Songs at the Center

Student episode, featuring great emerging singer-songwriters, aged 16-20, "discovered" through regional Songs at the Centerworkshops. Artists: Sienna Stocky, Olivia Martinez, Hunter Rich, Sadie Johnson, Grace Matombe, and by songwriter Eric Gnezda. SIENNA STOCKY, 18, writes and performs songs with hints of Celtic influences while sporting a youthful American edge. She first sang on stage at a music festival in the hills of southeast Ohio when she was just four years old. Ever since, she has made a deliberate effort not to emulate other artists and has developed a sound and style which is compelling, recognizable, and all her own. OLIVIA MARTINEZ, 16, is a sophomore at Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland. She has been writing songs for two years and enjoys performing at local venues. When Olivia is not playing her guitar, she can usually be found ballet dancing at The Beck Center for the Arts. She attended Interlochen Center for the Arts on a partial scholarship. HUNTER RICH, 18, cut his songwriting teeth in his native Columbus, Ohio, and will be attending American University in the fall. He plans to travel the world raising awareness of various humanitarian issues prevalent in today's society, and harnessing music as a universal language to promote peace, prosperity, and well-being for all cultures. SADIE JOHNSON, a student at Marietta College, first picked up the guitar at the age of six and has since developed into an inspiring blues guitarist, composer and performer. Recently opening for Delbert McClinton, she has numerous individual and ensemble jazz fest awards. Sadie is also a compassionate leader with a heart for children and music therapy, serving as a representative for Blue Star Connection, an organization that provides instruments to children with cancer and other illnesses. GRACE MATOMBE, of the Congo, is a student at Marietta College. Her passion is Gospel music, of which she says, "If music heals the soul, Gospel music heals the spirit, the heart, the thoughts, and the soul. " She plays and writes on the keyboard.