The GEMA ROCKS audience was treated to a show that most are calling “the best ever” with memorable performances from beginning to end and amazing musical talent on display with the alumni and student performers spanning six decades of graduating classes! Enhanced this year by the addition of a horn section, string section and world percussion ensemble, the “feel-good” vibe on stage and genuine camaraderie among the performers was highly evident and served to only elevate the incredible performances.

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Here is the list of alumni, student and faculty who performed in the show:

Executive Producer & Director - Teddy Zambetti (C ’80)
Hosts: Marcel Arsenault (C ’07), Bill Danoff ((I ’68) & Greta Gaines (C ’89)
Music Director: Gary Kearns (F ’79)
Vocal Director: Kirsten Thien (B ’93)
Horn Arranger: Marcel Arsenault
Stage Manager: Ryan Costello (C ’02)
MultiMedia Director: Marielle Mariano (C ’93)
String Arrangement: Violetta Zambetti

Featured Performances By (in order of appearance):
Rich Battista (B ’86), Bill Danoff, Greta Gaines, Marcel Arsenault, Stella Clingmon (F ’10), Michael Pearsall (B ’06), Evan Field (I ’98), Kirsten Thien, Richard Trent (F ’10), Lance Langston (F ’82), Chris Murphy (F ’07), Emilie Bogrand (C ’07), Johnny Zambetti (B ’09), Jess Bennett (C ’09), Kevin Benz (C ’09), John Zambetti Sr. (C ’70) & Walter Egan (C ’70)

House Band:

Bryn Bellomy (F ’09) – bass
Walter Egan – additional guitars
Evan Field – additional guitars
Gary Kearns – keyboards
Lance Langston – Keyboards
Joe Wenger (G ’04) – bass
John Zambetti – additional guitars
Johnny Zambetti – guitars
Teddy Zambetti - drums

Horn Section:

Marcel Arsenault – trumpet
Aaron Broadus (faculty) – trumpet
Marc Paga (C ’10) - trombone
David Hendrickson (B ’07) – sax
Chris Murphy – trumpet

String Quintet:

Avi Asher-Shapero (F ’10) - violin
Matthew Bunyi (F ’11) - cello
Doug Kovel (C ’12) – violin
David Manoff (B ’13) - viola
Anna Celenza (Chair, Dept. of Performing Arts) - cello

World Percussion Ensemble:

Andrew Kissel (C ’10) - percussion
Brad Pollina (C ’10) - percussion
Brandon Walsh (C ’11) - percussion

Over 100 Georgetown alumni and students gathered for a hilarious night of stand-up comedy at GEMA LAUGHS, from the legendary Improv Comedy Club. A variety of styles and humor were on display with such comics as Paul Mecurio (GU Law Alumnus), David Benedetto (F ’13), Jeff Maurer (C ’02), Ken Rynne (C ’78) and emcee George Peacock (C ’84)

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DIGITAL MEDIA REVOLUTION PANEL: A full house of Georgetown alumni and students were in attendance as a stellar panel discussed and debated the opportunities, challenges and trends arising from the increasingly digital media world in which we live. From books to television, from newspapers to social media and from music to mobility, no topic was left unaddressed in this lively, informative panel.

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Thank you to our terrific panelists for sharing their perspective and insights.

Brian Murray (C ’88), President & CEO, Harper Collins

Ann Sarnoff (B ’83), President, Dow Jones Ventures

Neil Ashe (B ’90), President, CBS Interactive

Michael Bracy (C ’90), Founder & Policy Director, Future of Music Coalition

Henry Ellenbogen, Portfolio Manager, U.S. Equity Division, T. Rowe Price

THE MAKING OF THE HBO FILM GREY GARDENS: Filmmaker Michael Sucsy (F ’95), the co-writer, director and producer of the 2009 Emmy-Award winning HBO film “Grey Gardens”, gave a fascinating, engaging talk at the New South GEMA Film Screening Room on the story behind the making of this highly-acclaimed film and screened memorable clips from the movie. Starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens” won six 2009 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Made For TV Movie. Bernie Cook, PhD, Associate Dean, (C ’90, G ’91) expertly moderated the session.

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SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM SMILE PINKI: Filmmaker Megan Mylan (F ’92), director and producer of “Smile Pinki,” screened her 2008 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Short Subject at the New South GEMA Film Screening Room, and followed it with an inspiring, informative talk discussing the origins of the film and her experience in the making of it. Again, Professor Bernie Cook, PhD, Associate Dean, (C ’90, G ’91) moderated the session.

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GEMA IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE

GEMA FEST “A-LIST” ALUMNI DONOR CIRCLE

Guy Adami (B ’86)

Scott (F ’86, L ’89) and Mariela (C ’88) Calleja Archer

Rich Battista (B ’86)

Robert Benia (F ’79)

Anna Celenza, Chair, GU Dept. of Performing Arts

Mary Beth Connell, M.D. (M ’89) and Marc Connell, M.D., (C '80, G '83, M '86, R '92)

Georgetown University Alumni Association

Catherine Hagney Brown (C ’84)

Philip Inglima (C ’84, L ’88) and Elizabeth Wieser (C ’86, L ’92)

James Johnson (F ’86)

Gary Kearns (F ’79)

Chris (B ’86) and Maureen (N ’86) Brown Kiernan

Michael (B ’86) and Marissa (C ’89, M ’93, R ’97) McDonnell

Al Periu (B ’01)

Ann Tierney Prochnow (C ’88)

Geof Rochester (B ’81)

Mary Machado Schammel (C ’80)

Mark Siskin (F ’71)

Robert (F ’86) and Kerry (C ’86) Clancy Zochowski

Thank you to the following alumni, faculty and alumni relations staff who volunteered their time and effort as members of the GEMA Fest Planning Committee:

Co-Chairs:
Rich Battista, (B ’86)
Gary Kearns (F ’79)
Teddy Zambetti (C ’80)

Committee:

Vikram Agrawal (F ’07)
Jody Arlington (C ’93), Director, GEMA DC
Greg Booth (B ’06)
Anna Celenza, Chair, GU Dept. of Performing Arts
Ryan Costello (C ’02)
Dot Johnson (C ’00)
Leslie Keating (C ’93)
Mitchell Peyser (MBA ’93)
Geof Rochester (B ’81), Co-Director, GEMA NY
Ami Vitori (B ’95)
Teresa Weber (F ’02)
Ramona Wright, GU Office of Advancement