Step Into the Spotlight

On Fridays, the Festival introduces a new music series, “Step into the Spotlight,” which brings to center stage some of those amazing voices that are usually seen (and heard) in the background. Check out the extraordinary lineup of back-up singers or backgrounds vocalists who “step into the spotlight” at the Festival of Arts.

A favorite singer of legendary producer David Foster, Nita has sung with some of the most famous voices of our time. She sang the original demos for Whitney Houston’s standards, I Will Always Love You, I Have Nothing, and I Look to You, working with producer David Foster and Walter Nelson. Having toured with Andrea’ Bocelli as a guest duet artist, as well a featured vocalist on tour with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, Nita has performed for tens of thousands as well hundreds in her own intimate one woman shows, charity galas and corporate events. A former Miss Louisiana and Grand Champion Hall of Fame Star Search Winner, Nita’s superb vocals blends jazz, pop, and classical into her own unique sound. She has performed on stage including four world premiere musicals: Ragtime, Ten Commandments the musical, Breaking Through, and most recently, Born For This: The Bebe Winans Story.

Nita appeared in The Bodyguard as well as other movies, television shows and many recordings including four independent CD records.
She is the author of an award-winning memoir entitled: Finding My Voice, and started a 501c3 non-profit www.inaworldwithbooks.org, that has given nearly 5500 underserved children new books. She is the mother of two beautiful and superbly talented daughters, Skye and Liisi LaFontaine. The best is yet to come!