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A blue background features the orange and red Omnium: a Bold New Circus logo in the center. 6 Omnium Superstars surround the Omnium logo, from left to right: Beautiful Johnson, Jen Bricker-Bauer and Dominik Bauer, Elan España, Johnathan Lee Iverson, Noemi España, and Anna Gichan. Each in an active pose from performance. A red frame surrounds the graphic with a footer filled with 6 accessibility features: ADA Wheelchair access, ASL, Audio Description, Relaxed Seating and Calming Area.

Omnium

A Bold New Circus

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Danette E. Sheppard-Vaughn

“To God Be The Glory For The Great Things He Hath Done” says Danette E.  Sheppard-Vaughn, the first featured female vocalist in the 147-year history of  Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus. “That is my signature phrase  because God is sooo good and continues to bless me beyond my wildest  dreams!” Here I am honored to be the Ringmaster of the Omnium Circus. 

Danette was born on January 16th at the former Sydenham Hospital in New  York City. She enjoys cooking, listening to music, dancing, swimming,  socializing with family and friends, and internet technology. She loves bright  colors and anything glittery and sparkling. In addition to being artistic, as a  child, Danette excelled in school, skipped two grades, and graduated high  school at age 16 and she gives all credit for her gifts and talents to God. “I try  to bring a certain spirituality to whatever I’m doing, whether it’s gospel,  comedy, musical theatre, or the circus. I want God to get the Glory for all that I  can do and all that I am!”  

After several years in office management, Danette made the decision to try  show business full-time (“so I wouldn’t regret it later” and sing the famous  shoulda-coulda-woulda song). As a result, in addition to being an artist, she  has extensive experience in the “real world” as an Operations  Manager. Danette has always put a great deal of effort into her goals as  evidenced by her graduation cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music  (Musical Theatre) from New Jersey City University. 

A native New Yorker, and current member of Actor’s Equity Association,  Danette began singing at the Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem at the age of  14. Since making her professional debut, she has amassed an impressive list of  musical theatre credits, including sharing the stage with legends like Patti  Labelle, Freda Payne, and Debbie Gibson, just to name a few, a three-month  European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar(Soul Girl/Mary u/s), a tour of the  musical revue Smokey Joe’s Café with Gladys Knight, a leading role in the Off Broadway production of Red Hot Broadway starring BJ Crosby and regional  theatre productions of Pippin (Berthe), In the Heights (Abuela), Sister Act (Mother Superior), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Jewel), The Last Session (Tryshia), Chicago (Mama Morton), Nunsense (Sister Mary Herbert), and  Ain’t Misbehavin‘ (Nell, for which she was awarded the Connecticut Critics  Circle Award). 

Danette is a recent widow and has a sixteen-year-old daughter, Bree (her pride  and joy) who sings and performs as well. Danette is able to pursue her dreams  thanks to an extremely supportive network and incredible parents. Her mother, Rev. Ellen R. Hoist, is an ordained minister and retired Director of  the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Bronx Community College. Her  father, Rev. Ralph H. Hoist III, is also an ordained minister who retired from  the New York City Transit Authority. They currently serve as the Pastor and  Co-Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in St. Albans, NY. “I am so blessed to  be part of such a wonderful family. They are so supportive and loving and I  thank them from the bottom of my heart for all they have done for me.”  Mamie E. Sheppard, Danette’s late maternal grandmother and matriarch of  the family, was also extremely supportive of her gifts and talents. “I honor her  from the bottom of my heart and I thank her for her encouragement.” She  truly believed that even with limited financial means (Grant Projects in  Harlem), anyone and everyone can be a success in their lives and make their  dreams come true with hard work and determination. Danette is a prime  example of that. Stay connected with her @dazzlingdanette on IG, FB & Tiktok

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CircuSense Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation doing business as Omnium: A Bold New Circus.

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Omnium is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

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