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.

Jamie Berland is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and artist of many mediums.

As a classically trained violinist from the age of three studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music, she has grown over the years to explore jazz, contemporary, bluegrass and other experimental genres which lead her to pursue a degree in violin performance from Berklee College of Music. Jamie is well versed in the world of rock, metal and punk strings, as she enjoys incorporating the violin in genres you wouldn’t expect to hear it.

As a passionate improviser, Jamie is very well respected within the jazz community both in Boston and in Cleveland.

Since graduating in 2024, Jamie has returned to Cleveland and performs her original music that can be described as classical-inspired experimental folk, both as a solo act and with her trio.

She is looking forward to joining First Snow this coming season!

Laura Fedor is a seasoned vocalist with over 17 years of professional experience. Her dynamic career has taken her across the globe with the internationally acclaimed Singing Angels and earned her a featured spot on an album, recorded by multi-platinum selling artist Teddy Gentry, that was distributed nationwide. Laura has also had the honor of recording with platinum-selling, four-time Grammy-nominated artist Jamie O’Neal.

In addition to her solo achievements, Laura has also been in popular local and regional bands garnering her the experience of a real crowd pleaser. Laura is currently leading the charge in After Laughter, a Cleveland-based tribute band that passionately recreates the energy and sound of Paramore. She has also been nominated as one of the top 3 female vocalists in Cleveland Ohio!

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Now, she’s thrilled to begin an exciting new chapter as a vocalist with First Snow and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

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.

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.

Jerry is an incredibly talented guitarist, photographer and artist.

Here's a little more about Jerry:
He discovered KISS when seeing their 1976 Bicentennial poster. Rushing to get the “Alive” album and memorizing it….. “hooked” is an understatement.

Jerry began playing guitar after hearing Randy Rhoads, Jake E Lee, Vivian Campbell and George Lynch. Pointy guitar era was and still is in his brain.

Favorite bands include Doro, Dio, SRV, Joe Bonamassa

He has played and recorded in various local bands including:
Bendsinister, Blackened (Metallica tribute), The Issue and Everhard.

In his words, "Joining the beyond impressive members of First Snow this season will be insane

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.