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17 - YEAR - OLD CALISTA QUINN IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE

Duets from the Heart is an ongoing series of holiday albums featuring the most amazing kids. While on tour, Calista was inspired by a young fan after a performance. This little angel told Calista that she was her biggest fan and that one day she wants to be a singer just like her. After their interaction, the little girl's mom told Calista that her daughter was suffering from a chronic disease, and unfortunately they did not have the time, energy or finances to fulfill their daughter's dream. It was at that moment Calista knew she wanted to do something for kids like her. "I have been so fortunate to be where I am, I really want to give other kids the chance to embody what it feels like to do what I do. I want them to create their own music legacy that they will be proud of. Battling a chronic illness can unfortunately hinder so many things that we all take for granted on a daily basis. I want to give opportunity to aspiring young songbirds, as well as a chance to channel their inner ROCKSTAR!" Duets from the Heart is finally here with its first album, Christmas Day. We are proud to say that all proceeds of the sale of this album will go to Childrens's Specialized Hospital and David's Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation.

WHAT IS DUETS FROM THE HEART

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MEET THE TEAM

CALISTA QUINN |

FOUNDER

RECORDING ARTIST

"It is my mission to create a place where music may be the source of joy, peace, kindness, and love by bringing souls together to share their musical gifts with each other here and all over the world." -Sal Dupree

DESMOND DENNIS | PRODUCER

To the public eye, 17- year - old Calista Quinn is best known for her musical talents. However, those near and dear to Calista know who she is beyond her musical influence. Calista is a teenager that chooses to live her life to the fullest. She is a home - schooled senior in high school who will be attending college next year. She intends to become an enterainment attorney. Calista has achieved many of her goals at this young age. She loves giving back and doing positive things that will benefit those around her. She has been and continues to be an inspiration to everyone around her both young and old. Duets from the Heart (DFTH) is her biggest charitable endeavor yet. Calista is currently in the process of making Duets from the Heart a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit.

She has big plans of taking DFTH to the next level!

SAL DUPREE | VOCAL COACH

Sal Dupree is a renowed vocal coach to the stars. Countless students of Dupree have gone on to achieve greatness any many more are just now starting out on their path to stardom. Vocal performers, stage and screen actors, even beauty queens have turned to Dupree Performing Arts to harness their talents and learn the true meaning of sharing one’s soul on stage

MORE ABOUT CALISTA

CO-FOUNDER

SHERRY VACIRCA |

By her daughter's side, Sherry VaCirca has lent her hand in facilitating Duets from the Heart. She has helped guide Calista in making this project a success. Sherry is excited to watch DFTH blossom into an amazing organization that provides superstar experiences to children and adolescents with chronic illness who have a strong interest in music and singing. Her event planning background and vast knowledge of the music industry both lay down a strong foundation for Duets from the Heart.

With over one million fans on social media and nearly 600 million views on his videos Desmond Dennis is carving his way to stardom one project at a time. Desmond is not only a Grammy nominated song writer, stellar vocalist and performer, superstar YouTube creator, but he is also the genius that made these vocal duets so amazing. Desmond's skills as a music producer, engineer and vocal producer took this project to the next level. Desmond is on fire with his new content called "Desmond's Kids Jamz." He has released a full collection of R&B remakes of classic nursery rhymes as well as incredible original kids' songs that kids love and have moms coming back for more! Desmond so graciously and generously joined the team of DFTH the minute Calista asked him.

about.

MEET DUET'S SUPERSTAR SINGERS

When Alexis was 10 she was hit by a car while riding her bike. Rushed to an acute care hospital, she underwent seven hours of emergency surgery. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fracture of her C7 vertebra, a broken leg, ruptured spleen and needed multiple skin grafts. Following her surgeries, Alexis was transferred to PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ where she went through many weeks of physical, occupational and cognitive therapies to learn to walk again. Alexis recalls, “I had to learn how to do all the basics again and Children’s Specialized was right there with me, continuously guiding me and supporting me. The day I took my first steps was one of the proudest days I remember.” Five years later, with the support of her family and the help of her doctors and therapists, Alexis is pursuing her dream to become a Broadway performer. Alexis Simon is a true Champion!

Alexis Simon

Isabel Rita

Isabel, who her family and those close to her dubbed as Izzy Warrior Princess, was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor just two weeks after her first birthday. On Sept. 16, 2014, Izzy underwent a 10-hour open biopsy and a couple of months later began her chemo – 42 infusions over the course of 14 months. The surgery and chemotherapy were tough on Izzy’s little body, but she continued to prove that she is much tougher. On January 14, 2016 just one day shy of her very last chemotherapy infusion, Izzy took her first 18 independent steps during physical therapy at Children’s Specialized Hospital. Izzy lives with the tumor, but doesn’t let it or everything that comes with her diagnosis define her. She is now six years old, and despite so many challenges she continues to face, she is thriving and continuing to inspire all who meet her. She loves to dance, sing, cook, travel, and mostly, to make those around her smile and enjoy life just as she does.

Ben Laufman

Elena Aversa

Ben was born in April 2001 in Israel. When he was six months old, his doctor saw early signs of autism. At 18 months, he was officially diagnosed with autism. His mother hired an occupational therapist who worked with him five hours per day. When Ben was four years old, they moved to the U.S. for better opportunities. Ben began speaking when he was five with the help of a speech pathologist. Currently, Ben is broadcasting the news at his high school and mentoring other teens on how to do a broadcast. Music has always been a big part of his life. He played guitar for a year before adding vocal lessons to his regimen. Ben has been told he has perfect pitch. His dream is to continue his love for music by pursuing a degree in music at Rutgers University.

At 19 months old, Elena was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft connective tissue, after a pelvic tumor was discovered in July of 2014. She underwent 40 weeks of chemo at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and in May of 2015 was considered NED (no evidence of disease) and has remained cancer free since. She radiates happiness and has a zest for life that is palpable. She loves the spotlight and singing is a hobby for her (mostly to the radio in the car with Mommy and her sister, Annalise!) Duets from the Heart has given her an opportunity of a lifetime and only furthered her passion for music and performing.

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THE CAUSE

David's Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation is a grass roots non profit in NJ. They have provided over 1.3 million dollars of financial aid to more than 1,500 families affected by cancer diagnosis in the garden state.

Duets from the Heart chose two non-profit organizations to benefit from the sale of their first Christmas album

David's Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation and Children's Specialized Hospital. Both organizations were chosen because they directly impact and help so many families in need of support. Children's Specialized Hospital helps children suffering from chronic illness. It is an amazing facility that children and their families call home while they are being treated. David's Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation raises money for families affected by a cancer diagnosis and awards grants to families in need, no questions asked. They are both tremendous charitable organizations that I feel I want to benefit from Duets from the Heart. - Calista Quinn

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILDREN'S SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

DAVID'S DREAM &BELIEVE CANCER FOUNDATION

Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation's mission is to inspire and secure philanthropic support for Children's Specialized Hospital, the preeminent provider of specialized healthcare for children and adolescents facing special health challenges - from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries to developmental and behavioral issues like autism and mental health. Working with parents and families, award winning doctors, researchers and pediatric specialists, Children's Specialized Hospital depends on the generosity of donors to discover new innovative ways to help more children overcome their health challenges. All donations go directly to pioneer new specialized children's care and serve more children in need.