2700 Monroeville Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
Calvin is an accomplished musician, educator, and performer located in Pittsburgh, PA. His resume includes degrees from Grambling State University (BS in Music Education 1975), as well as the University of Pittsburgh (MA in Ethnomusicology 1980, as well as 60 other class credits in Ethnomusicology).Calvin is currently playing a CE Winds Pro Artist Series “Warring Angel” CLC Tenor Saxophone with;
• House of Soul - “Pittsburgh #1 R&B Band”
• Southern Comfort• It Takes Two
• Caribbean Vibes
• Cross Culture
Calvin’s career has included Pittsburgh Public School Instrumental Specialist, Band Director –Westinghouse High School, Founder and Director of the Pittsburgh Public School Honors Jazz Band, and Conductor of the Mellon Jazz Student Spectacular.
AWARDS
• Recipient of Institute of Black American Music Award (1972)
• Theory and Composition Award Grambling University (1974-75)
• Who’s Who Among College Students at Universities 1975
• WAMO Afro-American Award Show (Best R&B performer (1998)
• Service in Education Award (Our House Development Inc, 2008)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
• KAPPA KAPPA PSI Honorary Band Fraternity
• PHI MU ALPHA Professional Men’s Music Fraternity
• KAPPA DELTA PSI Honor Society in Education
Mixxtape was established in May of 2022. The music group is developing a signature sound that is multi-genre and generational performing music from the past to the present. collaborators Lailonny Yvonne, Calvin Stemley, Lorenzo Freeman, Tyler Humphries, and Terrance Levels bring creativity from musical time periods of the 60’s till now. Our audiences appreciate the diversity and message. It’s a unique and memorable repertoire with a great mixture that all ages can enjoy! The Band greets the listener with a diverse performance of Jazz, Gospel, R&B as well as current styles and genres of contemporary musical artistry both vocal and instrumental.MIXXTAPE Band’s vision is to create original music to further explore possibilities of unique musical experiences and expression.
Tyler is a Pittsburgh native performer, raised in a family of many talents especially singing and performing. She began singing at 6 when she realized her favorite movies and tv shows made her happy by participating in song. Years later she sang beside her mother in church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She then followed her passions into high school and beyond, attending Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA 9-12) as a musical theater major, completing an associate’s degree in 2015. She then completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual & Performing Arts/ Voice in 2020 from The University of Pittsburgh. She has been blessed with the opportunity to work with such creative and dedicated mentors and peers over the years. In her future she plans to pursue a career in teaching music and vocal performance. Her post-baccalaureate achievements include being a former member of The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, singing behind Andrea Bocelli at PPG Paints, a singer of the American National Anthem for Chelsa Wagner County Controller, and more. She’s also appeared as a lead actress in Alumni Theater Company performances of HAIR, RENT, and AIDA at The New Hazlett Theater on Pittsburgh’s Northside. Her repertoire consists of an array of genres including R&B, NeoSoul, and multicultural pieces that involve learning other languages like (German, French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, etc.), Classical, Opera, Jazz, and Musical Theater. Tyler is so grateful to be a member of Mixxtape for almost 1 year and for the opportunity to continue exposing her desire of expressing passion through music.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Lailonny started singing at the young age of 3. "Music is in my blood," she states, attributing her passion to her parent's talent and love for music. She cultivated her gift through classical training and years of singing in the church. Lailonny's academic career brought her to Pittsburgh in 2011, where she studied psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. After graduating in 2015, she discovered another passion, helping others. She became a nurse in 2018. "I don't think music and the medical world are very different," she states. "Music is healing." Lailonny uses music as her safe space, allowing her to be vulnerable and share her feelings and life experiences through songwriting. "My music is a movement. I want people to embrace their true selves, to be transparent, and to let go of the confines and restrictions the world can place on us. I want people to feel free to just BE." Lailonny currently sings around Pittsburgh and beyond with bands, Lailonny and The Crew, Mixxtape and Chuck and the Fellas.
LaRenzo “Larenz” Freeman was born and raised in homewood. He began playing music in 1st grade,at East Hills elementary, on the trombone. Throughout middle school at Frick Picked up drums and steel pan. In 10th grade LaRenzo switched to playing electric bass for The Pittsburgh Obama Marching Band. He had the honor of meeting an amazing Pittsburgh Bassist named Dwayne Dolphin at the August Wilson center. He’s played for groups such as Verna Crichlow’s Caribbean Vibes, Dejah Monae, and Lyndsey Smith to name a few. He currently plays with Mixxtape, Charelle Unique and Soul Drip, and occasionally fills in for Stemtec Band.