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These residents have earned a national platform with their work and, in the process, have spread the word about Pittsburgh

Sunday, June 02, 2002

Melissa Martin and Adrienne Wehr
Writer/director and producer, "The Bread, My Sweet"

	Melissa Martin and Adrienne Wehr

Pittsburgh has been showcased on film in the past, but Martin and Wehr have captivated film-festival audiences and juries around the country with their cinematic love letter to the city (filmed almost entirely in the Strip District). They worked on a shoestring and did much of the heavy lifting themselves, from raising money to publicity. A romantic comedy starring Scott Baio and Kristin Minter, the movie drew sellout audiences in two separate engagements at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, which is bringing the movie back for a third run this month.

Vivica Genaux
Opera singer

Unlike Cinderella, one of her regular roles, Genaux's climb to the top has been deliberate. Instead of a fairy godmother, she has the wise Claudia Pinza, her voice teacher in Pittsburgh. Pinza not only helped Genaux master technique, she encouraged the mezzo-soprano to sing what she wants to instead of the usual arias. The strategy has paid off royally, as the Bellevue-based singer is the toast of critics everywhere. A perfect example of her mold-breaking is her CD, "Arias for Farinelli," released in April in Europe and in September here. The music is off the beaten track, it's sung with precision, and it's getting rave reviews. Genaux also had an acclaimed tour with the Akademie fur Alte Musik and Rene Jacobs and performed at the Metropolitan Opera.

Rick Sebak
WQED/PBS producer

With distinctive voice, warmth and documentary style, Sebak exports Pittsburgh with local specials that get national airing and national shows that always include a nod to his hometown. After "The Strip Show" was shown on nearly 200 PBS stations, Strip District merchants found they developed a farflung following for their foodstuffs. Sebak's local shows have accounted for the sale of almost 162,000 tapes -- many to out-of-towners. He's now juggling a national project called "Sandwiches That You Will Like" and the local "Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh." He also plans two more programs for PBS, on cemeteries plus unusual buildings and other roadside stuff. Both will include Pittsburgh stories.

Chatham Baroque
Early music ensemble: Julie Andrijeski and Emily Davidson (baroque violins), Patricia Halverson (viola da gamba) and Scott Pauley (theorbo, baroque guitar)

This group not only puts Pittsburgh on the map for a small but ultra-dedicated group of enthusiasts but also for music-lovers in general. Through its touring (15 dates this year) to its acclaimed CDs, Chatham Baroque has fans all over the world. "Reel of Tulloch," released last summer, solidified the group's reputation as masters of baroque dance music, which it showcased again in its season series in both Sewickley and Pittsburgh.