DAWN ELEKTRA | LEAD VOCALS
Dawn Elektra has been named “one of the most outstanding voices to come out of the UK”. Known as a “powerhouse” vocalist, Dawn has a unique ability to draw you into a place that will inspire, empower and entertain.
An artist in her own right, Dawn Elektra has toured in the UK, Canada and Europe. Amongst many memorable gigs, Dawn was honoured to perform alongside Amy MacDonald at the Scottish Variety Awards, representing young Scottish talent.
If Dawn is not on the road, you can find her in the studio writing and recording for herself and other artists. With influencers such as Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Tina Turner, her dream of becoming one of “the great” performers was birthed at an early age.
With a vast experience of entertaining many different audiences, her true love of music and her infectious personality always shine through. Dawn Elektra is the heart and soul of iPARTY.
SAM HOCKING | MUSICAL DIRECTOR | DRUMS
As the band leader of iParty, Sam keeps the groups timing tight in more ways than one…
From a very early age, Sam’s musical dream became a lifestyle. A multi – talented producer and musician, playing the piano/keyboards, drums and bass, he has toured extensively throughout the UK, USA and Europe with many bands and artists.
Sam is becoming one of the hottest, in-demand drummers for many current artists. He is wanted for his unbelievable ‘feel’ on the drums, his excellent approach to everything he does, and his fun loving attitude to music and life.
With a wealth of experience he has also traveled as a sound engineer for many national productions, events and live recordings. At the young age of 17 he was the FOH engineer for a touring musical, playing in theatres and arenas across the UK. Also a phenomenal mixing engineer, Sam is currently writing and producing for various artists and projects. If you don’t see him behind a desk making everything sound incredible, you will find him on stage, ‘in the pocket’ of every song, holding the band together like glue.
MARK WALKER | MD | KEYBOARDS | DRUMS
In 1994 Mark was called into London to work with various artists and tours. It started with Eternal in Europe for 6 weeks in 1995 who were the supporting act for Take That. Since then his career has continued to blossom, taking him to the biggest stages and venues and giving him the opportunity to work with world class artists including:
Simply Red, Anita Baker, Gloria Gaynor, Alexander O’Neal, Matt Goss, Westlife (4 years), Blue, 5ive (2 years), All Saints (2 years), E17, Shola Ama, Will Young, Gabrielle, Ruby Turner, Jocelyn Brown, Aswad, ABC, the debut tour with German pop idols No Angels and also a few Japanese artists too.
Currently Mark has just finished touring with Alexander O’Neal and Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) and is producing music and still working with various artists on a regular basis.
ROBERTO ‘ROBOT’ RUIZ | BASS GUITARS
Originally from New York, Roberto Ruiz is a session bass player that has moved to the UK.
His introduction to the music scene in England was due to several tours with Jake Stigers and The Velvet Roots from 2006-2008.
Known for his ridiculous bass skills, he has gained the nickname ‘the robot’ amongst iParty members, referencing to his approach as a bass machine.
From small jazz combos to reading for musicals, to original singer/songwriter gigs, Roberto is in high demand. He enjoys playing upright and electric bass and makes everything he plays sound uniquely like himself.
ADAM ATKINS | GUITARS | DRUMS
Adam is proficient at both guitar and drums, he has both degree and masters qualifications from the University of Salford in music performance.
Having played in bands for over 10 years throughout the UK, Europe and on live TV, Adam is confident in all styles of music and helps bring any stage to life with his energetic performances.
Adam has an undeniable stage presence, that captivates the whole room. He effortlessly plays the guitar solos that everyone knows, all whilst adding his own current and unique edge.
In high demand by current pop artists, he is a guitar hero in his own right already.
You will find him front and centre at an iPARTY gig, rocking out like only he can do.
YVONNE SHELTON | VOCALS
For Yvonne Shelton there have been many singles, albums, and tours, in various capacities. As A Lead And Backing Vocalist Has sang with the likes of Gloria Estefan, Oleta Adams (Rhythm of Life re-mix), Sandra Crouch, The Beautiful South (tour, singles and album), Simply Red (tour), Gabriel (Wicked Women TV performance in Hyde Park), Cleopatra (singles and album), Loveland (singles and album), Living Joy, Joe Robert’s, Melanie William’s, Distant Cousins, Inner City, TIEMPO, George Michael (TV performances), Evolution (tours and chart singles, supporting M People), Secret Society with Lemn Sissay Take That and Heather Small. Praised Performances in front of Oprah Winfrey Show, delivering private performances for Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou. She has toured all over the world a singer; most countries in Europe, North and South America, Canada, Africa, Asia (including China, India, Thailand and Dubai), Austrlalia and New Zealand . With choirs such as Urban Voice, Merrybell gospel choir, London Community Gospel Choir, the Urban Kane Chorale, has performed with the likes of Foreigner (I Wanna Know What Love Is), Patti Labelle, Faith Evans, Puff Daddy (MTV awards new gospel single Best Friend), The Spice Girls (1999 Xmas tour), Various TV programmes. She has worked extensively in the music industry for over 20 years and has been in love with music all her life.
BEN LALGEE | DRUMS | PERCUSSION
Benjamin is a multi-instrumentalist based in the North West that specializes in drums and percussion. He has 9 years of experience as a working professional playing in big musicals such as RENT, Chicago and many more.
He currently owns and runs a recording studio in Blackpool as well as teaching performance at Blackpool & The Fylde College.
His larger than life personality makes Ben a key member of iPARTY. His love for music and raw talent comes across through everything he does on stage, and never fails to entertain anyone who is listening.
When Ben locks down with the drums, whilst adding his own special flare, it makes the rhythm section of iPARTY a huge, unmistakable feature.
DOUG WALKER | VOCALS
Doug had a UK Top 40 hit with his self-produced single The Mystery after recording his debut album with Warner Bros Records and enjoyed extensive airplay on Radio 1 and Radio 2.
His gigs have been as varied as supporting Sex Pistols on the banks of Loch Lomond, spending a week opening for Craig David at Ronnie Scott’s club in London to performing his music with a 90 peice orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.
He’s played live sessions on Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music and had his music played in all sorts tv shows from Oprah, to Jersey Shore and has even had a song blaring out of the speakers in the Queen Vic on Eastenders.
RACHEL ATKINS | KEYBOARDS | VOCALS
Rachel Atkins has a vast amount of experience singing and playing piano/keyboards to audiences and venues that range from the smaller Manchester club venues all the way through to world tours in arenas.
Rachel has a phenomenal ability to replicate the iconic keyboard sounds that we all know and love from classic hit records to the finest detail and loves to play music that will get the audience dancing.
She brings glamour and class to a band full of boys and is a highly respected musician in her own right.
Her incredible vocal ability makes her a triple threat on stage. She can easily slip into the role of backing vocals, whilst just as easily step out from behind the keys to lead the songs that fill the floor. Girl power or what?!
MAC DOUGLAS | GUITARS
Mac Douglas is a 23 year old guitarist from Wimbledon, London. He first picked up a guitar from age 8.
Mac has already played for a range of successful artists including Gabrielle, Devlin and Eric Roberson from America.
Mac plays many different styles and will bring excitement and enthusiasm to any performance!
If you have the privilege of hearing Mac’s unbelievable talent live, you will never forget it.
Mac is in high demand.