2018 PASSION Speakers

LOLO is the composer and lyricist of the country/folk musical Songbird (book by Michael Kimmel), which had its Off-Broadway debut at 59E59 Theater in October 2015, where it debuted as a New York Times Critics’ Pick. It is being produced at Two River Theater in Red...

John Dias assumed his position as Artistic Director of Two River Theater in August 2010 after working as a producer and dramaturg in New York for 20 years. In partnership with Managing Director Michael Hurst he has brought new vitality to the 24-year-old Red Bank...

Ben Freeberg is a stand-up comedian and venture capitalist living in New York City. He has performed all over New York at clubs including Caroline's, Gotham, and Dangerfield's, and has shared the stage with Jim Gaffigan, Caroline Rhea, and many others. During the day,...

Felecia Wellington Radel is the digital innovation editor at the Asbury Park Press. She is co-host of USA TODAY network's Fan Theory podcast, and also writes pop culture features, creates interactive graphics, and produces photos/videos for the network. Felecia likes...

A lifelong Jersey Shore resident, Alex Biese has written about the local entertainment scene since 2004. Alex joined the Asbury Park Press in 2005, and has covered film, music, television, craft beer, and pop culture at the local, regional, and national levels for the...

JT Bowen is legendary--in the way most aspiring young singers and artists can only hope to be. He has shaped the world around him with his voice, his music, his heart, and his soul. He has brought his home, New Jersey, to the world, and has been instrumental in...

Come interact with Michela Martello on May 18 and 19 in the Grand Arcade as she paints a mural for TEDxAsburyPark. Born in Grosseto, Italy, Michela Martello's works are humanistic, accessible, and consistently characterized by her use of symbolism. A perpetually...

We are excited to have Emily Grove sing at TEDxAsburyPark. She has performed with just about every local artist and lent her voice to many of their recordings, as demand for her vocal talents has grown. As a solo act, she’s won awards for “Best Female Acoustic Act” at...

Heather is 18, a current student at St. John’s University as a Psychology major, and is trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy (ABA).  This means she is skilled in administering brain- training cognitive therapy and social skills for individual with special...

Accomplished and energetic with a solid history of achievement in organizing, Felicia has been elected twice as an Asbury Park Board of Education member. She has served as President of the Monmouth/Ocean County National Action Network, Education Chairman of...

Lisa Russell, MPH is an Emmy-winning filmmaker with a Master’s in Public Health who has 10+ years experience producing films/creative campaigns and curates artistic performances for UN/NGO agencies. With a diverse portfolio of creative work that spans the arts, social...

After a five-year dry spell, Olive Persimmon embarked on a journey to "get her mojo back" and save her love life by exploring sex and dating in New York City. Her adventures included everything from 20 blind dates in 30 days, exploration of the foot fetish scene...

As the former Creative Director of the Big Apple Circus and Community Programs and now Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Healthy Humor, Karen has performed with and managed hundreds of clowns in leading pediatric hospitals across the country for almost 30 years. A...

Annica Lin spent her formative years in Taiwan, resolving to come to America to provide a better life for her family. To accomplish this, she saved up and bought herself a one-way ticket to NYC, where step by  step, she worked herself up to her version of the American...

David Hernandez is a Cuban-born first generation-immigrant, raised in New York City and educated in private Catholic schools. He is also a professional musician and published composer who has worked and toured internationally. His credits include co-writer,...

In the tradition of many great troubadours before him, LA-born Arlan Feiles has made his way across the American landscape playing and recording his own brand of modern folk rock, gospel, and Americana music. With nothing but a piano and guitar, Arlan continues to wow...

Remy Arnou, 16, found his passion with TED-Ed Club. As president of the Middletown High School South TED-Ed Club, he has led many projects including the Be Heard board, which gives people a platform to express their different ideas. The Be Heard board is currently on...