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Biographical Information Rosamund Stone Zander Executive coach and family therapist, Rosamund Zander develops models for leadership, relationship, and effective action. She leads an Accomplishment Program and runs workshops for individuals and organizations to formulate vision and direction. She has developed a presentation on leadership and creativity, in collaboration with Benjamin Zander, that has been delivered to major corporations around the world. For over two decades, Mrs. Zander has offered her services to The Family Center, a community-focused organization in the Boston area that strengthens families to cope with challenges such as drug abuse, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, school problems, and work-related difficulties. As the author of the best selling book The Art of Possibility, a synthesis of her work on relationship and the leadership practicies of a symphony conductor, Ms Zander proposes a theory of human development that promotes creativity as an essential adult capacity. The Art of Possibility, published initially by Harvard Business School Press and in 2002, in paperback by Penguin Books has been translated into sixteen languages. Ms. Zander has delivered programs for corporations, universities, and government and social agencies around the world that shift "downward spiral thinking" into a mindset of possibility. Her universally applicable principles have been circulated widely by the media in the U.S, and abroad, and she has been featured on such programs as CBS' 60 Minutes, the Diane Reims show, and in Parade Magazine. Benjamin Zander Benjamin Zander is known throughout the world as a conductor of great passion and originality. He has been the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic since its formation in 1978 and has taught at the New England Conservatory for four decades. He is the Artistic Director of the music program at Walnut Hill School, a high school for the Performing Arts and is conductor of the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, widely regarded as one of the finest youth orchestras in the world . He has performed extensively as a guest conductor, and his recordings on Telarc with London's famed Philharmonia Orchestra are best-sellers that have garnered extraordinary critical acclaim, and several international awards. Bringing the insights of a conductor to leaders involved in transformation and change, Benjamin Zander has become one of the most sought after speakers in the world today. He has spoken to many of the Fortune 500 companies, and shared his vision with countless other members of the global community, including educational institutions, political symposia, and humanitarian enterprises. Mr. Zander has been frequently profiled in the media. He was the subject of a full-length BBC documentary that has aired worldwide and was featured on CBS' 60 Minutes. At the 1999 World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Zander was presented with the Crystal Award, which honors artists who, in addition to having won international recognition through their artistic achievements, have also made an outstanding contribution to cross-cultural understanding. Foreground Folks
The company produces and distributes learning programs, documentaries, books, feature films and live learning experiences in more than 82 countries. Katalina was raised in Chicago and studied finance and economics at Northwestern University before becoming a commodities trader at the Chicago Board of Trade. After a few years on the trading floor, Katalina visited a film set to work for a day. She was awed by the communicative power of filmmaking, and before the week was over, she abruptly decided to leave her trading career to make films-something she knew nothing about. The energy and power of collaboration she discovered on the set was unlike anything she had experienced before. Production men and women of all personalities and talents worked passionately together to create a good shot. Cheering each other on was constant. Everyone helped everyone, and nothing worked unless it all worked together. The process was difficult yet that much more rewarding for it. A new path was chosen. Katalina began her filmmaking and production career working on independent feature films and documentaries, and soon after was hired by New World Entertainment to help launch their educational division, New World Knowledge, where she co-wrote and produced award-winning films. In 2000, she launched a new educational series, Katalina Groh Presents, Real People, Real Stories™, specifically designed to focus on the power and practice of storytelling and its potential to teach, transform, and inspire. In 2005, Katalina launched Groh Records, and Groh Publishing to bring the storytelling experience of music and songwriters to a growing global audience, believing nothing can inspire more than great music that tells a story.
Stefani has been with Groh for more than four years working on production projects. Her amazing customer service talents are legendary among Groh Production's distributors. When she is not at Groh, Stefani can be found traveling the world, making her own digital documentary films, or studying Italian. Her bio continues under “Groh Productions Production People.“ Production Coordinator. Stefani makes a dual appearance at Groh. Although an amazing customer service specialist, her passion is writing, and digital cinema. Stefani has been a production coordinator with Groh for more than four years. She shoots music rehearsals, and more recently live learning seminars and interviews. Stefani will be editing the first Groh internet customer storytelling experience for the website. She is funny, disciplined, wiser than everyone else yet still finds time to bake brownies for the studio once in a while.
Jocelyn was spotted elsewhere demonstrating unique customer service and was invited by Groh to help connect its rapidly growing global customer community. Always up, always smiling, always a great listener, and someone who can remember the smallest details, Jocelyn's smile can be heard on the phone from the other side of the world. Although Matt is a world-renown jazz musician he also participates at Groh with his passion and talent for IT systems design. Matt has yet another creative role-as lead musician in Groh's feature film, A Reason to Dance. When he is not playing in jazz clubs or with some of Chicago's most famous big bands, Matt can be found teaching as the resident artist at the Ravinia Festival of Music, or traveling as lead vocalist with actor Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band, doing USO shows all over the world. Matt shares Groh's passion for storytelling and hope globally; since 1998, Matt and his twin brother Ben have been The Kennedy Center's United States Jazz Ambassadors. They have traveled to India, Sri Lanka, West Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and other countries bringing music to the world in an attempt to create cultural understanding with music as the common language. Randall has worked with Katalina Groh as a producer and key member of Groh's advisory board for more than ten years. Randall has extensive film and television production experience beginning with his work as a Television Photojournalist for two network affiliates and ultimately for CBS Television in Chicago. During his tenure at CBS, Randall was Vice-President of the Chicago Association of Black Journalists and received frequent professional recognition for his work, including three Emmy Awards and eight Emmy nominations. One of his most profound experiences as a television photojournalist was covering the release of Nelson Mandela from his South African Prison. Shortly after covering the release of Mr. Mandela and after spending some time with him, Randall discovered that he had a different perspective of his talents. Randall inspires us all with his dedication and clarity to following the “inner voice.” Just when his production and television acclaim were peaking he abruptly quit his career to become a minister and to help his community. Randall halted his film and television career to return to school and study Divinity and Community Development at the University of Chicago. More recently Randall attended the Leadership Institute at The Divinity School at Harvard University in Cambridge. Over the past fifteen years, Randall has been actively involved in Chicago's urban renewal. In addition to his work with Groh Productions, Randall is the Director of Ministries at St. Sabina Church in Chicago. When he is not working in ministry, or in production, Randall is a writer, husband and father of two beautiful children.
Catalina is studying creative writing, dance and violin. A traveler and painter, when she is not at Groh or school Catalina is planning her next trip to another continent.
Other Notables We'd Like to Notice Spike Simms. Sound engineer. Musicians
Olga Polonsky and Anna Polonsky. Violin player Olga Polonsky, was first seen by our audiences performing in a master class for Ben Zander in the Possibility Series. Although her playing and technique were brilliant, it was Olga's presence that overwhelmed everyone at Groh. Audiences who did not even like classical music could not take their eyes off of her beautiful face nor miss the feelings she expressed when she played. Olga connects with the music and everything else just follows. Olga was invited to play the theme music on camera for the filming of a scene about the celebration of music for the feature film, A Reason to Dance. Not only did Olga agree, but she practiced for three hours every day for six months to play for the film. Olga's twin sister, world-renown piano soloist Anna Polonsky accompanied her sister for the filming and added some surprise performances of her own. Because the feature film is about never giving up, even if you have to leave everything you have behind to start a new life, Olga and Anna Polonsky were a perfect match for the feature's soundtrack of musicians. As thirteen-year old girls, Olga and Anna had to defect with their parents from their home of Moscow. They have been in the US studying at The Longy School and at Julliard respectively. Olga can now be heard at The Boston Philharmonic while Anna performs as a concert soloist throughout the world.
St. Sabina Levites. The full gospel choir of St. Sabina church in Chicago will also perform for the soundtrack a fuller, different arrangement of two country songs written by Dan Eli for the feature film. The choir, led by music director Michael Drayton is unbelievably beautiful and subtle.
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