The Jalm Experience is a group of 5 independent musical artists from the New York Metro area who come together to create dynamic concert experiences throughout the Northeast area and beyond! Comprised of four singers – Dorothy Dobkowski, Mingo Long, Kim Mesiti, Jason Tamashausky and led by director Jalmari Vanamo, the group performs vocal numbers in classical, Broadway musical theater and jazz styles. The group engages audiences with their charismatic personalities, distinct musicality and heartfelt storytelling. The joy of this group emanates to young and old alike and “The Jalm Experience” resonates long after the concert is over. We are excited to be performing in Jackson Hole this season and thank you for welcoming us!
Dorothy Dobkowski is a Brooklyn native turned Jersey girl with a great passion for music of all kinds. Classically trained by teachers at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Mannes College of Music and private teacher Maria Fattore of Queens, NY, Dorothy is most often found singing at various churches in the Northern New Jersey area. Dorothy has also performed with Palame Productions luncheon cabaret and Xavier Company touring drama group. Favorite theatre roles include: Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, SPTP (Nurse), Annie, Montclair Operetta Club (Grace Farrell), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Marta)*, I Never Saw Another Butterfly (Irena Synkova)* (*Perry Award Nominee) and original musicals Emmaline and the Archangel, by William D’Andrea (Grandma Madeline), and The Choir Room, by Justin Ryan and Cliff Greene (Elizabeth). She has recorded with Aria Recording and Divine Mercy Records. She is a founding member of The Jalm Experience and most grateful to be sharing the stage with these fine artists and friends. Love, Music, Laughter and a nice beverage always! Thank you for supporting music and the arts – may your hearts be full and your joys abundant.
Mingo Long is a singer/actor who originally hails from Greesboro, NC. Mingo attended North Carolina A&T State University for his undergraduate work in Speech Communication and Theatre Arts and continued his graduate education at the University of Connecticut. After receiving his MFA, Mingo moved to NYC to pursue his active theatrical career. He just finished doing a production of Man of LaMancha in Sarosota, FL at the Asolo Rep Theatre, and Arsenic and Old Lace in New Hampshire at the Barnstormers Theatre. Some of his favorite roles include: Coalhouse in Ragtime, Jim in Big River, Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess, Delray in Memphis, Poppa in Starlight Express, Pa in The Color Purple, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma, Oliver Hix in The Quartet of The Music Man and so many more. He has done several Off-Broadway shows including Liberty, A Monumental New Musical and regional tours in and out of the United States, including Les Mis and the First National Tour of Parade, the musical, directed by Hal Prince. Mingo enjoys singing, acting and gardening. He gives thanks to his partner, Bob, for all his love and support and to his parents for bringing him up in a good Christian home, teaching him to treat all as you would want to be treated and to always put God first. Thank you, Jalm, for this experience and working with this talented group of actors and singers Dorothy, Kim, and Jason.
Kimberley Mesiti is thrilled to be here in Jackson Hole with The Jalm Experience! In addition to some cabaret work and classical/choral endeavors, Kim has also been pursuing her passion as an actress, having studied with James Price at The Acting Studio, and various coaches from Anthony Meindl’s Actor Workshop and LaGuardia Acting Studio. Some previous theatrical roles include Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast and the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire. Other favorites include Nancy in Oliver!, Trina in Falsettos, Martha in The Secret Garden, Violet Hilton in Side Show, The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Witch in Into The Woods, Josephine in Big Fish, and Mrs. Walker in The Who’s Tommy. Independent Film credits include principal roles in: Laughs in Limbo (Hoboken Int’l Film Festival), Amidst the Wolves and The Longest Days. Kim also sings as Cantor for Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield and as cantor/section leader for other diverse choral groups and churches in the Metro area. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from William Paterson University and continues her vocal studies with various teachers and mentors. When she is not performing, you can often find her curled up with a book or planning her next travel adventure! Big thanks to everyone in Jackson Hole for their hospitality and making this opportunity happen. Thanks, also, go to Jalm, Dorothy, Mingo and Jason for their friendship and trust. XOXO
Jason Tamashausky is a middle school music educator in Woodbridge, NJ. He has been performing in concerts, theaters and churches for over thirty years. Jason has earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a Master of Music degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. While working on his graduate degree he was fortunate enough to travel to Budapest to study Hungarian music and teaching methods. In addition to his music studies, Jason has performed many roles in various theater companies throughout New Jersey. With Spring Lake Theater Company he was seen in The Secret Garden (Archibald), Dracula (Harker), Sherlock Holmes (Watson), and How to Succeed in Business…(Gatch). At 4th Wall Theater Company his favorite roles were in Bright Star (Daryl), It Shoulda Been You (Albert), The Rink (Lino), and Kiss of the Spider Woman (Molina), for which he was nominated for an NJACT Perry Award. He has also enjoyed performing with Plays in the Park and Playhouse 22. In addition to his theatrical credits, Jason has sung in many churches of various denominations, specializing in the performance of Gregorian Chant. In his free time Jason enjoys spending time with his niece and four nephews, doing yoga, and attending as many Broadway shows as time and money will allow! Jason has performed in the Showtune and Great American Songbook concerts with Jalm, Kim, Dorothy, and Mingo, whose talent and friendship he truly values. He wishes to thank Karl, for all the support. Enjoy the show!
Jalmari Vanamo (Musical Director/Conductor): is a pianist, organist, accompanist, singer, choir and musical director who is proud to be a first generation American born of 100% Finnish heritage. Music is the soul of the Finns. Jalm has had the privilege of performing with the likes of Montserrat Caballe, Placido Domingo, Joseph Flummerfelt, Zubin Metha, The New Jersey Symphony and The New York Philharmonic. He is a recipient of a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for best ensemble and a Perry Award for Outstanding musical direction for Montclair Operetta Club Musical Theatre’s production of Meet Me in Saint Louis. Jalm is the Organist/Choir Director for Living Hope Presbyterian Church in Clifton, Musical Director at Bergen County Players and serves as a Board Member and Musical Director for the Theater League of Clifton. A graduate of Westminster Choir College, Jalm has also studied and performed at the Julliard School of Music. Jalm thanks his parents for instilling him with this gift of music, and his teachers for teaching him the craft so that he could share it with all those that have made music with him for the past 30 years. He is delighted to be working again with this cast of real-life characters on the music that brings us all together. Thanks to Jackson Hole Chorale for inviting us and to all who made this possible!
30$ Tickets available online or at the door