
DATE: Friday, April 11, 1997                TAG: 9704110583

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   57 lines

BEACH SINGER TO BE OPENING ARTIST IN D.C. PARADE SATURDAY

A Beach performing artist will face her largest audience when she breaks into song in front of thousands of spectators at Saturday's 85th annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.

Letha Holland Deel, a singer and actress, was chosen to lead this year's parade along Constitution Avenue in the nation's capital. She will be riding on a float and step down to the street to perform.

Deel's Julie Andrews-like singing voice is what netted her the coveted spot as the opening performer in the parade, said Vince Corozine, a music industry teacher at Elizabeth City State University and songwriter who is often asked to recommend parade performers.

``I was very impressed with Letha's voice,'' said Corozine. ``She sounds beautiful.''

Earning the top spot in the parade is the latest in a line of achievements for Deel. She recently released her first CD, ``To A Man,'' and a music video. The 31-year-old regularly performs in Regent University musicals and is the music director at Spring Branch Community Church. Deel met Corozine a few months ago when she performed a song he had written. After two performances, Corozine was a fan.

``When they (festival people) called asking if I knew anyone, I held the phone up to the speakers and that was it,'' said Corozine.

Deel also was the opening act for the recent Elvis festival held at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and has done several television commercials.

Deel's interest in singing and performing was sparked when she was given a standing ovation as a first-grader in Florida singing ``How Much Is that Doggie in the Window'' at a school talent show.

Deel, a 1992 graduate of Regent University's theater program, lives with her husband, Keith Deel, and their 19-month-old daughter, Keeley, in Princess Anne.

Deel says she's excited about her upcoming performance but is just as happy to get the opportunity for a weekend get-away with her husband, a car salesman, and daughter. The couple leave tonight for Washington and an all-expenses paid stay in a swanky hotel.

``We needed a little trip,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CHARLIE MEADS/The Virginian-Pilot

Letha Holland Deel recently released her first CD, ``To A Man,'' and

a music video. She'll sing in front of thousands at the Cherry

Blossom Festival Parade.

Graphic

FESTIVAL FACTS

WHAT: The 85th annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

WHERE: Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets Northwest

in Washington, D.C.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

WHY: The annual festival celebrates the flowering of some 3,000

cherry blossom trees that the City of Tokyo gave to Washington as a