Bruce Sampson—President & Managing Director

Bruce has been involved in entertainment most of his life. At age 15, he was accepted to The American Musical Theater program and The Young Americans. At 17, he signed a recording contract with Rosemont Records in New Orleans and embarked on a summer concert tour, opening for such acts as Maynard Ferguson and Kool and The Gang. He went on to perform and direct with The Young Americans in Southern CA and Atlanta, GA for several years before breaking out and starting his own entertainment company which produced shows at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and concert halls all over the West Coast.  For 5 years, Bruce co-wrote and produced over 20 original shows for Tibbies Music Hall, an award-winning dinner theater in Newport Beach.

Sampson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Print Journalism and English from Southern University at New Orleans as well as FCC Broadcasters license.  For 6 years, Bruce served as editorial coordinator for Yahoo! In Pasadena, CA.  For 4 years, he directed the arts component of several summer youth camps in Louisiana for D.A.R.E. 

Sampson has also been an advisor for arts organizations (developing arts education curriculum), served as choreographer for several Southern California show choirs and is an associate director with The Young Americans.

Vincent L. Hicks, Jr.— Choreographer & Asst. Director

Vincent grew up in the heart of Motown, surrounded by and astonished by all styles of music; from country, Motown, Broadway to pop.  He began performing in high school both on stage and behind the scenes as an instrumentalist.

For the last five years, Vincent has dedicated his life to travelling the world and teaching students song and dance in over a dozen countries, as well as all over the United States.

Currently he serves as the Office Manager and Production Coordinator for the international performing group, The Young Americans.  Vincent is delighted to be a part of WBZB Entertainment, Spotlight Music Hall and THE MIX!

 

Jamal Nasserdeen — Special Events Director

Jamal has directed many of the annual shows for internationally-acclaimed performance group, The Young Americans.  He has also stage-managed hundreds of shows in Germany, England, Ireland, and Japan.  Jamal is a Project Engineer for Paramount Pictures.

Jamal coordinates, manages and directs logistics and staffing for WBZB Entertainment’s special events, including Inland Idol and O.C. Idol competitions and concert events.

Camille Mayers, PhD. — Board of Directors

Dr. Mayers is known locally and internationally for her expertise in the design and implementation of university/school partnership service learning models for challenged populations. She was recently honored to be invited to serve as a United States delegate to the Oxford Round Table in England where she was asked to speak on Education as a Fundamental Human Right and The No Child Left Behind act.

Her work is highlighted in the Citadel’s Journal of Education, which I the oldest educational journal in the nation.  Dr. Mayers has also been invited by the Federal Department of Education to present at three national conferences in Washington D.C.

Dr. Mayers serves on the faculty of California State University, san Bernardino in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling where she is the Coordinator of Field Experience and Coordinator Service learning as well as the director for GEAR UP Inland Empire Extension Grant.

Behind WBZB Entertainment

Our Dynamic Team

The people behind WBZB are talented, consummate professionals with decades of experience.  Our directors and creative staff have had impressive careers as professional entertainers which then translated into successful track records as writers, producers, educators and executives.

Our board and administrators consist of decorated scholars and dedicated professionals from corporate America who have all made a commitment to the arts, youth and our communities.

Rick Henninger—Vice President & Business Unit Manager

Mr. Henninger has seven years of experience in live stage theater and the performing arts. He worked for two years in prop and set design and construction and two years as the marketing director for Christian Arts and Theatre in Corona, CA. 

He is the co-founder of Corona Civic light Opera Association where he has been the construction manager and director of set design.  Rick has a BSBA Degree in Marketing from The University of Redlands and a 30-year business management history as president, general manager and executive marketing leadership for major corporations in Southern CA.

He brings extensive performing arts and business executive managerial experience as the Director of Marketing for WBZB Entertainment.

 

Dan Calvillo —Vice President & Technical Director

Dan has served as Vice President and former treasurer and auditor of the Rowland Organization of Choirs as well as Stage and Sound Technician for the John A. Rowland High School Show Choirs.

Currently, Mr. Calvillo is the Operations Manager/Network Administrator for an electrical wholesale distributor in Orange County California, where he manages over 40 employees and oversees operations at 3 locations.

Dan has spent the last 10 years volunteering and fundraising for various athletic & performing arts groups in the Rowland Unified School District.  He has served on the boards of school organizations and has been instrumental in getting those organizations out of the red.

Dan is responsible for  all technical operations and continues to be a driving force behind THE MIX and our Arts Reach efforts.

 

Steve Collins —Marketing Director

Steve began his career in banking and finance with Glendale

Federal Bank in 1993 as a loan officer. Since then, his responsibilities in marketing, finance and information technology has increased at a rapid rate. He is currently an Assistant Vice President with Bank of The West.

 

During his career, Steve has supported Multi-Million dollar budget programs and projects, which include:

· Regional Branch marketing programs

· Vendor Management

· Large scale ATM Installations

· ATM Database development and support

· Financial Analysis and Reporting

 

Steve’s many accomplishments and talents include:

· Award Winning Department Manager responsible for operational performance

· Web design

· Graphic Design

· Video Development and management

· Invoice Processing and Reporting

 

Expert in Database Development, Ad Hoc Analysis, financial

models, performance projections, and other Custom Report

development.

 

Education – Bachelors Degree in Information Technology at the

University of Phoenix

WBZB ENTERTAINMENT, INC. 2008  - EIN#26-2050445  - 501c3 Application is in progress