contribute to the legacy of such a powerful music force by playing a roll in this tribute.

Terry is active in the Midwest music scene as a singer, songwriter, and musician in several acts ranging musical theater, Celtic, funk, rock, punk, and heavy metal. When the Siberian sleigh-ride subsides, you can catch a concert with Terry “Bull” and Chris E. as they perform with Olathia. Terry wishes all of the First Snow friends and family a wonderful holiday season and looks forward to bringing the magic of TSO to the stage. 

Dan has been a member of First Snow since 2019. He is also the vocalist for Cleveland based metal band Bound by Fate since it's 2008 inception. He explains his love of performing with First Snow: "I get to play with some incredibly talented and wonderful people. We have the privilege of bringing generations and families together to help celebrate the holidays."

In addition to music, Dan is a haunted house scenic designer and painter and is an avid Cleveland sports fan. 

Kitrael Chin caught the piano bug at age 7.  Since then he has performed professionally in Singapore, Canada and the USA.  In addition to the piano, Kitrael enjoys playing the flute, trumpet, guitar and whacking away at his drum set.  Kitrael is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and currently runs Musical Fingers LLC, an Ohio music company for children with special needs. 

In his spare time, Kitrael is an avid snowboarder.  Kitrael joined First Snow as their keyboardist in 2013 and is proud to be part of this truly remarkable Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute Band.

When the lights came up opening night of his first high school production, he knew the stage was for him. He felt free in front of that audience.

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During his time in the Army and 32 year career with the Postal Service, Scott squeezed in theater, commercials and Indie movies when cast. Most currently “Get-Go”and “Ohio Lottery “ commercials and “The Other Side of Darkness” with Villager Pictures. In 2018 his family lost in great style on Family Feud.

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In his words, "I never would have guessed in sixth grade that pretty girl I sat in the same classroom room with would say yes. 42 years later we are blessed with four married kids and 10 grandchildren. Everyday is Christmas Day with my 19 blessings.

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I am excited to share this platform with a cornucopia of diversity and talent. Every moving part is here to share the blessed joy of Christmas and everything it represents.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given….” Isaiah 9:6

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Merry Christmas!"

Monique is a self-taught vocalist & has been singing since a very young age. She was inspired by Classic Rock, R&B, Hard Rock & Heavy Metal vocalists/bands which is where she honed in on her vocal style. At 16, she had her first taste of performing solo in front of a live audience in her high school talent show where she performed her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You".

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In here early 20's she started performing at karaoke events & also even winning a karaoke contest. After winning the karaoke competition, she wanted to start working on forming a Heart Tribute Band. She put a flyer up in a local music shop & Kevin Bennett answered the ad. Monique & Kevin have performed in several musical projects together, such as The Division Bell - a Tribute to Pink Floyd (backing vocalist), Rivendell Lost (lead vocalist) & currently; Straight On - A Tribute to the Music of Heart (lead vocalist), & also now, First Snow - a Tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (backing & lead vocalist).

Brian started playing guitar and bass in high school.  He started to focus on bass 2005 in MATD and formed the Divison Bell Pink Floyd Tribute Band. Brian has also played 2nd keys for First Snow in 2010, continued with The Show Must Go On until 2013.

I started playing the piano when I was five.  I quit after five years because it wasn’t “cool”.  That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.  I picked up the guitar my freshman year of high school, and haven’t put it down.   I played in a few cover bands over the years.  I even fooled around a little with some solo and duo acoustic shows, but I was basically a “professional basement guitarist”.  When this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance.  I've also had the opportunity to play as a hired gun in some other tribute bands (Elton John, Billy Joel, Rascal Flatts, etc.). 

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My current project is my Pink Floyd Tribute, Dark Side of The Moon

Eric has been playing drums since he was a toddler it all began in his parents’ home ransacking the kitchen cupboards & beating on all the pots & pans. When he was 5 his father gave him his own snare drum to play, from there his passion grew for drumming. He played all thru Middle & High school from concert, marching to jazz band & many local bands from Youngstown Ohio. He can play all kinds of styles of music ranging from Country to Rock. In 1998 he began his career as a Professional lighting designer where he would design the shows, set them up, run the lights then tore down each show for many major artists like Billy Ray Cyrus to Pat Benatar, & the list goes on.

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In 2005 he join with MATD a local band, in Beloit Ohio & the Division Bell a pink Floyd tribute band which lead to The Show Must Go On until 2013. He is currently performing in a Green Day tribute band, GreenR DayZ.

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"It is an honor & a privilege to be part of First Snow, & to work with such great musicians." - Eric Szijj

Joe has been a consistent performing musician on the Northeast Ohio music scene since the early 90’s, performing in a wide variety of Metal, Hard Rock, Avant Garde & Jazz based bands.

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Originally trained & taught, as a child, in classical piano, Joe made the transition to guitar very quickly in his teenage years. His appreciation & love for original compositions has led him to be the author & co-author of over 100 original songs throughout his musical career. Many of the bands that he has performed in have opened for a variety of national & international acts, & have placed him on the road regionally, performing throughout the northeastern United States.

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In recent years, Joe returned to the keyboard, this time taking a contemporary jazz approach. 

He also has filled in, on both bass & guitar, for various local & regional acts, thus constantly having himself challenged in learning new concepts, genres, styles & performances.

Tommy was raised in Memphis, TN and has been singing since he was 10.

Fields' early vocal influences are inspired by his grandmother's angelic opera voice and the bands Styx, Rush and Boston then evolving into the more progressive bands like Savatage and Dream Theater. He started performing in school performances then Fields merged into rock/metal bands as he got older.

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In 2018, Fields portrayed Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in Meadville, PA, recorded lead vocals with Mortal Wrath and Shadow Wraith as well as guest vocals recordings across the US with other artists.

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In his hometown of Erie, PA he is currently the lead vocalist for the Classic/Hard Rock band, Flight.

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Tommy states that he is "honored and excited to be performing alongside the incredible musicians of First Snow!"

Al’s passion for music dates back as far as he can remember. His early influences included Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, and Metallica. A lover of all music, he may be best known locally for his high-energy vibe at heavy metal shows.

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Al was originally drawn to acting in high school and the bug has been with him ever since. Most recently, he has been featured in local music videos and acting workshops. He is active in the regional music and arts scenes and has been known to travel several hundred (sometimes thousand) miles to catch a show in a new city.

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A Chicago native, Al spent his younger years traveling between Illinois, Texas, and Louisiana – before landing in Cleveland, the official birthplace of Rock & Roll.

As narrator of First Snow, he is blessed to be able to combine his love for acting and music, while sharing the spirit of Christmas with audiences young and old.