ATExpress Singers to Take the Stage at the Fireman's Carnival

Featured as part of the Suffield Fireman's Carnival, the ATExpress singing group is the youngest act in the Around Town Singers entertainment organization. Set to sing on their float during Saturday's parade as well as on the stage, the girls of ATExpress are ready to bring their “Salute to America and its Music” performance to a wide audience.

This year, the Around Town Singers are providing free music and performances as part of their new music stage at the carnival. Several acts will perform free of charge to the public on the professionally equipped stage with lighting and sound. The effort is part of the Around Town Singers' mission to support local organizations with good music.

Several acts are slated to perform on the music stage including Haley Bishop, a Suffield native, Dakota Doney, Ron Augeri and a special appearance by Bryson Dulack of Texas. Suffield musicians Ray Tanguay, John Secora and Dan Kehoe will be performing Dixieland and other styles of music on Friday night.

Saturday's bill features jazz band The Human Race, led by Suffield's Dane Scozzari. The aforementioned ATExpress will also perform, led by their director Krysta Voskowsky.

The ATExpress is the newest singing group of the Around Town Singers. The band of girls includes Isabella Pinto, Bella Hastings and Roci Ackerman. The talented trio came together nearly two years ago and have gained enormous experience singing and dancing with the troupe. The Saturday performances will include military medleys and jungle-themed songs.

Bella, an 11-year old-singer, boasts an impressive resume for one so young. She began her career at the Springfield Community School and with the Young Singers of Westfield.

"She likes to perform," said Nancy Hastings, Bella's mother.

It was at a performance at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield that Bella Hasting's talent was noticed and her career blossomed. After the Majestic show, she was approached by the Rays of Hope Walk for Cancer and tapped to perform at Forest Park for the charity.

"She was eight years old at the time," her mother said. "And I panicked! So we found her a private vocal instructor."

The highlight of Bella's career came with the opportunity to perform at Mohegan Sun with music legend Kenny Rogers. Bella performed with four other back-up chorus singers for the country music superstar as part of his east coast Christmas tour.

In addition to singing and dancing, Bella has acting and modeling experience. She recently appeared in a commercial for My Little Pony toys, and is slated to appear as a extra in the Mark Wahlberg movie Ted.

"Bella loves pop and jazzy music," her mother said, noting that two of her favorite artists are Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift. "Anything that is upbeat with a little soul makes her sing."

Bella is especially excited to be performing a solo of a pop standard most recently popularized by Cher, "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)," as part of Saturday's show.