User:Rhonda Hannibal

Rhonda Hannibal is an American Singer/Songwriter/Record Producer and Filmmaker. A native of Chicago, IL. Rhonda was introduced to show business at the age of 3 initially through the art of dance. While enrolled at the Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre under the direction of Sammy Dyer (choeographer and show producer) then later Shirley Hall-Bass (choreographer and theatrical director). It was under Mr. Dyer and Miss Hall's tutelage that Rhonda was taught staging, lights ,costumes and key elements of performance. Mr. Dyer had performed on broadway and also had become head producer at the Chicago's hottest clubs like Club Delisa, The Regal Theatre and Robert's show lounge. Miss Hall had toured with her own group the Dyerettes they toured around the US and in South America with headliners such as Sammy Davis Jr., Sarah Vaughn and Tito Puentes. Rhonda learned record production after many marathon sessions at the world famous Chess Records studios and the "hit making" Paul Serrano's recording studios in Chicago. As a teenager and young adult she was hired as secretary for record producers who fortunately noticed her songwriting abilities. Producers included the likes of (Rock & Roll Hall of Famer) Ralph Bass who also managed Chess studios. Rhonda also penned a single entitled (Chicago where people say hello)   penned with internationally renowned arrangers Riley Hampton and (multi-award winning arranger/producer)Tom-Tom Washington. The single was recorded by vocalist Carmen Bradford who fronted The Count Basie Orchestra conducted by Thad Jones and later Frank Foster. Rhonda also plays guitar. Her signature rhythmic sound is Afro/Cuban and Brazilian. In the early 1980's she served as vice president of Major Label Records a small Jazz label started by an esteemed tv news anchor, Harry Porterfield who held title as president of the label. In the mid 80's Rhonda met Linda Wolfe a senior ad producer and was introduced to the advertising world. Employed by Foote Cone & Belding as a floater in a variety of departments opened the door eventually for her to handle talent. As an agent she represented talent who worked with Oprah Winfrey (Brewster Place) Michael Jordan (sports illustrated) Micheal Jackson (Jam) and many national ads (print and tv). Rhonda attended High School at Jones Commercial High and studied Music/Theater at Columbia College Chicago. She writes a variety of genres of music yet focuses mainly on Jazz and writing treatments and scripts for filmmaking. To her delight, after contributing some original music to a documentary, the production group received several Emmys for a TV film titled Paper Trail. Rhonda enjoys discovering new technology as she works with computer based sequencer programs for music,and computer based editing programs for film.