We are based in New York and New Jersey and perform in the following modalities:
Music Intensive Workshops
For aspiring musicians! Vocalists and instrumentalists are mentored by Way Past Midnight during two day music intensive workshop where they work through numerous songs. The intensive workshop concludes with the participants performing for a live audience.
House Parties and Office Events
Way Past Midnight will entertain at your event so guests can enjoy the ambience of the music and easily converse with each other. We will also assist a friend or family member who may want to perform that special song to create lifelong memories. We perform as a duo and up to 10 musicians at a time.
Lecture Concerts
Musical narratives geared to a theme of the month. Examples include: Black History Month (February), Women's History Month (March), American Heart Month (March), Jewish-American Heritage Month (May). Goals for any lecture concert can be singular or a series. They are based on the inspirational concepts of the themed event.
Melody Stevens holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a Master of Music Degree from Westminster Choir College at Rider University.
Under Melody's leadership as music director for Red Bank Catholic High School, the choir was a top 3 finalist in NBC's Holiday Singing Competition, judged by Kelly Clarkson and her band. The choir also garnered a silver medal in the Virginia International Music Festival, and the choir has opened for Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular in New York City. Red Bank Catholic's chamber band under Melody's direction has opened for the Norfolk international parade honoring NATO.
Melody has produced over 100 shows and concerts with professional musicians and students of all ages. Several of the performance spaces include the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium at the Brooklyn Museum, Main Street Theater in Parlin, NJ, Center Players Theater in Freehold, NJ, Musicians Workshop in Manalapan, NJ and various churches and High School auditoriums.
At Rutgers University, Fordham University, and University of Maryland (UMUC) Melody has lectured and been on panels on the topics of music education, time management, and entrepreneurship.
Melody wrote and published a book that was an Amazon Best Seller in the category of Self Improvement. The book is entitled “Become a Time Millionaire: 100 Ways to Gain an Extra Hour a Day”.
Melody has been a keynote speaker at women’s conferences, business events, and at universities in the mid-Atlantic region. She is the former New Jersey leader for Savor the Success, a mastermind and business development organization for women entrepreneurs.
At Fairleigh Dickinson University Melody served as an "emergency" vocal technician to help singers who were straining in a musical production of First Date.
Melody is the former owner of a three location music education company based in New Jersey and New York. The locations consisted of a music academy and two performing arts preschools.
Melody took the opportunity during Covid-19 quarantine and the shutdown of Broadway to record and send out daily to friends and family 539 songs in multiple genres. These songs included 14 of her originals.
For 12 years Melody sang in a professional a cappella trio called Women in a Chord. She has served as both a soprano and alto section leader in many church and temple choirs.
Melody teaches voice and piano to students ranging in age from 4 to 80.
Opera roles Melody has performed include Naiad in Ariadne Auf Naxos, Carmen Ghia in The Stoned Guest, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, and Isabel in The Face on the Barroom Floor.
Melody resides in Manalapan, NJ.
Evita Belmonte obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from The City University of New York, New York City College of Technology. The Honorable Borough President Helen Marshall of Queens, New York appointed Evita to be on the New York City Board of Education's "Panel for Educational Policy." As the representative for the Borough of Queens, Evita chaired monthly meetings at Queens Borough Hall for elected officials, community members and parents of children in the New York City school system.
Evita was a recipient of the Women's Forum of New York"s "Women's Forum Education Award". This distinction and grant is given to high-potential women age 35 and over, whose education and lives have been disrupted by extreme adversity.
Evita sang and played multiple instruments with the seven-member soul, rock, musical theater crossover band called "Life USA".
The group became recording artists on RCA Records with the release of the song "A Different Drummer." With Rocky Coast Records, Evita sang the lead vocals on an uptempo dance version of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine". Life USA recorded the single “Foxy Trot” with Buddah Records. The song was released in the USA, Japan, and France.
Life USA was featured as a popular Long Island band in the karate movie “Force Plus Four”. Evita wrote the movie’s theme song and oversaw the soundtrack production for the film.
Evita was the first female trap drum player for the acclaimed guitarist/singer Chuck Berry when Life USA was his band's opening act in a concert where the drummer fell ill. Life USA opened for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, sang the jingle for a Marcal Paper Products commercial, performed at the world-famous Copacabana in New York City, Belmonte Park racetrack, cabarets, restaurants, private parties and notable clubs in Westchester, Long Island, New York, Vermont, Lake George, NY, Panama City, Florida and on various University campuses in Massachusetts.
Evita’s love of music translated to playing the trumpet, the accordion, teaching drums to teens in schools for summer programs, singing songwriter’s original songs on demos, and being the music director for a Queens chapter of the “Church of the Nazarene.” She used her musical background to teach two-to-five-year old’s music in a private preschool named Mozarts and Einsteins, as well as singing and playing drums for two different Contempo church choirs.
Evita resides in Long Island, New York.
"I wanted to say how happy I am for meeting you all. I definitely want to come again. Thank you all for making me feel so welcome and taking care of me!"
Marlee T, Jukebox Musical Participant, Manalapan, NJ
"I had so much fun with you guys. You make me feel so happy and I cried when we left. I really had fun doing this. I’m also glad I got over my fear and shyness!"
Amalya T, Jukebox Musical Participant, Manalapan, NJ
"Melody,
Until the next surprise!!!!
The songs (my play list) the singing (with the special song shared with my grandson) and your singing with Evita) were great and overall your MUSIC truly served as the perfect backdrop to the party.
Thanks to you and Evita."
-Susan K, East Brunswick, NJ
"Last Thursday, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming the band Way Past Midnight to present "Songs in Celebration of Black History Month." The band performed selections from pre-colonial times to the present, introducing each number with an explanation of its importance in Black history and American history. Thank you to Way Past Midnight! ...a wonderful program. Besides the beautiful musical selections, we learned so much!"
-- Morris County Public Library
“Evita and Melody of Way Past Midnight have performed as a duo at my restaurant several times and I keep inviting them back. Their sound is beautiful, unique, and they play and sing in varied styles. My staff and customers enjoy them, and the music has even attracted some new customers in from off the street. Highly recommend.”
-- Fran S, owner of Beach Grille in Long Branch, NJ
"As senior groupies (ages 93 and 78) of Way Past Midnight, it is a pleasure to recommend them for your entertainment treat. They perform many styles of music - jazz, American song book, contemporary, opera, and more. Various settings include a church, sidewalk cafe, outdoor park, 1930's jazz club, etc. Go and hear this talented group perform. you will not be disappointed!"
-Alice and Leo S., Staten Island, NY
"I have had the pleasure of experiencing two wonderful performances of the “Way Past Midnight Ensemble”. Last year we saw them perform in an outdoor festival. I was very much impressed with the range of styles of the performers. They offer everything from Operatic numbers to down home soul/blues numbers. 'Way Past Midnight' with the Bella Luce Ensemble had another outstanding performance in Old Bridge at St. Thomas church. Again, the talent was apparent in the various styles and pieces chosen. This was a delightful event with the ushers getting up to do harmonies for the finale, “Climb Every Mountain”. They sure know how to deliver a celebration of song! Do yourself a favor, get out to see this local talent, they will not disappoint. "
-- Judy K, Jackson, NJ
"Way Past Midnight has been performing at Musicians Workshop, bringing high quality concerts and educational performance based events for students of every age and talent level. Way Past Midnight's blend of professionalism, and gentle guidance with students truly gives them a unique experience of learning and having fun on stage! The staff at Musicians Workshop always looks forward to Way Past Midnight events as they are always entertaining and unique. Way Past Midnight is one of New Jerseys most exciting bands and programs for any students that are interested in everything from Broadway to Hollywood movies. Musicians Workshop loves Way Past Midnight!"
-- James S. owner of Musicians Workshop, Manalapan, NJ
"My 9 year old grandaughter and I take piano lessons with Melody. She mentioned that she was performing so we went! I cannot tell you how captivated we both were the entire time, we were mesmerized! One was more talented than the next! We were local! I suggest anyone who appreciates the arts to try and catch a performance for an elevated entertainment experience! Btw, Melody is an excellent piano teacher!"
-- Judy R, Matawan NJ
"My husband and I attended the Viva La Beat on May 15th at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, and we enjoyed it so much that we would like to provide a testimonial. Way Past Midnight and Ensemble Bella Luce performed all different genres of music, from opera to rock. The music and voices were incredible. The entire audience, including ourselves, were engrossed in this beautiful concert. We are so looking forward to the next one."
-- Robin M.
"Over the past few years I have enjoyed watching the evolution of and listening to the amazing band Way Past Midnight. From concerts on the front porch of Melody's home, intimate coffee house events, and full orchestra concerts in Churches, the set lists represent a well crafted and diverse range of music / vocals from rock to opera making for most pleasing and very enjoyable performances."
-- Larry C, Manalapan, NJ
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