Growing Hope Concert Special Guests
Tina Naponelli
Crystal Lake native, Tina Naponelli is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Her Tapestry Unraveled: The Music of Carole King debuted in 2018 to a sold-out house and has been touring nationally since. Tina is a proud graduate of North Central College where she studied Theatre Performance. Since graduating, she has created successful cabarets tributed to Sara Bareilles and hits from the Kings and Queens of the music industry. Tina has gone on to be a part of several theatrical productions. Recent theatre credits include Tomorrow Morning (Kokandy Productions), Beehive and Suds: The Rocking 60’s Musical (Williams Street Rep), It’s a Wonderful Life and Columbinus 2.0 (American Theater Company).
2024 Youth Ambassadors of Hope
The Happiness Club
The Happiness Club is a free performing arts education program for Chicago’s youth. Kids, from 8-18, become proficient in voice, dance and rap, while developing strong communication skills and self-confidence. Chicago’s favorite hip hop kids base their original musical show on issues they feel strongly about, like tolerance, education, high self-esteem, and even the pandemic…always encouraging positive values and social change.
Akira Slaughter, Spoken-Word Artist
12-year-old spoken-word phenom Akira Slaughter is working with JCC Chicago to create an explosive and inspiring original spoken-word poetry piece which will speak to the thoughts in the hearts and minds of Gen Z. As a voice for her generation, Akira’s words will engage motivate and inspire concert attendees to use their own voices and talents to repair our world.
Kasey Sliwinski, Baritone
Kasey is a sophomore pursuing a BMA in the Lyric Theatre program at the University of Illinois, studying with Nathan Gunn. He recently performed in the University’s production of Carnaval! 2024, and as John Doe Cover/Ensemble in their opera Black Square. He also sings with the Varsity Men’s Glee Club. He has performed with many Chicago area theater companies and his favorite roles have included Enjolras in Les Misérables, Older Karl in The Christmas Schooner, Tarzan in Tarzan the Musical, Frank Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, and Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He has also performed with the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company of Chicago in H.M.S. Pinafore and The Savoyaires in their Gilbert & Sullivan productions of Trial by Jury and Yeoman of the Guard.
