Thursday, December 20, 2012

CD release

listen to the music on kimbirdlee's soundcloud

This is such an exciting announcement for me to make - the release of a wonderful CD that I was invited to sing on, involving my dad and his lovely group of musicians.  I had the honor to perform with PECB over the summer.  

My vocal numbers include "God Bless America", "Somewhere over the Rainbow", "Till We Meet Again", "I'll be seeing you", and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree".
A few local newspapers published articles about it:
I'm sharing the article, along with the short but sweet biographies of Band Director Ed Pierce and my dad Bob Millers' stories below because I feel so lucky to have this opportunity!

Professional singer, actress

Vocalist Kimberly Fadner joins Palmyra-Eagle Community Band
by Ruth Ann Mueller - Palmyra Correspondent

   Palmyra - A very talented vocalist joined the PECB this past summer and is doing all the singing on the band's upcoming CD which members hope to have ready for release by Christmas.
   Kimberly Fadner, formerly Kimberly Sau Wai Miller who now lives in Oakland, Calif., is home with her 3-month-old son, Jack Robert staying over the summer and through early October with her family in Mukwonago on Eagle Springs Lake.
   "I have made it a tradition to spend much of my summers in the Mukwonago and Eagle area, as it is, hands down, the best place on earth to be during the summer," said Fadner.
   Fadner attended Mills College, an all-women's college in Oakland, Calif. and graduated in 2006 with a degree in vocal performance and dance.  She also received stage and film acting training at the American Conservatory of Theatre in San Francisco and the Aerial Arts at Kinetic Arts Center in Oakland.
   Since then she has been working as a professional singer and actress mostly in the California Bay Area and the Midwest.
   "I'm very active in musical theater, as it combines my love for singing, dancing and acting," said Fadner.  "I've worked steadily with the family friendly theater, Berkeley Playhouse, where I've appeared not only as an actress but also an aerial dancer on aerial silk and things like you see in Cirque du Soleil."
   She also sings professionally for all types of special occasions, charity events and churches.
   "Singing is my number one passion, and it has always been that way," Fadner said.
   As a little girl around age 4 or 5, her parents gave her a tape player, and she would stay up all night singing along to her tapes, and refused to listen when her parents told her to go to sleep.
   "I am fortunate to be a part of a very musical and artistic family," Fadner said, adding, "One of the best things ever is when we sit down together for a good live music session or record songs together in the studio."
   Both her husband, Jonathan Fadner, and her brother, Matthew Miller, are composers, and her father, a retired pediatrician, also is a musician who plays baritone horn in the community band.  Her mother, Charlotte, does Chinese Brush Painting which she learned in her birth town of San Francisco's Chinatown, and has passed this skill onto Kimberly.
   Fadner's relationship with PECB began a few years ago when Ed Pierce, director or the Palmyra-Eagle band, invited her to sing on a summer program with the band, in which her father plays.  She sang a Sousa song, "I've Made My Plans for the Summer" and a jazz standard, "Stardust" with her father.
   "This began my relationship with this friendly group of talented musicians," she said.
   Nothing is more gratifying to her than sharing music with others in a way that inspires positive feelings such as the music from the World War II era.
   "The concert at the Palmyra Methodist Church on Monday, Sept. 17, was exactly that," Fadner added.  "We were all experiencing the heart-warming effect of this music.  It's very touching to look out into an audience and see folks singing along to songs they can recollect firsthand."
   These, she said, are some of the best-loved songs of all time; "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Till We Meet Again".
   "This music is universal.  It speaks to all of us about love and loss," Fadner said.  "There is a certain unbridled passion for life that comes from not knowing if you or your loved one will even be here tomorrow.
   "Wartime was a scary and dismal time, yet creativity and expression soared due to that sense of urgency," she added.  "Everybody in the photographs I see from this era look like movie stars.  I love that!"
   The vocalist hopes to continue to spread joy and inspiration through music and the arts, and remain active on the stage and a part of special events as a singer and performing artist.

   "I'm very excited to be a part of the upcoming community band's CD, and Ed Pierce is an absolute delight to work with!"  Fadner said.  "Everyone in the band is super welcoming and talented.  And above all that, I get the unique opportunity to share this gift of music with my father.
   "I'd love to act in one of my husband's musicals someday and release an album with my brother but, most of all, I'm looking forward to being a mom, and watching my family grow and journey through this amazing life together," she concluded.





Ed Pierce has directed the Palmyra-Eagle Community Band since 1994, the year after its founding.  He also directs the St. Paul's Lutheran School Band in Fort Atkinson, WI and gives instrumental lessons to 5th-8th Grade students.  Mr. Pierce is a Civil War buff and is a performing member and chief historian of the 1st Brigade Band, an organization which performs at historical events and community celebrations all over the state.  He is a member of the Wisconsin Band Masters, the National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu - Professional Band Directors Fraternity.  Mr. Pierce also directs the Lebanon Community Band and is Music Consultant to Old World Wisconsin.  He and his wife live in Fort Atkinson.  Ed has been involved in CD projects with the 1st Brigade Band, the Lebanon Community Band, as well as the PECB, so he is truly a musical ambassador to Wisconsin!

Bob Miller has been playing Baritone horn with PECB since 1998, as well as providing occasional vocal support for selected favorites.  Although a pediatrician and hospital administrator (retired) by profession, music has always been a part of Bob's life, whether with community bands and choruses, or at home with his children Matt and Kimberly.  "Singing duets with Kimberly is always a joy!" he notes.  Bob and Kim sing together on "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" on the CD.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Kimbirdlee Fadner Trio


Our 2012 Debut
Kimbirdlee, Jonathan Fadner, Matt Miller & Baby Santa
Montclair Holiday Stroll
 & Touch Salon
thank you to Wayne @ Grille One, Daniel Swafford & Teresa Bozikis




Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Invitation to this week's festivities


Holiday Greetings!!!

This week is the real kick-off to our holidays with several events I'd like to invite you to!  
You may know me as an artist or a singer or both, so check it out!!!

Debut of The Kimbirdlee Fadner Trio:
Kimbirdlee (me): Vocals
Jonathan Fadner: Keys & Guitar
Matt Miller: Guitar & Keys
Jackrabbit: Baby Santa
Location:
~At the Montclair Village Holiday Stroll on Thursday Dec 6th 
in front of Grille One @ 2064 Antioch Court  Oakland
~Also performing in the same location for Holiday Shopping on Friday, Dec 7th & Thursday, Dec 13th, 6-7:30pm
Hear us play a range from holiday classics (oh yeah!) to standards to original tunes!!!

Then...
This weekend I will be exhibiting my original paintings at this super quality festival benefitting KPFA.
I am in spot #135
~Details on the flier~

Inline image 1


Love to see you there!!!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Harvest Festival - San Jose & Celebration of Craftswomen - San Francisco & SF Holiday Market

More Art Shows to find me and my dragons, my baby Jackrabbit and maybe my husband too!  Plus, we will be singing and playing live music in our booths for the rest of 2012.  Here are the shows and dates - plan on coming to at least one of these festive affairs!!!

 I have access to discount or free tix, so don't be shy - ASK ME!






San Jose Convention Center
Nov 23-25th (Thanksgiving Wknd - SHOPPING!!!)

Dec 1-2   10am-5pm
Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason, SF

SF Holiday Market
Cow Palace, Daly City/SF
BOTH WEEKENDS!!!  Dec 14-16 & 21-23





Sunday, October 21, 2012

World Record Shave for Haven Anderson

Today's the big day.  My friends are attempting to break the world record of shaved heads in an hour, as a benefit to our little angel, Haven, only 3 yrs old, who is battling neuroblastoma.  Milwaukee's gonna have lotsa bald folks running around town!!!

We sponsored the event, since we couldn't be there in person and take the shaving challenge!

worldrecordshave.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Wisconsin season coming to an end

Well folks, it's been amazing.  My trip to Wisconsin this year was overflowing with experiences to remain in my memories forever... A wedding, a newborn baby, family and friends, art shows galore, performing and recording music, and the beautiful lake.  I couldn't possible have asked for more.  The season has changed, and while I've vowed to spend my summers in Wisconsin, I'm so grateful to witness the onset of Fall with it's gorgeous colors and cozy hoody temperatures.

First glimpse of Fall colors at Mirror Lake, Wisconsin Dells
9/25/12
Devils Lake
9/26/12


We spent last week in Wisconsin Dells, hiking in the trees and playing at the water park.

Art Shows

The art shows kicked off with Madison Off-the-Square back on July 13th.  Jack was only 4 weeks old and it was scorching hot.  But he had little to complain about, since I got him a room at the Madison Hilton, which is steps away from our booth.  

Hanging out with Cousins Jill and Elana in the room at the Hilton.  
Jack was soooo tiny compared to now!


Jack tried to call Daddy, who was back in California.  He hasn't quite got the concept of phones yet...

my sweetie


We then headed to Ann Arbor, MI for the largest art show in the country.  It's about our 10th year there and so many friends and loyal customers come by to check out the latest pieces.  I made sure to have a few new dragons to honor the Year of the Dragon.

The 4 day show, which runs from 9am-9pm every day except the last day, was a bit daunting with Baby Jack, but we are fortunate to our cousins and their families living in Ann Arbor.  We had a fabulous time with all the little ones running around!

Bohnsacks gathering (this is only half of the brood)!  Aren't they just glowing!

There were several shows that followed, amidst the excitement of Jonathan and my wedding.
Racine Starving Artist Fair 2012 - Racine Art GuildAppleton Art in thePark
Oconomowoc Festival of Fine Arts
Powderhorn Art Festival - Minneapolis

Milwaukee Orchid Society - I won 1st Prize for my Orchid painting!!!

 
Orchid and Dragonflies



Mount Mary Starving Artist Art Show
Milwaukee, WI


 Charlotte, Matt, Jack and I accepted an award for our art exhibit at the Itasca Art and Wine Festival last weekend.  Woo hoo!!!




Jack loved the Yellow Ribbon, and thought it was his friend with a big yellow head.





As you can see, this Summer and Early Fall has been jam-packed.  We've done more than I ever thought humanly possible.  The art shows are always a mixture of extremely hard work and long hours, balanced out with the joy of sharing our art with people who really really love it.  That's the part I love the most!

This weekend, I will be concluding my Midwest Art Tour in Galena, IL at the Galena Country Fair: Oct 6-7th.  You should come.  It's the world's best place to view the colors of Fall!

Next time you hear from me, I'll be back in California, reunited with my hubby, and ready for more adventures and more art shows...
My West Coast schedule is on my website:
www.art-kimberlysmiller.com

Lotsa love, kimbirdlee
That's my guy, kickin it in the RV


Saturday, April 7, 2012

Art Shows in the Year of the Dragon



Welcome to the best time of all - The Year of the Dragon!!!
I've been long anticipating the year 2012, and I've got exciting news to share.
First of all, I'd love to invite you to come see my new paintings!
I will be premiering a whole new collection of original art,
as well as a brand new giclee series.

I will be showing my Modern Chinese Brush Painting at 2 great Art Shows in May

Saratoga Rotary Art Show (Sunday, May 6th)

El Dorado Hills Art and Wine Affaire (Sat & Sun, May 12&13)


Whether you are lucky to live near one of these beautiful locations,
or looking for the opportunity to get outta town,
here is all the info:



_____________________________________________________




Don’t miss the 9th Annual El Dorado Hills Art & Wine Affaire at Town Center May 12 & 13
My Spot: Lucky # 7
Over 100 Fine Artists
Live Entertainment both days! 20 El Dorado County Wineries
For more info: 802-6924 or www.eldoradohillsartaffaire.com


To top it all off, I am also super excited to announce that I am having a baby soon
- a Dragon Baby! - and will actually be only weeks away from my due date
when I see all of you at the shows! :D

Hope to see you there!!! And please spread the word.
~Kimberly