Between producing their own CDs and partnering with some of the top names in today's music, CCM grads are octaves above the rest. Here's an update:

Aaron Lazar will spend this fall rubbing elbows with Barry Manilow. Lazar, MFA (CCM) '00, is cast in a group, Comedian Harmonists, in Manilow's developing musical, "Harmony." Lazar and the group will be special guests at Manilow's East Coast concerts in September and October.

Tom Korbee's 2004 self-titled CD includes vocal support from his fiance Jennifer Peterson-Hind and CCM '04 alum Eric Solomon on drums. A CCM '02 grad, Korbee appeared in the Off-Broadway hit, "Showtune," and has moved to Los Angeles to work on his music career.

Shoshana Bean, CCM '99, has let down her hair. Bean sings the Sheila Franklin songs, "I believe in Love" and "Chant" for the Actors' Fund Benefit concert recording of "Hair." Sh-K-Boom Records released the CD in spring 2005.

Brian Wenke finished his first solo CD, "Nova Jones: The Doodlebug Sessions." Wenke, CCM '95, splits his time between working in development for the Cincinnati Zoo and appearing at live venues in Los Angeles.

C. Ashleigh Caldwell, CCM '96, already has one CD on the market; now she celebrates the release of her second, titled "None More Red." Caldwell won Female Entertainer of the Year at the 2004 American DJ awards and has had positive reviews in All Access Magazine, Rock City News and Talent Magazine.