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Local Singer Plays to a Full House in Belmar
by Bill Kolbenschlag for The Coast Star
February, 2001
BELMAR -
Nicole D'Angelo, a singer from the Borough of Belmar, performed for a large crowd at the Belmar Library last week.
The seats that were set up throughout the library filled up quickly for Ms. D'Angelo's performance. People of all different ages came to the library to see the hometown singer perform.
As she watched the people shuffle in, the singer couldn't help but think about how far she has come along as a performer. She said that while performing at several bars and restaurants in the area she has developed a little bit of a fan base. However, while she knew some of the people who were at the library concert, there were many whom she had never seen before.
"There are a lot of new faces here and that's really good," she stated.
Ms. D'Angelo then talked about how she remembered when she first started out as a singer and performed outside of an ice cream shop. "It's really different now," she said, as she looked around the room and saw all of the people waiting for her to play.
Ms. D'Angelo said that she wasn't really nervous, but very excited for the show. As the seats filled up and the 6p.m. showtime approached, the singer took her position behind a keyboard and microphone set up at the far side of the library.
The first song Ms. D'Angelo played was "La Bamba." She said that she wanted to open up with a song that both the children and adults in the audience would recognize so they would become interested in the show right from the beginning.
And her idea worked.
The singer followed up her opener with songs including "My Funny Valentine," "American Pie," "Sweet Caroline," and "Something to Talk About." Many audience members sang and danced along to each of the songs.
"The crowd really got into things as the night went along," she explained. She said that the biggest surprise was the way that the crowd responded favorably to three Broadway songs that she played: "Memories," from Cats, "Music of the Night," from Phantom of the Opera, and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," from Evita.
According to Ms. D'Angelo, the song that was the most challenging to play was "American Pie." She explained that the song took the most work because she had to alternate back and forth from the guitar to the piano. However, she also said she believed it was one of the best songs of the evening.
Ms. D'Angelo said that she usually saves softer songs for later in the show to be sure that her voice is warmed up. She said that some of the songs, such as "My Funny Valentine," require her to hit higher notes when she sings, and that it can be difficult to do early in the show.
One of the other highlights of the evening came when the singer performed "Respect," by Aretha Franklin and several elementary school children volunteered to help her sing the part of the chorus.
The concert was sponsored by the Friends of the Belmar Public Library.
Belmar Library Director Lois Gallagher said that she suggested the organization hire the singer to perform at the library because she is so popular throughout the borough. Mrs. Gallagher said that she felt it would be a great way to draw everyone together as a community. She added that she thought it would also bring people to the library who may have never seen it before.
Ms. D'Angelo has gained popularity in the area over the years. She began performing along the Jersey Shore nearly five years ago, and, at the same time she started her own music business, "Music By Nicole," through which she offers musical entertainment for all occasions.
Ms. D'Angelo graduated from Hanover Park High School in East Hanover, where she was heavily involved in all aspects of the music department. While in school, she became more experienced in music by performing in various vocal and instrumental ensembles, including the highly selective All Eastern Chorus and the New Jersey All-State Chorus.
She went to college at William Paterson University in Wayne where she majored in music education.
Ms. D'Angelo will continue to play in different venues in Belmar. She will be performing at Pat's Tavern in Belmar on Sat. Feb. 24 and Friday, March 2 from 7:30 to 11:30p.m. She will also be appearing at Jack's Tavern, also in Belmar, on Saturday, March 3 from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
For more information on the singer and her upcoming performances, visit her website at
www.MusicByNicole.net.
 
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