JESSIE APPLE – Vocals, Guitar
Jessie is a South Florida native who moved to NJ to pursue her love of Musical Theatre. She started singing with her mom as a small child and began her formal singing and acting training at the age of 8, so she knows the importance of starting music at a young age. After receiving her professional training with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she has worked professionally in regional theatre throughout the country.
Jessie has extensive experience in children’s theatre and performed in the successful show, “Miss Nelson is Missing”, at Actors Playhouse, which was the 2004 National Children’s Theatre Festival winner. She also sang 60’s inspired rock and pop in the show “Cafe-Au-Go-Go” in Greenwich Village, which has come in handy in the band. Most recently, Jessie was a principal role in the New York City Off-Broadway show, “Tony and Tina’s Wedding“.
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CHRIS APPLE – Bass, Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Keys
Chris is a New Jersey native and has spent over 20 years involved in music and the arts. He got his start in high school as a member of the house band on Nickelodeon’s popular variety show “Don’t Just Sit There”. Chris has worked in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes writing, composing, recording and producing for several TV shows and independent films.
He spent several years touring with bands as a bass player and spent 9 years as a member of New Jersey based Latin-Rock band deSoL, and co-wrote their top ten singles, “Karma” and “Sing It All Night“. Finally, he discovered the great joy in sharing music with young people and has been teaching early childhood music for over 10 years. He has done countless classes with children and their caregivers, as well as preschool music development classes and private instrument instruction. He also acted as Music Director for more than a dozen shows at the School of Rock, before leaving to pursue The Little Rockers Band full time.
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DEIRDRE FORREST – Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele
Deirdre Forrest has been working with children for over 12 years, as a pre-k teacher, babysitter, nanny, and has been a teaching artist with Little Rockers for over 4 years!! She has taught and cared for every age group, from infants up to teens, and truly enjoys watching them grow and learn, while having fun!
Deirdre began singing when she was very young, in choirs, an acapella group, and in many musical theater productions. She studied Theater and Studio Art at Stockton University. She is an award-winning singer-songwriter and recording artist. In 2012 she was awarded Top Female Songwriter at the Jersey Acoustic Music Awards. She has been nominated for several awards for Female Vocalist in various award ceremonies. She has played at venues throughout NJ, PA & NY, including: The Stone Pony, The Bitter End, The Saint & the Legendary Dobbs.. Deirdre has worked with artists of varying genres, lending her voice to several bands and recording projects. She is currently working on a Soul/Rock inspired solo project with acclaimed, Grammy Nominated producer Steve Greenwell that has worked with Joss Stone, Run DMC, Jeff Beck and LL Cool J, to name a few. Deirdre can be found playing at local venues with her Folk Rock band Deirdre Forrest & The Back Seams.
Deirdre loves that Little Rockers combines her two passions, teaching and music. She is continually inspired by the joy of the cutest rockers around, every single day.