St. Charles vocalist to debut 2nd album

Submitted by Becky Hoag

Dawn Harkins, singer, musician, teacher, actor and cabaret artist from St. Charles, is launching her second album, “This Is Romance,” on Sept. 22-23. It was recorded, mixed and mastered in Chicago, in collaboration with Chicago jazz pianist Bobby Schiff.

The public is invited to attend her two CD release performances, with full rhythm section and woodwind instruments, to be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at Villa Verone Upper Club, 416 Hamilton St., Geneva; and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at Harvest Lounge at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Reservations are not required; there is no cover or drink minimum.

Harkins’ first album, “Dawn of a New Day!” was released February 2010, shortly after the birth of her fourth son. She originally developed the material in a cabaret show she premiered at Davenport’s Cabaret in Chicago in 2009.

Harkins so enjoyed the process of creating both the cabaret and her first album, that she began researching material for a second project of this type. Inspired by one of the songs on the first album, “I Double Dare You,” she looked for more music written by the same composers, Terry Shand and Jimmy Eaton. She not only came across another great tune of theirs, “Cry, Baby, Cry,” but discovered a wealth of material from the same era, the 1930s, waiting to be performed. Bobby Schiff created new arrangements for horns and strings for many of the tunes and this second album, “This Is Romance,” was developed.

“After hearing the master copy, the album really has the feeling and emotion I was looking for in this work,” Harkins said. “This is the culmination of a full year’s work and I know others will enjoy it as much as I do.”

Harkins has sung with Elgin Choral Union and Arts Chorale, DuPage Opera, Heartland Voices of Elgin and St. Charles Singers. She works with Rising Star Theatreworks in Geneva, vocal directing two productions per year and teaching the occasional musical theater course for young performers. She also acted and sang professionally with the American Girl Theatre in Chicago.

The CD will be available starting Sept. 22 through the websites, cdbaby.com/cd/DawnHarkins and iTunes; and at local music store Kiss the Sky in Geneva. Signed copies will be available at the CD release performances. To learn more about Dawn Harkins, visit dawnharkins.com.