Meet the USO Liberty Bells

Natalie Loftin Bell

NATALIE LOFTIN BELL hails from Plano, Texas. She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Theatre who's off-Broadway and Regional Credits include Tick…Tick…Boom!, A Wonderful Life, Showboat and High School Musical. In addition to being signed previously with Epic/Sony Records, Natalie has toured the US performing solo at such venues as Madison Square Garden, Anaheim Pond and The Oklahoma Ford Center. Her single Burn was released to national radio and for purchase in 2005. Her film career includes, Andrea in The Cineplex, Lori in Mimesis and Sarah in Soul's Midnight. Natalie has additional experience entertaining our military with other touring groups. A third year veteran to the USO Liberty Bells, she is thrilled to be able to continue this incredible mission of supporting the troops and their families.

Cassie Chesnutt

CASSIE CHESNUTT is originally from Kansas City, Missouri and received her BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Oklahoma. She recently had a wonderful experience working in Japan for nine months as a singer for Tokyo Disney. Cassie is a member of the Actors Equity Association and some of her favorite roles include Judy in A Chorus Line, Anne in La Cage Aux Follies, April in Company, Ruth in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Phyllis in 42nd Street. Cassie is honored to be a part of the USO Liberty Bells and is looking forward to this year's journey. She extends her love to the fellow Bells, her family, and to all the men and women who have bravely served our country.

Heidi-Marie Ferren

HEIDI-MARIE FERREN hails from California, Arkansas, and Texas. She is a country and gospel recording artist who has performed with the likes of Patti LaBelle, Lee Greenwood, and Tony Orlando. Her professional credits include Disneyland, entertaining at President Clinton's Inauguration, and the Nashville Palace. On top of Heidi's Musical Credits, she is an accomplished actress on both stage and screen with numerous credits at some of the country's finest theaters. She was most recently seen playing Wonder Woman on HBO's hit T.V. show, "Bored to Death" with Ted Danson, Jason Schwartzman, and Zach Galifianakis. Heidi proudly served as Miss USO of Metropolitan New York in 2009 and 2010. Heidi's family has served in every major war since the American Revolution, and she honors their legacy by committing to the mission of the USO. She is honored to spend her life in service of those who serve.

Renee Veronica Freeman

RENÉE VERONICA FREEMAN was born in Liberia, West Africa, raised in America, and graduated from Jacksonville University with a BFA in Music Theatre. Renée has performed regionally in High School Musical and in Die Fledermaus with the Jacksonville Lyric Opera. New York Theatre: Alisa in Sister's Keeper at Shetler Studios 54, Lippi: The Musical at The York Theatre, A Benefit Honoring Patti Lupone with the New York Drama League, and a guest starring role as Casey Franks on Law & Order: SVU. Other credits include Sarah in Ragtime, Timoune in Once on This Island, Ronnie in Hair, and The Black Soothsayer in Julius X; NPR host Al Letson's original adaptation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Renée would like to send her love to her cousin Private Second Class Cole, Whiebaii O, stationed in Ramadi, Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division, to her favorite "Mr. Liberty Bell" Dad Eric, Mom Grace, and thanks to family, friends, and boyfriend for all of their love and support throughout the years. God Bless America!

Siri Howard

SIRI HOWARD is a true "crossover" performer, making her mark in theatre, operas and concerts. Broadway: Liesl in The Sound of Music. National Tour: The Sound of Music with Richard Chamberlain; Parade with composer/musical director Jason Robert Brown, director Hal Prince. Additional theatre: Les Misérables, The Fantasticks. Concert: Fredrika in A Little Night Music starring Mark Kudisch, musical director Paul Gemignani and The Philadelphia Orchestra. Siri has also been the featured soloist in numerous classical, jazz, and contemporary music concerts all across the country. Opera: Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Carol Cutrere in the NY premiere of Orpheus Descending, and Musetta in La Bohème, to name a few. Siri also sings with her sisters in their trio The Howard Sisters. Siri holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Maryland and a Master's Degree in Music from Queens College.

Joanna Howard

JOANNA HOWARD, a native of Long Island and a graduate of the University of Maryland's Theatre Performance program, has been performing with her two talented sisters (including fellow USO Liberty Bell, Siri) since she was five years old. Their cabaret act, The Howard Sisters can regularly be seen throughout the Hamptons and heard on their numerous albums. A seasoned performer, Joanna's professional career began at age eight, touring worldwide with Les Miserables. Since then she has performed at Madison Square Garden in A Christmas Carol (starring Ben Vereen); opposite Olympia Dukakis in The Tempest; and in special appearances on TV shows including As The World Turns and The View. She continues to perform professionally in prestigious Manhattan theatre productions. Joanna is especially proud to sing with an organization that entertained her late father during his service in WWII.

Larissa Klinger

LARISSA KLINGER was an Army brat until her Dad retired and settled in the Kansas City area. She moved to New York City to pursue musical theatre and has enjoyed the opportunity to perform all over the United States in such productions as Mack and Mabel (Mabel), Miracle on 34th St (Doris Walker), 42nd St (Anytime Annie), Backwards in High Heels (Woman #3/Ethel Merman), Cabaret (Helga), Sisters of Swing (LaVerne), and The Buddy Holly Story (Vi Petty). Being a second year veteran to the USO Liberty Bells has given Larissa the opportunity to be a part of the military community that is so dear to her. Larissa is honored to utilize her gifts and passions to give back in a small way.

Melanie Lemieux

MELANIE LEMIEUX is originally from Montreal, Canada. As an Opera Performance graduate, she has many credits under her belt including roles such as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Amelia in Amelia al ballo, Metella in La Vie Parisienne and Johanna Barker in Sweeney Todd. She has performed in more than 50 live stage productions as well as numerous cabaret events, in Toronto, Montreal and New York. Melanie is thrilled to continue doing what she loves with such talented performers and immensely honored to serve as an ambassador for the USO. She looks forward to an amazing second year of providing entertainment to service members and their families.

Kirbi Jo Long

KIRBI JO LONG, an Omaha, Nebraska native, first performed with the University of Nebraska's show ensemble "Scarlet and Cream Singers" for four years until graduating in 2006 with a BSBA with a vocal performance minor. Kirbi sang the lead female roles in Carnival Cruise Lines Productions' Century Café, Wonderful World, and Legends from 2006-2007, and moved to Norwegian Cruise Lines with Jean Ann Ryan Productions from 2008-2010 as the lead female vocalist in Sea Legs: A Showgirl Revue, South Beach Rave, and Garden of a Geisha. Kirbi most recently performed in Charleston, SC in Brad and Jennifer Moranz Present Broadway Showstoppers and Let the Good Times Roll, and is currently working with Pullen Productions in Thank You for the Music aboard numerous cruise lines. She is thrilled and honored to give back to those who serve our country and sends her love and thanks to her family and friends.

Kaitlin Monte

KAITLIN MONTE is a native of Rochester, NY, and a graduate of the University of Tampa with a degree in Performing Arts. She has appeared on the New York and regional stages in The Seagull, The Hole (Original Off-Broadway cast), Rent, Smokey Joe's Café, and High School Musical 2. She spent two years performing at Busch Gardens Tampa, where she helped originate the role of Jane in Critter Castaways. She tours with the nation's top murder mystery team, The Killing Company, and previously toured as a singer with Nik Entertainment. Kaitlin made her broadcast debut co-hosting the international webcast of the 2010 New Year's Eve in Times Square. She is also a former Miss Tampa and placed first runner up at Miss Florida 2009. Kaitlin is thrilled to be part of the USO and its tradition of bringing joy and support to our nation's military!

Manna Nichols

MANNA NICHOLS is so excited to be making her USO Liberty Bell debut. Originally from Oklahoma, she attended Western Michigan University and received a Bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education, with a Choral Conducting Emphasis. Manna also performed with the Gold Company vocal jazz ensemble while pursuing her choral conducting degree. She later returned to her home state and earned a Masters degree in Music Theater from Oklahoma City University. Her favorite theater credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella), Seussical (Mayzie), Oklahoma (Laurie), The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), NYMF 2010: Frog Kiss (Hortense). She has also recorded as a session singer on a demo for a touring Disney Castle Show. Manna feels incredibly honored to serve our troops as a USO Liberty Bell and is deeply grateful for the courageous men and women who sacrifice so much for our wonderful country.

Adam Roberts

ADAM ROBERTS hails from Myrtle Beach, SC.  He began his career singing and dancing professionally at age 10 for the Carolina Opry where he worked for eleven years. He spent his high school years at the Academy of the Arts, Science, & Technology for Musical Theater and attended Coastal Carolina University majoring in Musical Theater with a minor in Business Administration. Adam has played leading roles in shows such as Grease, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma, and Crazy for You as well as performing on Holland America Cruise Line as a lead singer and dancer. Last year Adam moved to NYC where he became a USO Liberty Bell and is thrilled to be performing with such a rewarding organization. Involvements include membership with the Michael Thomas Dance Company.

Paul Teal

PAUL TEAL was born in Raleigh, NC and grew up in Wilmington, NC. He has lived in New York City for the past year and a half. This is his second year as a USO Liberty Bell and he is so excited to continue performing for our men and woman in uniform. Last year he appeared in seven episodes of the seventh season of The CW's One Tree Hill as sleazy actor, Josh Avery. He has been performing in musicals and plays for the past ten years and he recently appeared in regional productions of High School Musical 2 (Troy Bolton) and Rent (Mark Cohen). Currently he is studying Acting at The William Esper Studio under Terry Knickerbocker.

Corinne Tork

CORINNE TORK was born in San Jose, California and grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. Raised with military influence as the granddaughter of a Marine Corp Captain and the niece of a Staff Sergeant, she has always wanted to be a USO singer in honor of her family and friends in the service. She is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatics Academy in Manhattan. Her professional credits include: Rocknation in Connecticut, The Spirit of Christmas in Washington D.C. and recently SHOUT! and Showdown on the Norwegian Jade. Corinne is thrilled to have the opportunity to sing for the troops and is excited for her USO Liberty Bell journey this year, Oohrah!

Corinne Tork

MELISSA VANPELT is a native of Memphis, TN and a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She proudly made her Broadway debut in Hairspray with Harvey Feinstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur. Her other credits include Hairspray (National Tour), Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin, Purlie and Once on this Island. Melissa has worked on various cruise ships and amusement parks as a featured vocalist and was awarded Best Female Performer by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Melissa is proud to be a USO Liberty Bell for her third year and is passionate about supporting and entertaining the troops and military families around the world. Melissa thanks God for all of his many blessings, including her family. She sends her love to her husband Johnathan, their sons Johnathan II and Jaylen, mama, Lisa, Daniel, Tamar, and Sharon for all of their continued support.