Dorothy Hamill

Dorothy Hamill's name has been synonymous with figure skating for more than three decades. At age 19, Dorothy took home the gold at the 1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria and went on to win the World Championship title. She is a three-time U.S. champion and an inductee of the Olympic Hall of Fame, U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame and World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

A long-time American icon, Dorothy was influential both on and off the ice. She is credited with developing the "Hamill camel" skating move and captured America by starting a fad with her infamous bobbed hairstyle that she wore when she skated her Olympic gold medal performance.

As a professional, Dorothy has skated with many productions, including eight years with the Ice Capades. She had an unprecedented four ABC television prime time specials produced in her honor. Dorothy continues to tour throughout the country, with speaking engagements and skating shows including, "Broadway on Ice." In late 2007, Dorothy released her memoir entitled "A Skating Life: My Story" from Hyperion Publishing, which made the New York Times Best Seller List. A cancer survivor herself, Dorothy is passionate about supporting and inspiring women through their journey with cancer.

Scott Hamilton

Through "Kaleidoscope," 1984 Olympic Figure Skating Champion Scott Hamilton returns to the ice for the first time on television after being diagnosed with a brain tumor five year ago. In addition to winning every U.S. National Championship and every World Championship from 1981-1984, Scott was the first American male figure skater to win an Olympic medal since 1960. A United States Olympic Hall of Fame inductee and a privileged member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, Scott will be a NBC commentator during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. A two- time cancer survivor, Scott is the founder of the Scott Hamilton Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship. The Scott Hamilton C.A.R.E.S. and its Web site, Chemocare.com , are housed at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Olivia Newton-John

Four-time GRAMMY-Award winning singer Olivia Newton-John has been making a mark on music for over 30 years. She has earned five No.1 albums, 10 Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 Singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 albums. Olivia was awarded Most Promising Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music and a GRAMMY Award as Best Country Vocalist in 1973. Other successes include receiving American Music Awards and People's Choice Awards, and being inducted into the Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Taking her singing talent to the big screen in the 1978 movie musical "Grease" catapulted Olivia to stardom and generated one of the most successful film soundtracks in Hollywood history. Olivia has successfully overcome her own battle with breast cancer, which inspired her self-penned and produced album, "GAIA" – her most personal album reflecting upon her experiences with cancer becoming a positive inspiration to millions of people battling cancer. As a passionate activist for the eradication of breast cancer Olivia helped fund the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre and was instrumental in the creation of Liv-Aid, a device created to ease self breast exams for women.

David Foster

A 15-time GRAMMY-Award winning songwriter and producer with an unprecedented 44 nominations, David Foster is recipient of seven Canadian Juno Awards, an Emmy Award and a three-time Oscar nominee. David has helped shape and advance the careers promising young stars and classic stalwarts.

Throughout his career, David worked as a producer with a wide range of musical stars, including: Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, Cher, Andrea Bocelli, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Boz Scaggs, Olivia Newton-John, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Bryan Adams, & Christina Aguilera and has produced debut albums for The Corrs, Michael Bublé, Renee Olstead, and Josh Groban.

He also composed "Winter Games" – the theme song for 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. His current productions include a PBS special and Andrea Bocelli's Christmas album, which will be released this fall.

Kristi Yamaguchi

The 1992 Olympic Champion, Kristi Yamaguchi, also counts World and U.S. Championships among her figure skating successes. Following her victories, Kristi toured with "Stars on Ice" for ten years, won numerous professional competitions, frequently appeared on television specials and collaborated with several choreographers to create diverse programs. In 2003, she premiered her own TV special "Kristi Yamaguchi's Friends and Family" which is still an annual televised special. In 2008, Kristi became the champion of the sixth season of ABC's megahit Dancing with the Stars.

Kristi also authored two books, "Figure Skating for Dummies" and "Kristi Yamaguchi, Always Dream." Among her numerous awards and accolades, Kristi was named to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1998, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

One of her lasting legacies will be her Always Dream Foundation, founded in 1996. The foundation (www.alwaysdream.org) has been an active fundraiser and supporter of children's charities. They are currently building a playground where all children, including those confronting the challenges of a disability can play together. Kristi remains active as a corporate spokesperson and television host. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband – Stanley Cup Champion Bret Hedican – and their two young daughters.

Nancy Kerrigan

Receiving her first international medal at the 1991 World Figure Skating Championships, Nancy went on to receive a bronze and silver medals in the 1992 and 1994 Olympic games. Since her competitive career, Nancy has appeared in a variety of ice skating shows including the 2006 FOX television program Skating with Celebrities, Champions on Ice and a held a small role in the 2007 film Blades of Glory. She will also provide exclusive video reports for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver

Nancy has been active in creating The Nancy Kerrigan Foundation--in honor of her mother who is legally blind-- to raise awareness and support for the vision impaired.

Rachael Flatt

At 16 years old, Rachael Flatt is one of the top figure skating contenders for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. A U.S. Champion at the age of 12 in the novice ladies division, Rachael was junior runner-up a year later in 2006. Her senior debut came in 2007 with a fifth place finish just before becoming World Junior Champion in 2008 and earning silver medals at both the 2008 & 2009 U.S. Championships.

Brandon Mroz

Elite figure skater Brandon Mroz is the 2009 U.S. silver medalist, a two-time U.S. junior silver medalist (2007-08), and a two-time Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist (2007-08). He also won a silver medal at the 2006 U.S. Championships as a novice. Brandon comes from a family of skaters – his mom was an ice dancer and his dad was a hockey player. Brandon got the skating bug at 3 ½ when he first took lessons and didn't want to leave the ice. He began competing in the 2001-2002 season and moved up the ranks over the years to become an accomplished national and international skater. Brandon lives and trains in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Katharine McPhee

Katharine McPhee warmly laughs as she confesses she's been in "artistic hiding" for the last few years. "It took me a long time to figure out where I wanted to go and be as an artist," she says. "I needed time to learn who I was as a musician." Once she discovered the answer, however, her path was sure and swift. On Unbroken, her Verve Records debut, listeners will discover a glorious side of McPhee previously untapped. Poignant, vital lyrics swell over full, lush melodies. McPhee's supple, clear voice, resonating with emotion and confidence, caresses each note on this collection of soon-to- be pop classics.

Katharine McPhee Unbroken [B0013207-02] Available January 5, 2010.
www.katharinemcphee.com
www.vervemusicgroup.com

David Archuleta

David Archuleta is an amazing singer/songwriter. At the ripe old age of 10 he won the Children's Division of the Utah Talent Competition. At 12 he won the Junior Vocalist Category of Star Search. At 16, he was one of the youngest contestants and runner up on the 7th season of American Idol. In September of 2008 he released his Self-Titled album on Jive Records, and his first single "Crush" debuted at #2 on The Billboard Hot 100 charts. He was listed as Forbes Magazine’s #2 Breakout Artist of 2008. That same year he won multiple Teen Choice Awards including "Best Love Song" and “Best Tour”. David toured the UK this year opening for McFly, sold out his headlining spring tour, and toured with Demi Lovato this past summer. In September David won an Alma Award for "Breakout Artist".

He's appeared on iCarly and Hannah Montana, dueting with Miley Cyrus on "I Don't Know Why".

David has just released his new Christmas Album "Christmas From The Heart" and is about to hit the road for his Winter tour.

Viktor Petrenko

Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion figure skater. During his competitive career Viktor represented the Soviet Union, the Unified Team, and Ukraine. Petrenko currently lives in the United States and works as an ISU Technical Specialist, tours professionally, and coaches figure skating.

Ashley Wagner

Eighteen year old Ashley Wagner began skating at age five in Eagle River, Alaska. She is a 2009 World Junior Champion, and 2008 U.S. National Bronze Medalist. She is currently competing in the ISU Grand Prix Series with her hopes set on the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White

Meryl Davis and Charlie White are the 2009 U.S. and Four Continents Ice Dance Champions. They are currently ranked in the top 10 in the world ice dance standings, and have won first place in all three of their 2009 Grand Prix Series competitions. Davis & White are considered to be the in strong contention for the 2010 Olympic games.

Stephen Eno Makia

When Stephen Eno Makia was 12 years old, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma stage 4 cancer at Texas Children's Hospital. He received chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Texas Children's Cancer Center. He has an identical twin brother, Sterling, who helped him ring the bell on his final day of radiation. Stephen has been in remission for over 3 years and presently attends Taylor High School in Alief, where he is a very active student. Stephen is often described as courteous and smart by his educators. He loves sports and is a former football player and youth basketball coach. Stephen is a member of the Taylor Varsity Choir and Production Theatre. Stephen is also active in his church, where he is a member of the Voices of Faith Choir, Victory Team of Praise Dance Troupe and Watchmen on the Wall. He loves to sing and was given a blessing through the," Purple Songs can Fly Project" and its founder Anita Kruse. After graduation Stephen is interested in pursuing a career in Fine Arts.

Mary Jo Stavinoha

Mary Jo Stavinoha is nine years old and in the fourth grade. She has a seven year old little brother, a five-year-old little sister, and two dogs. She loves to ride horses, sing, swim, play softball and play outside. She has been through a lot in her nine years and has fought cancer for over 2 and half years. She is now in remission thanks to Doctors, nurses and many others at Texas Children's Hospital. She hopes there will be a cure or a shot for this horrible disease so that other little kids will not have to go through what she has. Mary Jo has had to miss out on a lot of fun things like going to school and missing her friends' birthday parties. She loves horses and wants to have a horse with a trailer one day. She wants to sing and ride horses. Mary Jo plans to name her horse Survivor and thinks that will be a really cool name for her horse. Mary Jo has lots of family and friends who pray she will stay in remission forever. She is very happy that she is a cancer survivor and will always say, "Yes, I am a cancer survivor and I am proud of it."

Nikki Hawkins

Nikki Hawkins was diagnosed at age 10 with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, on April 2006. She was treated at All Children's Hospital in St.Petersburg, Florida. Her tumor was the size of a racket ball. After surgery to remove the tumor, Nikki started 31 days of full cranial and spinal radiation and chemo. Her 14 months of chemo consisted of in patient chemo one week - next week out patient chemo and then the week after out patient chemo - then a break - then we started the cycle all over again. Nikki has been cancer free for 3 years now. She continues to improve in her physical therapy sessions. After the surgery she was unable to use her right arm, which is no longer the case. She is also under the care of an endocrinologist for daily growth hormone shots because she experienced damage from radiation. Nikki has two wonderful little brothers, Jared, 11 and William, 5. She is currently in the 9th grade and doing great.

Alex Harkins

Alex Harkins is 13 years old, and is a survivor of a rare cancer called Hepatoblastoma. This cancerous tumor originates in the liver. She was diagnosed with this disease at the age of one, but after a long surgery, and chemotherapy, in addition to annual check ups, she is now cancer free.

Alex is an active young girl who enjoys traveling with her family, playing volleyball and singing in choir. She loves art, animals and spending time with her friends. She has grown up in a community outside Houston, Texas where she currently lives with her Mom, Dad and younger brother, John.

Zachary Tavlin

Zachary Tavlin, the son of Saber and Robert Tavlin, has been a patient at Texas Children's Hospital Cancer and Hematology Center since 2006. In 2006, after he was diagnosed he was led to "Purple Songs Can Fly". Working with "Purple Songs Can Fly" put the sparkle back in his eyes and reignited his desire to live and do the things he loves to do: sing, dance and act. Zack has had the opportunity to write songs for astronauts, renowned doctors and his songs have gone to the International Space Station, to NOAA's Aquarius, and to the top of Mt. Everest and even on the maiden flight of the world's first underwater airplane! Zack suffers from a rare auto-immune disease that affects his blood platelets and his ability to clot. It is called ITP and his form is chronic. Hematology and Oncology share a floor at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, and share doctors, which is how he became so passionate about the plight of those battling cancer. At 14, Zack has been a working actor for 12 years, even through his illness. He has been on stage as, "Chip", in Broadway Across America's, "Beauty and the Beast", participated in many community theater productions and on the professional stage around Houston. In his free time, Zack loves to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer and the importance of Arts in Medicine in treating the whole child. He is also very active on CaringBridge, where he has made many friends.