I have attended Anime Expo for the last five years and I can tell you that each year it gets bigger and better. But this year was special to me because I was privileged to see Stephanie Yanez perform on stage at the Ani-Matsuri. This girl can sing!!! She is a consummate performer.  She rocked the house.  “Tumbling Falling” and her version of “Ningyo Hime” are my favorite songs!

Here is a little bio on Stephanie from her official website:  Stephanie Yanez has been singing ever since she can remember. Music has always been a big part of her life. Her mother used to say how Stephanie would just sing and dance around the house. She was also introduced to Japan Animation at an early age of four. Even though she didn’t know what it was at the time!

At age 18 she performed at many clubs and bars throughout Orange County and LA County with a top 40′s cover band. Also at the same time she was making her own music with her friend Mike Bergen who produced the songs while she wrote the lyrics. She would also perform all over Orange County with her own songs hoping somehow she would be heard.

Everytime Anime Expo (a convention which is held yearly to celebrate Japan Animation) comes around, Stephanie felt it was her getaway. Somewhere to have fun and learn about the Anime she loves and also where she could showcase her talent. First she tried the Karaoke contests. Not making it to the finals her first year, she decided to come back the following year with more determination and passion to achieve her goal. The magical moment came in 2003, when she placed first in the Karaoke contest. AX Idol, a new contest which was held for voice actors and singers who get the opportunity to perform in front of industry judges took place that same year. She tried. She came up empty. But once again Stephanie didn’t let that get her down. She was so passionate and practiced her voice to improve herself as a singer and a performer planning to win Ax Idol 2004. Sure enough Stephanie did win the contest. Walking away feeling very happy she once again achieved this goal without giving up.

Then the greatest opportunity for Stephanie came. Geneon contacted her saying that they wanted to record her version of Ningyo Hime from Chobits. The song that she won Ax Idol 2004 with. Now that Stephanie has recorded her songs (Shift, Sabaku no Yuki, Ningyo Hime) which are featured on the CD ANIME KARAOKE COLLECTION, she was given the chance to come back and perform her songs at AX Idol once again. The CD made it’s big debut at Anime Expo and is now being sold at many major record stores and media outlets.

Stephanie’s future is extremely bright.  She truly loves performing and that comes through to her fans when she is on stage.  I enjoyed watching her rock the mic.  I cannot wait to see her perform again, hopefully I won’t have to wait too long.  I can tell you from corresponding with her through email, Stephanie is as gracious as she is talented.  She was so kind to respond to my emails and supply me with pictures for my article.  I can’t wait to hear more of her music. 

Please support her and enjoy the music by downloading legally!

www.steph-idol.com and  www.myspace.com/stephmusic