DEBORAH GIBSON GIVES BACK TO NEW YORK

Deborah Gibson

Pop and Broadway Star Deborah “Debbie” Gibson brings her elite performing arts camp home to New York City. A two-day intensive will be held May 1 and May 2 at Ripley Grier Studios. A portion of the proceeds from "Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth" will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). "I have long been involved with BC/EFA since first starring on Broadway in Les Miz," said Camp Founder Deborah Gibson. "Now, more than ever, we cannot forget about educating kids in the arts as well as giving back to our community through charitable organizations. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to combine the two by teaching kids how to give back while giving them real deal arts training at the same time. I am both a New Yorker and a fan of the work Broadway Cares does on an ongoing basis so I am beyond excited about this collaboration!" The electric youth, ages 10 to 20, will have classes in voice, dance and pop performance. Gibson will be teaching the pop performance class. There will also be a special master vocal class with Gibson's voice teacher Joan Lader and a special music theater audition class with agent Lucille DiCampli from McDonald Selznick & Associates. Executive Director of Broadway Cares Tom Viola said, "We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Deborah Gibson as she proves once again that she cares deeply about her many communities. With her camp, Deborah embraces a community of young artists; empowering and inspiring them to flourish both on and off the stage. And to teach this next generation of artists about selflessness and compassion for those who are less fortunate is an even greater gift. We salute Deborah and everyone at ‘Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth.’" Originally from New York, Gibson has starred in many Broadway shows, including “Les Miserables,” Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” “Gypsy,” and “Cabaret.” She exploded on the pop music scene at the tender age of 16 and quickly became the youngest person ever to write, produce and perform a number one single, “Fooolish Beat,” a record she still holds today in the Guinness Book of World Records. Gibson’s passion to mentor and foster young performers and songwriters led her to create “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth,” a series of performing arts camps and songwriting/recording intensives. Founded in July 2008, “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth” provides a nurturing, creative, disciplined, and fun atmosphere for young people who are serious about embarking on a career in entertainment. For audition information, visit www.deborahgibsonselectricyouth.com

Photo By: Walter McBride/Retna