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 BA 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 experience entertaining our military and veterans as a past performer with The American Belles.  She is now thrilled to continue this incredible mission with The USO Liberty Bells.

Ali Bertash

ALI BERTASH is a native New Yorker, where she attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy as well as New School University, finishing with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. After touring nationally with New York Dinner Theatre, she went on to perform in venues such as the Manhattan Center, Hammerstein Ballroom, and sporting events. Some of her New York credits include Dreamgirls and Rubirosa the World's Greatest Lover. Another great accomplishment of Ali's singing career was being hired as a backup singer for Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. Also a recognized singer and songwriter, she completed her first major single in Europe soon to be released this year. With a strong military presence in her family, Ali is honored to serve a second year with the USO Liberty Bells.

Nancy Emerson

NANCY EMERSON is proud to continue performing with the USO Liberty Bells.  Nancy has been a part of the USO since 2008 when she was chosen to serve as Miss USO 2008.  Originally from Michigan, she moved to New York where she graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy as a Performing Arts Major. Nancy then went on to perform as lead singer on Holland America Cruise Line, the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2006-2007, and toured nationally with Shout! The Mod Musical as the Red Girl. She would like to thank her wonderful family for all of their love and support.  Nancy is proud to continue using her gifts and passion to brighten the spirits of military personnel and their families through the USO and wishes that all those fighting for our freedom return safely.

Heidi-Marie Ferren

In March, 2009, The USO of Metropolitan New York was proud to crown HEIDI-MARIE FERREN as Miss USO 2009.  Originally from Camarillo, California, Heidi-Marie is delighted to be a USO Liberty Bell for her second year. She received her Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Delaware, PTTP with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas. Heidi is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association. Some of her credits include Disneyland in Anaheim, entertaining at President Clinton’s Inauguration, and numerous national commercials and musicals.  Her theater credits include Man of La Mancha, Life of Galileo, Peter Pan, Grease, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream and many others.

Georgia Hair

Originally from Scotland, GEORGIA HAIR is delighted and immensely proud to be performing for her fostered country. She is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy as a Performing Arts Major.  In 2008, Georgia completed the first National Tour of Shout! The Mod Musical, where she played the role of Orange Girl. In 2004 she spent time volunteering in Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa working in schools and orphanages on restoration and teaching projects. Georgia is serving as a USO Liberty Bell for a second year and is so grateful that she can continue to share her talents to perform for all the men and women who continue to defend our freedom. Georgia sends love to her family and friends and is proud to represent Scotland’s support to our US military.

Hillary Helmling

HILLARY HELMLING is originally from Vincennes, Indiana.  After leaving Indiana she attended Elon University in North Carolina with a BFA in Music Theatre. Hillary is excited to perform with the USO Liberty Bells and hopes to give back to the men and women serving in the New York area and around the world.  Hillary has many credits under her belt but some of her favorite professional credits include Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, Children of Eden, Urinetown and reoccurring roles on All My Children. When she is not performing, she is also a certified Yoga instructor teaching throughout the city.  Hillary is thrilled to have the opportunity to perform with the USO and the 2009 Liberty Bells.  Much love to her family for their continued love and support!

Kaitlin Monte

KAITLIN MONTE is honored to support service members and their families through the USO.  A University of Tampa graduate with a degree in Performing Arts, Kaitlin spent time performing at Busch Gardens Tampa as a lead singer and animal handler. Kaitlin also reigned as Miss Tampa and first runner up to Miss Florida as well as holding the title of Miss Teenager of New York.  Kaitlin is originally from Rochester, New York where she toured as lead vocalist for three years with Nik Entertainment.  She has appeared in over 40 live stage productions, including roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, and Jo March in Little Women.  Kaitlin is thrilled to be a proud member of the USO and ambassador for such an outstanding organization.

Angelo Rios

ANGELO RIOS is very pleased to be joining the USO Liberty Bells. He is a native of Rochester, NY and began singing in church at the young age of three.  Angelo is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and has been seen in theatre and concert both regionally and nationally. Some of Angelo’s credits include Dreamgirls, Miss Saigon, If This Hat Could Talk  (written and directed by Tony Award winner George Faison), AIDA, Godspell, Grease, and Guys and Dolls just to name a few. He also performed as a lead vocalist for Holland America Cruise Line.  He is proud to perform for the USO and would like to thank his Momma, A and Am for their undying love and support, and to God for allowing him to live and love through the gift of song. ''Dare to dream''.

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.

Hilary Thompson

HILARY THOMPSON is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. She moved to NYC to pursue her passion for the arts and theater. She attended New York University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Tisch School of the Arts.  Since graduating she has had the pleasure of performing in various theatres across the country.  Some of her favorite roles include The Producers, Crazy for You, Thoroughly Modern Millie, All Shook Up, Oklahoma, and Singin’in the Rain.  She is a proud AEA member.  One of Hilary's most recent performances was singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the NY Rangers.  Hilary feels extremely blessed and honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful USO tradition.

Melissa Vanpelt

MELISSA VANPELT is a native of Memphis, TN and a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.  Melissa 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 thanks God for all his many blessings including her family.  Much love to my husband Johnathan and two beautiful boys Johnathan II and Jaylen.  Thank you to Mama, Lisa, Daniel, Tamar and Sharon for all their continued support.

Lexi Windsor

LEXI WINDSOR is originally from Oklahoma and always dreamed of performing with the USO and is honored to be part of such a wonderful organization.  Lexi studied musical theatre at the University of Oklahoma where she became a faculty member in the Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre.  She has performed professionally in NYC and has worked at many regional theatres in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas.  She has also performed at venues including Spirit Harbor Cruises, FAO Schwarz, Universal Studios, and the United States Tap Competition.  Lexi extends a very special thank you to her father and brother for serving this amazing country!  This is Lexi’s second year with the USO Liberty Bells and hopes to bring yet another year of joy and a touch of home to our service members.