Sarah Romeo is currently a graduate student at UAlbany, finishing her MA in English. Prior to this, Sarah graduated Magna cum laude in 2006 from UAlbany, obtaining her BA in English with minors in Film Studies and Sociology. She also studied Film and Editing in NYC at the School of Visual Arts. Prior to working with Azalea Blossom, Sarah has worked with a few other local arts organizations including the New York State Theatre Institute teaching filmmaking and scriptwriting at their SummerStage program and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall working as an assistant in their administrative offices. She looks forward to continuing work in arts education with Azalea Blossom.

Sue has performed all over the world, from the 52nd Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. to Carnegie Hall in New York, Casino Estoril in Lisbon, Portugal, and The Bottom Line in Nagasaki, Japan. She has appeared with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Chris Martin of Coldplay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Bolton, Linda Fischer (former in-house composer for Douglas Dunne Dance Troupe) and Gretchen Langheld. Sue’s television credits include “The Joan Rivers Show”, “Retaining Laughter” (on Lifetime) and a special appearance performing on The Sopranos. Sue is currently working on an album of her original jazz-fusion compositions.

German born Iris Ornig has studied at the Jazz School at Saint Gallen, Switzerland, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. She has performed as a bassist and band leader of her own quartet at a variety of venues throughout Europe, the United States, and West Africa including the Bitter End Café in New York City; Birdland in Viena, Austria; and Barbican Hall in London, England. Her festival appearances have includes the Saint Petersburg Jazz Festival, Moscow Jazz festival, and the Jazz Festival in Insbruck, Austria. She has appeared on several recordings and has been the Musical Director of the Girsberg Sommertheater in Switzerland. Her original compositions can be heard on her website, www.irisornig.com

Sam Zucchini works with artists of all stripes, and travels the country, making music for kids of all ages with his award-winning band, "the Zucchini Brothers", and serves as Musical Director and drummer for the wonderful singer Kate Taylor (of the musical Taylor family of James, Livingston, Alex and Hugh). Sam started drumming in elementary school and went on to study jazz music at the University of miami and has played and recorded with an assortment of artists including: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, James Taylor, David Bromberg, John Sebastian, Levon Helm, Carly Simon, Donald Fagen, Phoebe Snow, Pete Seeger, Davis Gaines, and Melissa Errico.

Marla Bracco has both an undergraduate and Master's in violin performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. She is currently in the progress of completing her Suzuki Certification through the School for Strings in New York City.  In and around the Capital Region, Marla has performed with Albany and Glens Falls Symphony, inwhich tours have taken her throughout the United States and Italy. She is a full time member of the Willow String Quartet and a principal violinist for the Broadway productions at the Cohoes Music Hall.  Marla is currently on the faculty of the Woodland Hills Montesorri School in North Greenbush, New York.

Laura Karutis is a senior at the State University of New York at Cobleskill majoring in business administration and technology. She received her Associates Degree in general education from Fulton-Montgomery Community College in 2007, where she played on the basketball team in addition to working for the FMCC Girls and Boys Basketball camps. Laura’s additional interests include volleyball and horseback riding. She was honored in Who’s who of America for her basketball achievements in 2002.

Currently, Laura is working as the Administrative Assistant At Azalea Blossom Incorporated where she is responsible for managing the database as well as assisting in researching grants and other funding opportunities. Laura’s previous volunteer work includes service work through Montgomery County 4H and office work for St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, New York.

Upon her graduation this spring, Laura’s goal is to obtain an Administrative position in a local business.  Her long-term goal is to eventually own her own equine agriculture business.

She is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a minor in Public Relations. She was the former Vice President of the Communication Arts Society and a member of the National Association, a member of the American Marketing Association, and also enjoyed being involved in the Marketing Club. Natalie participated in the Student Fashion Society where she helped with advertising, and modeled in the Fashion Show. At Azalea Blossom Inc., Natalie worked on the “Bricks in the Wall” project by promoting the video as a Public Service Announcement, booking concerts, and setting up interviews. She also worked hard at getting the SAFE through the Arts program into public middle schools throughout New York State. In addition to her volunteer work for the prevention and awareness of domestic violence, Natalie has been active with many other causes including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. She also hopes to volunteer with the Peace Corps.

In honor of Mothers day this month, we would like to feature Darlene Rosenberg in “Behind the Scenes”, our monthly column dedicated to honoring the people helping to make things happen at both Growing Azalea Music and Azalea Blossom Incorporated. In addition to her organizational skills in the office, Darlene volunteers her time helping with Azalea Blossom projects. A former registered nurse and a mother of a six-year old daughter, Emily, Darlene’s enthusiasm and support make her a valuable member of our team.