Hollywood: Lara Avengoza hit it big last June 28 on her debut concert at Celebrity Center in Hollywood. Lara has now convinced the music community’s talent watchers that she has what it takes to be a major performer, if not a star.
Up-and-coming rising vocalist Lara Avengoza is hitting the music industry scene with her debut CD project simply titled, “Listen” released in 2008. But don’t let the ‘up-and-coming’ label fool you, she has been singing since the age of 3 and began formal training at the age of 7 as she learned various techniques and styles from the likes of Sarah Stokes, Clark Harris and recently with Annie Nepomuceno (group Three Of A Kind). She has been entertaining audiences all over the world. One of her first high-profile performances was in 2000 when she, along with a children’s choir, got to sing for Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome.
Her performances since then have ranged the gamut from being the lead role for musicals to opening act for international recording artists to singing back-up at major shows and concerts. Lara was the opening act for Jasmine Trias, Season 3 finalist on the hit-TV show juggernaut, American Idol and A.J. Tabaldo, another American Idol contestant. With that, she has also sung back-up vocals for recording artist singer-extradornaire Lani Misalucha (a Las Vegas perennial who sings with the popular and entertaining group from Hawaii, Society Of Seven). Also, Lara has performed with international vocal group, Three Of A Kind at the annual FAL (Filipino-American Library) Spirit Awards held at the lavish Biltmore Hotel where she shared the stage with Film & TV actress, Tia Carrere (‘Wayne’s World’ & TV’s ‘Relic Hunter’) and three-time Grammy Award winner, Daniel Ho along with Broadway and musical-theater veteran, Stephanie Reese. Also, Lara sang with the aforementioned group at the nationally televised annual Christmas Holiday Celebration at the famed and historic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. In 2006, at The Eighth Annual Entertainment and Achievement Awards, Lara was honored to win both the Best Female Vocalist and Best Female Performer awards.
In her spare time, Lara has also enjoyed a flourishing career in the theater. As a leading lady, she played the role of Tina in the light-hearted musical-romantic comedy, “Tina and the Magic Mirror”, a spin-off from various popular Broadway musicals including, “West Side Story,” “South Pacific”, “Camelot” and “The Phantom of the Opera” among others as well as other popular pop ballads that are woven together which provides the romantic ingredient in the plot. Before that, she played the role of Diwata in the musical opera, “Karim At Jasmin” where it drew critical acclaim and toured on the West Coast. Also, other roles include the national tour in 2006-2007 for the very popular and entertaining children’s musical production of, “A Kid’s Life!” as the role of the owl, Bella.
With all of this experience under her belt, Lara wanted to concentrate as a solo recording artist. In 2005, Lara along with international performer, Kris Lawrence performed alongside together in Los Angeles called, “Back 2 Back” where the concert gave a glimpse into Lara’s varied musical influences such as Alicia Keys and Celine Dion among others as a recording artist and vocalist.
That concert back then was a pre-cursor which leads into her most recent CD titled, “Listen.” It’s a project that showcases her vocal prowess in rhythmic-pop tunes, ballads, and even a little flavor from the pop/rock arena. One of the first singles to be released is, “More Than I Should” where it will be released online through her MySpace page and various online music sites for her fans to gravitate towards with plans for a major radio and marketing push. Other hit singles include, “Hold On To My Love”, “Favorite Story” and the title track, “Listen.” Lara says about the first single, “This is one of my favorite songs on the CD, the lyrics spoke to me…” The CD is slated to be released in 2008 where Lara plans to promote and market the CD project nationwide with various appearances throughout the country.
Look out Hollywood. Lara Avengoza is the new shining singer to watch!