About Me
Christine VillanoAt the age of 11, Christine and her family moved to Sacramento, CA where she first discovered her love of music and entertainment. She began participating in talent shows, choir ensembles, ballets and piano lessons. These events all played a formative role in her love of music and in her development as an entertainer. Christine has been inspired by many notable vocalists such as Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Sade, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Teena Marie, Taylor Dayne, Lisa Stanfield, Anita Baker and Mariah Carey. She admires these remarkable singers for their personal confidence and individual expression; Madonna, Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado and Janet Jackson are also strong vocal influences from the Pop/R&B Genre.During high school, Christine spent time expressing her love for music as an active chorus member and as lead vocalist in several musical productions including, “Sinag-Talaâ€, a Filipino-American Theatre Company, and Sacramento’s Best of Broadway. Being Filipino-American, Christine’s culture and heritage has played an integral role in her growth as a person and a professional.From 1997-2001 Christine attended Indiana University. During her years at IU, she continued to make time to study voice and piano and performed in various open mic sessions and talent shows. In her junior year, in the midst of an already hectic academic schedule, Christine responded to an advertisement seeking a young female singer for a multi-cultural pop trio in NYC. With hardly any time to prepare, Christine flew to the audition and sang a cappella where she was immediately selected out of 50 young ladies to join the group. Christine’s natural vocal talent was apparent, although this was a great professional opportunity. Christine, together with her parents, decided to prioritize her education before pursuing a musical career. She graduated with a BS degree in CIS in May 2001.After graduation, Christine moved to the Bay Area and began to immerse herself in the local music scene. Christine surrounded herself in a diverse musical environment and exposed herself to new genres of music. This gave her an appreciation for all types of music, but Christine began gravitating towards Pop/R&B and Jazz. Feeling a strong affinity to perform, Christine joined local band Session 94 as a backup vocalist. The band performed live each week at various nightclubs in the Bay Area. But after a short stint, Christine decided to pursue her own solo ambitions.Christine teamed up with Lamarr Handley of Mystery House Productions to write and release an EP. Her first breakout live performance as a solo artist took place in the summer of 2003 at SF Pride and she has not relented. In the fall she was invited to make a guest appearance on Monterey radio station 97.9 En Fuego and set the roof on fire at Club Gemini with a hot performance. Christine’s biggest triumph came after winning the Asian American Idol II contest sponsored by Element SF and Universal Records in late fall/winter 2003. Christine wooed the crowd and the judges with her infectious charisma, stage presence and powerful vocals and edged out 25 other competitors all the way to victory. She was described as “A diva in the making†by Gwen Shen of Universal Records and was featured in the San Jose Mercury News – Arts & Entertainment section.
From there Christine continued to make several appearances at Marine World Kababayan Festival, Fiesta Filipina and Indiana University’s Taste of Asia alongside other bay area notable acts such as Sharyn Maceren and Honey Luv. Christine began to turn heads and gain attention. She earned the respect and admiration of her peers. Christine continued to make a name for herself singing the National Anthem for the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs. She became the Pinoy Pop Superstar Champion of the North America 2004 region and was invited as a guest performer for the Pinoy Pop Superstar Competition in Vancouver, Canada. She recorded live performances for Exposure TV network and opened up for Regine Velasquez & Jaya for GMA Pinoy TV Show which aired in Manila, Philippines in 2005. In 2006 she performed at the Philippine Haute Couture - Gala Fashion Show sponsored by Philippine Pearl Production, INC and Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines.To help support her music, Christine worked an 8-5 gig as an IT Business Analyst. She took her earnings from her IT job to pay for her music. As a release from it all she decided to train for several half and full marathons. Her biggest race was finishing the NYC Marathon in 2004. Her dedication, perseverance and faith in God kept her going.Ever passionate about her commitment to create powerful music, Christine was poised to turn her dreams of being a multi-platinum artist into reality. She continued to learn about the music business, perfect her craft by writing music and recording in the studio. Her determination, unique voice and work ethic built the foundation for a successful solo career. She took the leap of faith and relocated to Atlanta in Oct 2006 and never looked back. She was featured in the New York Times Fashion & Style section in March 2007 and performed the National Anthem for the AVP Pro-Beach Volleyball Tournament in Atlantic Station June 2007.In April 2007, Dennis Nelson and Christine’s musical journey forever changed when they met at Lotus Lounge by fate. Dennis Nelson a.k.a. Finger Roll, along with other top producers, was instrumental in the Temptations’ album Ear-resistible, he wrote 2 songs for the album winning a Grammy© for Best R&B Traditional Vocals in 2000. His accomplishments include writing “Hyperactive†for Robert Palmer’s Gold/Platinum Riptide CD. As one of the hottest Jazz, Rock and Fusion guitar stars in the country, Dennis gets major compliments from his peers. This unique sound earned him a nomination for his first CD Still Rollin’ as the Best Independent Jazz Record of the Year in 1998. Nelson’s’ music has also been showcased on several UPN and Fox Network TV shows.Since then they’ve been recording in the studio working on her first debut album “Let’s Talk†scheduled to release July 19, 2008 under Bama Sweet Music Entertainment Group. Together their sound is fresh, electrifying, invigorating and soulful. The album is an eclectic mix of Pop/R&B/Jazz sure to move your body, awaken your soul and liven your heart.
