For Immediate Release

Date: August 3, 2006 

Mason Middle School Student To Sing National Anthem At 2006 AVP Crocs Cup Cincinnati Open

Twelve-year-old Taylor McMurray to perform before the men’s and women’s weekend finals

CINCINNATI (OH) Before the players take to the sand to entertain fans for the men’s and women’s weekend championship matches a 12-year-old Mason Middle School student will provide a dose of her own entertainment by singing the national anthem.

Taylor McMurray of Mason, Ohio, has been selected to perform on Saturday and Sunday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center for the nationally televised finals of the 2006 AVP Crocs Cup Cincinnati Open.

McMurray has been a frequent performer of the national anthem at various community and sporting events.  Additionally, she was the 2004 Mason Idol Children’s division winner, semi-finalist in the 2005 Mason Idol and 2005-06 West Chester Idol competitions and soloist for MTV songs of the 80’s-90’s at Mason Intermediate.  Other accomplishments include placing first in the Warm 98/Bob Evans Search for HomeTown Talent contest.

McMurray studies under Dr. Karl Resnick at the Musical Arts Center of Cincinnati and is currently studying under blues/jazz vocalist Karen Jennings and participates in various classes in musical theatre and movement with Mason’s Children Theatre and Playhouse in the Park.  She also studied one week under Broadway’s Ms. Saigon conductor Braden Toan, Broadway “Sideshow and Funny Girl” actor John Paul Almon and Ben Munisteri Projects Principal Dancer Eric Sean Fogel.

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour returns to Greater Cincinnati over Labor Day weekend Aug. 31-Sept. 3 for the prestigious season-ending finale of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Championship Series at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.  

Tickets

Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased through mustseeavp.com, Tickets.com, and at all Meijer store locations in Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Dayton and Columbus. Prices start at $18 per session for general admission, $28 for a reserved box seat and $75 for VIP tickets. Group block areas are also available. 

Sessions

Thursday Aug. 31 – 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (Qualifiers- free to all)

Friday Sept. 1 - Session 1 - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Men and Women all day playing)

Friday Sept. 1 - Session 2- 7:30 p.m. -10 p.m. (Men and Women playing)

Saturday Sept. 2 - Session 3 - 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Men and Women playing, but Men's Final live on NBC from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.)

Saturday Sept. 2 - Session 4 - 7:30 p.m. -10 p.m. (Women only playing)

Sunday Sept. 3 - Session 5 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Women only playing with Women's Final on NBC live from 1:30-3pm)

About the AVP

Organized in 1983, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is the most popular and respected beach volleyball organization in the world. Featuring more than 150 of the top American men and women competitors in the sport, the AVP stages events throughout the United States. All tournaments are televised live (or same day) on either Fox Sports Net or NBC Sports. Pro beach volleyball is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sports on the planet. In 2004, AVP athletes successfully represented the USA during the Olympics in Athens, Greece by bringing back a gold and bronze medal - the first-ever won by U.S. women.

For more information and updates on the 2006 AVP Cincinnati Open throughout the summer visit www.mustseeavp.com.

Contacts

For ticket inquiries, sponsorships and additional event information:
Mario Cicchinelli (513)794.4174 mario@reachusa.com

Jennifer Carroll-Frost (513) 794-4172, jcarroll@reachusa.com

Brad McCoy (513)794-4173, bmccoy@reachusa.com

For media inquiries:
Ed Letsinger (513) 794.4177, eletsinger@reachusa.com

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