Boundaries were being broken with the release of edel Entertainment/UEG Records vocal group Dream Street. As seasoned veterans of stage, screen (big & small), and national TV commercials – all before they even reach high school – it is now time for these five boys to add the title of recording artists to that impressive list of achievements.
All from the New York area, these five boys came together a year ago with the help of producers Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow to try to achieve their dream of being pop superstars. Working with the songwriting and production team of Cosgrove/Clark (whose previous hits included Jennifer Paige’s Crush and Lava/Atlantic artist Angela Via’s new hit Picture Perfect), Dream Street has put together a smashing debut of pop-til-you-drop tunes. Also included in that is the group’s first single, It Happens Every Time, written and produced by Jorgen Eloffson, whose previous work includes the #1 smash hits Sometimes and Crazy by Britney Spears. Look for this self-titled album in stores this fall. When you see Dream Street live, you’ll quickly realize that their choreography is unlike any other pop group out there today. It’s a dynamic combination of Broadway and hip-hop dance, straight from the incredibly creative mind of Brazilian–born dance choreographer Claudia Swan. As the boys continue to rehearse amidst school and other activities, they look forward to what all kids look forward to each year – summer vacation! Of course, their “What I Did This Summer” essays should prove to be more interesting than any other kid in school.
Five incredibly talented boys. One very large dream.
Christopher Trousdale was born on June 11, 1985, in New Port Ritchey, Florida. He lived in Florida for the first six years of his life, until he moved to Michigan at age six. While living in Michigan, Chris was able to easily expand his career possibilities, starting with a dance and vocal studio called “Dance Korner.”
Throughout the next several years of his life, Chris was featured in various television commercials, including that of Blockbuster Video, as well as in the live productions of ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘The Sound Of Music,’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ While he was featured in those productions, he was also part of a group known as the Broadway Kids; modeled for Macy’s, Sterns, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gap; appeared on television shows ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Manifesto’; and sang with Ray Charles and Jewel.
“As you can see, I didn’t make my way up by knowing people, but by working real hard. As hard as it is, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
– Chris Trousdale, Dream Street Magazine
Born on January 24, 1985, Frankie is the oldest member of Dream Street. At a very young age, two to be exact, he seemed to show an interest in music. Performing a tune for his family, he and his father later recorded several songs for their memories. By the third grade, he performed the Star Spangled Banner at various school functions.
Frankie made his first Broadway debut with the play ‘An Inspector Calls.’ He later moved on to other shows including ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ which he acted with ex-EFX Master (MGM Grand, Las Vegas) Tommy Tune. During the course of the next several months, an opportunity for him to be featured on a television sitcom arose. After the show was canceled, Frankie auditioned for a part in the movie Jungle 2 Jungle, and got it.
Since that film, Frankie has been seen in the productions of ‘Oliver,’ ‘Miracles,’ ‘As the World Turns,’ and also as the singing voice of Christopher Robin in several Winnie The Pooh videos.
“Being in Dream Street is one of the best opportunities I have had during my career so far. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to work with such great people every day.”
– Frankie Galasso, Dream Street Magazine
At the age of two, Greg Raposo (born May 3, 1985) showed a great interest in music and playing the guitar. Eventually, Greg got a real guitar teacher who encouraged him to take voice lessons. Through hard work, he was able to win at his first performance for Parent Guide Magazine. Greg’s mom later entered him into Star Search, in which he placed second. After the Star Search performance, he was referred to an agent and he landed with SEM&M.
Through this agency, Greg was casted into numerous television commercials. Greg later even landed a spot as a performer at Graceland for the 20th Anniversary of Elvis’ death. This enabled much publicity for him, being featured in many newspapers and talk shows. Later, Greg joined the cast of The Broadway Kids, where he met fellow-band member Chris Trousdale.
At a Broadway Kids show, both he and Chris, along with three others, were casted into a new group called Boy Wonder. However, they faced rejection from many labels for being “too young.” Today, he, Chris, and three others (Matt, Jesse, and Frankie), constitute the new group Dream Street.
“As far as my work goes, Dream Street is my favorite. I really look forward to performing with the other guys.”
– Greg Raposo, Dream Street Magazine
Jesse McCartney, born April 09 in 1987, grew up in Westchester County with his entire family, who also performed. The McCartney family did several shows together for several months a year. According to Jesse in Dream Street Magazine, “working in community theatre opened [my] eyes to the joy of singing live and the discipline of acting.”
By age seven, Jesse was casted in various productions including ‘Oliver,’ ‘Annie Get Your Gun,’ and ‘The King and I.’ In the several years that followed, Jesse was touring nationally with the productions, while still maintaining his schooling at a public school.
Currently, in addition to being in Dream Street, Jesse has been holding the role of Adam Chandler, Jr., on ABC’s ‘All My Children’ since June of 1998. He has also been featured on a K-Mart commercial with Rosie O’Donnel, played a role in the productions of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ been a spokesperson on the ‘Kids For A Drug Free America’ 60-second national radio spot, and sung with the group ‘Sugarbeats.’
“Dream Street has been a dream come true. Making records and singing with my friends Greg, Frankie, Matt, and Chris is what I really enjoy doing.”
– Jesse McCartney, Dream Street Magazine
Matt Ballinger was born on April 22, 1985 in New York. Since his early years, music and sports have been a passion for him. In Dream Street Magazine, Matt says that he had never really thought about singing and acting until his friends wanted him to go along with them to a play audition in Yorktown. Several months after that unsuccessful audition, Matt was called back by the director offering him a part. Thus, this was the start of his acting and singing career.
Several highlights in Matt’s career include performing in shows and productions such as ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘Inherit The Wind,’ and ‘The King And I.’ After several months, Matt went off to play the character of Kurt von Trapp in the original cast of a Broadway rendition of ‘The Sound of Music.’ Through this show, Matt and the rest of the Broadway cast made numerous publicity appearances.
During a year-long hiatus from his performing, Matt spent time playing numerous sports including Lacrosse and Baseball. After the break, he began to record a number of songs for a CD titled ‘Listen To The People,’ and heard of a new group called Dream Street, in which he joined.
“I guess you could now say I’m ‘hooked on’ sports and Dream Street.”
– Matt Ballinger, Dream Street Magazine
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