Christian teen, composer team up for national hit

Contact: Don Otis, Veritas Communications, 719-275-7775

FT. COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 27, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Teresa Scanlan (Miss Nebraska) became the youngest to win the Miss America Pageant since 1937.  She won the talent category on the third night of preliminary competition giving indication that she might be one of fifteen contestants competing for the final.

Scanlan is a mature, 17-year-old homeschooled teen whose faith in Christ enabled her rise above the competition. To win the talent portion, she turned to the talented musician and arranger, Calvin Jones for help.

BMI writer Jones (see www.calvinjones.com) mentored Scanlan in performing his composition Whitewater Chopped Sticks, a fast-paced arrangement she's been doing in local and statewide pageants since she was thirteen.

At the Miss America Pageant, Jones says, "She nailed the song with incredible speed and finesse.  Teresa is a very accomplished and talented pianist. She is a quick study." Jones was notified by the firm clearing music for the televised Miss America Pageant that his arrangement of "Chopsticks" was scheduled to be performed. 

Jones and Scanlan met in Fort Collins in November where he consulted with Teresa on how it should be played. He edited the full version of "Whitewater Chopped Sticks" down to 90 seconds for the talent competition.

Scanlan says, "It was so incredible to meet someone who has been an idol of mine for years! Calvin is a phenomenal musician and I was so inspired by the things he showed me. We revised the edits... and added some fantastic flourishes and fancy details."

For Jones, also a Christian, his journey as a composer watching his rendition win the Miss America Pageant, is a dream come true. "I was in total disbelief when they announced she had won. This is one of those things you never expect to happen, but God brings about these surprises when you least expect them."

In the words of one critic, "If brilliant piano performance could be likened to a painting, Calvin Jones routinely executes a 'musical Mona Lisa.'" His four international releases "Through High Places", "Coming Home" and "Uncharted Waters" are solo piano. In his fourth release "Acoustic Passion", Jones teams up with producer Jerry Marcellino (Michael Jackson, Diana Ross) and Kerry Livgren of "Kansas" fame ("Dust in the Wind," "Carry On") who performed all the guitars on the album.

For more information about Calvin Jones and his music see: www.calvinjones.com

To schedule an interview with Jones, call Don Otis @ Veritas Communications 719.275.7775 or email: interviews@veritasincorporated.com