2014 Kokoro To Headline 'Let The Groove Get In' Dancing With The Rising Stars 2 Benefit DanceNEW

The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program presents "Let the Grove Get In" - Dancing with the Rising Stars 2, a benefit fundraiser for the Nikkei Federation Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program. Set for Saturday, September 20, 2014, the dance starts at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 12 a.m. Toru will open the dance with his popular line dance lessons at 7 p.m. "Let the Grove Get In" will be held at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kaikan in downtown Los Angeles.�

The popular band Kokoro will headline the dance. Kokoro, "Music with Soul" is a music group consisting of almost all Asian Americans, and covers music from Motown to country, rock and pop; from the hits of the 60's to current Billboard chart toppers. In Japanese, "kokoro" is used to signify "heart" or "soul".��In music, the drums keep the beat, or the "heart" of the music.��The keyboards, bass and guitar represent the body of the music, and the vocals embody the "soul".

The members of Kokoro came together to form a band out of the pure love of music � and together, they have found something beyond just performing together, but shaped their own musical family. Band members include Glenn Nishida, musical director, bass, electric guitar and harmonica; Lauren Wong, Steven Santiago and Jennifer Cella, vocals; Wayne Horino, keyboards/vocals; Michael Chug, lead electric guitar, vocals; Wayne Nagao, Keyboards, guitar and bass guitar; Gary Liebasack, drums; and Jesse Acuna, congas, percussion.�

Please join us for an exciting and fun filled evening of dancing and socializing and support the Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program. �Attire is casual and flat heel shoes only are allowed on the wood gym floor.� High heels will not be allowed on the dance floor. Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kaikan is located at 815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Presale ticket are available for $500 sponsor table for 10 guests includes appetizers at their table or $35 individual tickets. Deadline for Sponsor tables is September 15 and individual tickets will be $50 at the door.�

Make checks payable to: The Rising Stars.� Please include your name, Email address, phone number and number of tickets. Indicate sponsor level or individual tickets and include names of table guests. Mail checks and ticket orders to "Dancing with the Rising Stars 2" c/o Glenn Nakatani, P.O. Box 4235, Covina, CA 91723.

For more information about the dance contact Carol Tanita, 626.281.8894 at [email protected]; Wayne Nagao, 310.374.0690 at [email protected]; Ron Dyo, 626.963.0818 at [email protected]; or Cheryl Murase, 562.335.0777 at [email protected]

Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program, presented by the Nikkei Federation, is a leadership development and cultural education program for high school students. It is designed to develop leadership skills and to inspire youth involvement in the Japanese American community through a series of active, engaging workshops on a variety of leadership topics. Visit our website at: http://www.nikkeifederation.org� For information about the Rising Stars call 213.254-5722, or email [email protected] The Nikkei Federation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Federal Tax ID# 95-4758509

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About Kokoro
In Japanese, "kokoro" is used to signify "heart" or "soul".��In music, the drums keep the beat, or the "heart" of the music.��The keyboards, bass and guitar represent the body of the music, and the vocals embody the "soul".

Though Kokoro has only been together a short time, individually the members of Kokoro have had the good fortune to work with many celebrities in the industry, including Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson, Hiroshima, and Gene Simmons, to name a few.��Additionally, throughout their own individual careers, they have played high-level venues such as the Palladium, the Sunset Strip, the Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas and the American Music Awards.

Kokoro prides itself on performing not just the music and lyrics of the song, but getting down to the soul of the song.� After all, as the saying by Frederick Delius goes: "Music is an outburst of the soul."

Lauren Wong -�Vocals
Lauren Wong has been singing professionally for over 10 years, and shared the stage with legendary artists Gladys Knight to contemporary artists such as Jessica Simpson.��She trained both classically as a coloratura soprano as well as in pop vocal with celebrity vocal coach Seth Riggs (Michael Jackson, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Prince).��Lauren's singing has taken her all over the world, including various performances in the�states (including�Hawaii) and as far away as Japan.�

A fourth-generation Japanese-American, Lauren is extremely proud of her bi-cultural background, but especially her Japanese heritage, and was honored to be named Nisei Week Queen in 2001.� Now a wife and mother, Lauren is thrilled to be a part of�Kokoro�to get back on stage and do what she loves - sing.

Steven Santiago�-�Vocals
Steven got his start singing in church as a child with his two older sisters.���These performances tapped into his love for music, which further encouraged him to sing in high school as well as join local garage bands.

By age 21 he began fronting one of the premier LA strip bands, "Sarge".� After being scouted by a rep from Motown records, he was asked to become the lead for "Kagny and the Dirty Rats" which went on to record an album of the same name.� On this album, Steven was joined by the iconic Temptations who performed background vocals on three songs.� Steven also performed a duet with Smokey Robinson and was honored to have Junior Walker play sax on three additional tracks.� Two songs from the album made airplay and one music video was featured on MTV.

Steven has had the additional privilege of working with artists such as Marq Torien (Bullet Boys) and�C.C. Deville (Poison).� Since then, Steven has enjoyed being a part of bands like "JX3", "Carry On", "Rad Company", "Thank U Drive Thru", and of course, "Kokoro".

Jennifer Cella�-�Vocals
Jennifer�Cella�is one of the newest members to Kokoro.�Jennifer�sung both Choral and pop music at Citrus College in Glendora. At Citrus she had the opportunity to tour in both Europe and Japan.

Wayne Horino -�Keyboards / Vocals
Wayne first gained his passion for music studying organ and accordion while obtaining his business degree from�California State University, Long Beach.��He has played in many bands including Wheels of Fire, Jefferson Bowl and Soul Reflections.

After working as an accountant, Wayne discovered his true calling in the real estate industry.��He now works as a real estate broker and lives in Rowland Heights with his lovely wife, April.

Wayne has always loved music, and is grateful to have found a home in�Kokoro.

Glenn Nishida -�Bass / Electric Guitar / Harmonica, Musical Director
Glenn Nishida is a veteran of the music industry, having served as Musical Director, Guitarist, and Keyboardist for the bands Flashback and Small Fry on the Sunset Strip for over 10 years.� He was also the lead guitarist for We Five, a folk rock band made famous with their #1 song "You Were On My Mind".

Also an accomplished songwriter, Glenn's work has appeared in various television shows (SpongeBob Squarepants, Oprah, the Steve Harvey Show,�and�The Newlyweds�with Jessica Simpson), national and local television commercials (Verizon Wireless, Real California Milk, ABC-TV Sports,�The Los Angeles Times, and RE/Max), and movies (Pet Cemetary II, Slap Shot II,�and�Beach Balls).

Currently, Glenn is the owner and engineer of Pacifica Studios, a recording studio located in Los Angeles.� Pacifica clients have included Gene Simmons (from the hard-rock band�KISS), Hiroshima, Donovan, Canned Heat, KTWV, and Terrance Howard.

Michael Chung -�Lead Electric�Guitar / Vocals
Michael began playing in bands in his teenage years.� During his "Woodstock" days, his performances centered primarily on the acoustic guitar.� Since then, Michael performed in the "Asian Dance Circuit", including performances at places like Parkview, Rodger Young and the Elk's Club.� He's also performed on the Sunset Strip and Palladium, as well as the Surfrider in Santa Monica.

Michael is just�a rock and roll guitar player who is enjoying the chance to perform once again and enjoys being on stage with�Kokoro.

Wayne Nagao�- Keyboards / Guitar / Bass Guitar
Wayne joined his first band,�Younger Sounds, at the age of 15.� Known for playing in the Asian dance circuit,�Younger Sounds�performed at multiple venues including Parkview and Roger Young.

After playing in various bands in the late 60's and early 70's, including�A Long Time Coming�and�Windfield Summit, Wayne retired from music to work full-time.

He is very excited to�dust off his keyboard�and be back on the stage with�Kokoro. �

Gary Liebsack�-�Drums
Since 1963 Gary has performed alongside legends such as Thee Midniters�and The Shirelles.� He�has backed both the seminal bluesman Jimmy Reed�as well as�60's pop star Freddy Cannon.� Previously, Gary performed�jazz with Alan Furutani and has worked with�both Glenn Nishida�and Dave Watanabe during the disco years�at the�Imperial Gardens in Hollywood. These days he loves the spirit & fun of performing with Kokoro.

Jesse Acuna�-�Congas / Percussion
Jess is a vocalist and percussionist who was formerly with the Grammy-nominated group Hiroshima.� During his time with Hiroshima they toured the US, Japan, Philippines and performed on national television shows including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.� He also holds songwriting credits on their first two albums.

After his time with Hiroshima, he continued to contribute his talents to many other Asian American projects including Visions, Dane Matsumura & Friends, The Atomic Project featuring "Atomic Nancy", and Bonzai.

During his career, Jess taught percussion privately and held drum circle workshops at local elementary schools, Kids' Space Museum and the Gene Autry Museum.� "And the adventure continues...."

For more information about Kokoro visit:��www.kokoroband.�Presale�