Thursday, August 30, 2007

Who We Are

Taking Turns is a children’s entertainment group that creates world music for children that adults can also enjoy. Through Taking Turns’ music children and parents can come together to dance, learn and explore the world’s cultures.
Based in Guelph, Ontario Canada, Taking Turns was created through the collaboration between Luciana De Santis and Amadeo Ventura. For the past 15 years Luciana De Santis has had great experience working with children of all ages. She has worked in diverse childcare settings as well as different countries. Luciana has excelled professionally as a childcare educator and as a storyteller and entertainer. Amadeo Ventura has been working with the fusion of world and contemporary urban music for over 12 years. Growing up in Toronto, Canada, Amadeo started a Latin Jazz band at the age of 16. He has recorded and performed with New York jazz giants Jerry Gonzalez and John Stubblefield, as well as, LA’s Poncho Sanchez and Cuba’s Sierra Maestra. As leader of the Mambo Urbano Orchestra, Amadeo wrote and produced several singles, one of which ranked in the top ten music charts in France and England.
Taking Turns’ first musical work is a CD called Continental Kids – The Americas. This is one of many CDs to come that will cover world music. Through their CD children and their families will learn different languages and become familiar with a variety of rhythms and instruments that are used in each culture. The Americas is a fun and lively CD that will inspire everyone to move and groove to the Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Reggae, Blues and more…