AJ Arts & Entertainment

June 24, 2009

Dreaming big while keeping her feet on the ground

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

It’s been 50 years since Berry Gordy Jr. started Motown Records and changed the face of music by launching the careers of legends like Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Smokey Robinson.

On Saturday, June 27, the Hilton, in downtown Scranton, will celebrate this milestone by hosting the 50th Anniversary of Motown, an Entertainment Unlimited event. The concert will feature local musicians playing Motown hits, and to honor stars of yesterday, they have invited a star of tomorrow to perform: Dani-elle.

At 13, Dani-elle, of Jermyn, will be the youngest performer taking the stage this weekend. A singer/songwriter, Dani-elle would normally classify herself as a country singer, but she said she didn’t hesitate to agree to the show when asked by Entertainment Unlimited.

“My first love is country, but I try to be diverse,” said Dani-elle. Not in high school yet, the St. Rose Academy eighth grader is a well- known in the country music world. Dani-elle and her family have made frequent trips to Nashville, where Dani-elle studies with professional vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams, whose students include Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Emma Mae Jacob and Martina McBride.

“Renee teaches everyone,” said Dani-elle. “We found her web site one day and were impressed, so I sent in a demo and she said she’d like to work with me.”

Dani-elle practices with Grant-Williams on the phone when she is not able to make the trip to Nashville. And when Dani-elle does travel, she takes advantage of the opportunity to perform live, giving her a chance to be seen and heard by a new audience.

Currently working on her first album, which she hopes to release later this year, Dani-elle has already garnered praise from those in the business, including artists she looks up to. After sending country artist Taylor Swift a copy of her demo, Dani-elle got the chance to meet the musician and hear her feedback when Swift’s tour brought her to Montage.

“She told me she thought my voice was awesome and her advice to was to dream big and keep my feet on the ground,” said Dani-elle.

Dani-elle said she got her first taste of performing in front of a crowd during a Christmas pageant at church when she was three.

In addition to singing, Dani-elle, a Jermyn resident, also plays guitar and piano. She is the daughter of Basil and Debbie Kleha and said even if she doesn’t make it as a performer she would like to work in the music business, perhaps as a vocal coach like Renee. Right now she is focused on her dream and says she hopes to be performing for a long time.

Dani-elle will be sharing the stage with the Paramounts, Them Again, The Everly Brothers Tribute by Dick and Tom. The show is on Saturday, June 27, at the Hilton, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton. Doors open at 5 p.m., happy hour is from 5 to 6 p.m. with music from 7 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $40 for dinner and the show, or show tickets only for $15 after 8 p.m. For details, call 570.343.2429, 570.457.2808, or 570.558.7377. For more information on Dani-elle, visit http://dani-ellesings.com/.

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