David Lei Brandt
Encyclopedia
David Lei Brandt is a singer/dancer/actor. Brandt achieved the current height of his fame as a member of Varsity Fanclub
, a boy band
signed to Capitol Records
.
. His mother was an accomplished singer/actress, and Father was an equity theatre director/actor/producer. At the age of 2 his mother took him to Evansville, Indiana
, while his father stayed in Upland, California
. From the age of 2 to 14 he spent his life traveling back and forth between both parents. At an early age he discovered he was a talented actor, singer, and dancer. David started his show business career at his Fathers equity theatre company, The Grove Productions. His first acting debut was Tom of Warick in Camelot
starring Dale Kristian, original Christine Daaé
in Broadways, Phantom of the Opera. He than began to continue with many more shows.
At the age of 14, David officially moved to California to live with his Father. He attended Chaffey High School
in Ontario, California
. Here is where David actively started taking dance, acting, and singing, more seriously.
At 15 he landed his first National Commercial representing Chef Boyardee
, TIMES 3 PROD. At the age of 16, David became the Disney Channel
spokes person for up and coming Disney series Zoog Weekendz Insider and Ham Niederman in Disney Channel's, Pumbaa Bowl. He became captain of the dance team and had taken the lead roles of Tony in West Side Story
, Knickie in Grease
, Javier in Les Misérables
, Huck Finn in Big River
, and Troy in High School Musical
. http://www.youtube.com/user/CHSThespians#p/u/7/D0IpL9zwAko
After graduation he began teaching dance all across the country. He returned to LA to open up Studio Elite Inc. in Rancho Cucamonga, California
with Larina Chavez. At this time is where he learned of the audition for Varsity Fanclub
.
” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEBhUWJoOY&feature=related David also enjoys playing basketball, teaching dance, and “just chillin with friends.”
David has eclectic tastes in music and enjoys “every type of music from classical to jazz
to rock to pop and RnB. He lists Michael Jackson, Prince
, and Stevie Wonder
as his favorite musicians. Brandt says, “My family and friends back home mean the world to me. They've always supported me, even when I choose to do the "impossible".”
, a music group originally signed to Capitol Records
. David and the other members were discovered at auditions held by production company. The goal of these auditions was to find five "triple-threats" as vocalists, dancers, and actors, each one of them groomed to "dazzle in the studio, on stage, and in every TV or film endeavor."
Varsity Fanclub
gained their first attention by giving a special showcase performance at the EMI Music Rooftop on August 19, 2008 in New York City
. In 2008, the band made started their radio tour pop music
radio stations, giving live studio performances and greeting new fans. David Varsity Fanclub
bandmates were Bobby Edner
, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and Thomas Fiss. Their debut single, “Future Love” (written by Ryan Tedder
and Evan Bogart
), can be found on iTunes
by Apple Inc. The "Future Love" music video
premiered October 14, 2008 on Varsity Fanclub
's Official MySpace
, and was posted on YouTube
two days later. The video shows David and his bandmates performing a futuristic digital concert. Each of the band members' names appears on the screen, and a dance break occurs midway into the song.
They have opened for such artists as Rihanna
, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Phooson, Jordan Sparks, and Jesse Mccartney
.
Albums
, Ryan Tedder
, Gabe Lopez
, Troy Johnson
, Isaiah Vest, RedOne
, Marc Kinchen, Brent Paschke, Sean Alexander
, Mitchel Musso
, YoungBoyz, Claude Kelly
.
Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
, a boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
.
Biography
David was born in Pomona, CaliforniaPomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
. His mother was an accomplished singer/actress, and Father was an equity theatre director/actor/producer. At the age of 2 his mother took him to Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
, while his father stayed in Upland, California
Upland, California
Upland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, located at an elevation of 1,242 feet . As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 73,732, up from 68,393 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on May 15, 1906, after previously being named North Ontario.-History and culture:Upland...
. From the age of 2 to 14 he spent his life traveling back and forth between both parents. At an early age he discovered he was a talented actor, singer, and dancer. David started his show business career at his Fathers equity theatre company, The Grove Productions. His first acting debut was Tom of Warick in Camelot
Camelot (musical)
Camelot is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe . It is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from the T. H. White tetralogy novel The Once and Future King....
starring Dale Kristian, original Christine Daaé
Christine Daaé
Christine Daaé is the main female character in Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera , the young singer with whom the main character Erik, the Phantom of the Opera falls in love.- Character history :...
in Broadways, Phantom of the Opera. He than began to continue with many more shows.
At the age of 14, David officially moved to California to live with his Father. He attended Chaffey High School
Chaffey High School
Chaffey High School is a public secondary school in Ontario, California. It is one of the eleven schools of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. The school rests on approximately , making it one of the largest high schools by area in California....
in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
. Here is where David actively started taking dance, acting, and singing, more seriously.
At 15 he landed his first National Commercial representing Chef Boyardee
Chef Boyardee
Chef Boyardee is a brand of canned pasta products sold internationally by ConAgra Foods. Named after its founder, Italian-American immigrant Ettore Boiardi, the company began production in the United States in the 1920s...
, TIMES 3 PROD. At the age of 16, David became the Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
spokes person for up and coming Disney series Zoog Weekendz Insider and Ham Niederman in Disney Channel's, Pumbaa Bowl. He became captain of the dance team and had taken the lead roles of Tony in West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
, Knickie in Grease
Grease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
, Javier in Les Misérables
Les Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
, Huck Finn in Big River
Big River (musical)
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a musical with a book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller.Based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it features music in the bluegrass and country styles in keeping with the setting of the novel...
, and Troy in High School Musical
High School Musical on Stage!
High School Musical on Stage! is a musical based on the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical, with music and lyrics by Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray and Greg Cham, Drew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, Bryan Louiselle, David N. Lawrence, Faye Greenberg...
. http://www.youtube.com/user/CHSThespians#p/u/7/D0IpL9zwAko
After graduation he began teaching dance all across the country. He returned to LA to open up Studio Elite Inc. in Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga is a suburban city in San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,269, up from 127,743 at the 2000 census. L. Dennis Michael was elected as Mayor on November 2, 2010. Jack Lam is the City Manager...
with Larina Chavez. At this time is where he learned of the audition for Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
.
Hobbies and interests
David says that he “grew up always dancing and singing in front of people, as well as imitating Michael JacksonMichael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEBhUWJoOY&feature=related David also enjoys playing basketball, teaching dance, and “just chillin with friends.”
David has eclectic tastes in music and enjoys “every type of music from classical to jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
to rock to pop and RnB. He lists Michael Jackson, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
as his favorite musicians. Brandt says, “My family and friends back home mean the world to me. They've always supported me, even when I choose to do the "impossible".”
Varsity Fanclub
From 2006 through the present, David still is a member of Varsity FanclubVarsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
, a music group originally signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. David and the other members were discovered at auditions held by production company. The goal of these auditions was to find five "triple-threats" as vocalists, dancers, and actors, each one of them groomed to "dazzle in the studio, on stage, and in every TV or film endeavor."
Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
gained their first attention by giving a special showcase performance at the EMI Music Rooftop on August 19, 2008 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In 2008, the band made started their radio tour pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
radio stations, giving live studio performances and greeting new fans. David Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
bandmates were Bobby Edner
Bobby Edner
Robert Charles Edner is an American actor, singer, dancer, and rapper. He was a member of the boy band Varsity Fanclub.- Biography :Edner's first credit was in 1997, as "Chip" in a straight-to-video Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen release...
, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and Thomas Fiss. Their debut single, “Future Love” (written by Ryan Tedder
Ryan Tedder
Ryan Benjamin Tedder is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the frontman of the pop rock band, OneRepublic, though he has an independent career as songwriter and producer for various artists such as Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Jordin Sparks, Leona...
and Evan Bogart
Evan Bogart
Evan "Kidd" Bogart is an American music executive, television producer, music publisher and songwriter who has contributed to a long list of internationally successful artists...
), can be found on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
by Apple Inc. The "Future Love" music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
premiered October 14, 2008 on Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub
Varsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
's Official MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, and was posted on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
two days later. The video shows David and his bandmates performing a futuristic digital concert. Each of the band members' names appears on the screen, and a dance break occurs midway into the song.
They have opened for such artists as Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Phooson, Jordan Sparks, and Jesse Mccartney
Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney is an American singer-songwriter, actor and voice actor. McCartney achieved fame in the late 1990s on the daytime drama All My Children as JR Chandler. He later joined boy band Dream Street, and eventually branched out into a solo musical career...
.
Filmography
- 2008- The MiddlemanThe Middleman (TV series)The Middleman is an American television series. The series, which was developed for television by Javier Grillo-Marxuach for ABC Family, is based on the Viper Comics series, The Middleman, created by Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine...
ABC Family Network, Episode 6, aired July 21, 2008 - 2006- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is a 2006 adventure fantasy film and the second film of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, following Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . It was directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and produced by...
Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney... - 2002- Zoog Weekendz Insider Disney ChannelDisney ChannelDisney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
- 2002- Pumbaa Bowl Disney ChannelDisney ChannelDisney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
Toon DisneyToon DisneyToon Disney was an American cable television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company. A spinoff of Disney Channel, it mostly aired children's animated series and some live action programming. Its format had similarities to those of Cartoon Network and Nicktoons... - 2001- Chef BoyardeeChef BoyardeeChef Boyardee is a brand of canned pasta products sold internationally by ConAgra Foods. Named after its founder, Italian-American immigrant Ettore Boiardi, the company began production in the United States in the 1920s...
Times 3 Prod.
Discography
Singles and EPs- "Future Love" (with Varsity Fanclub)
- "I'm Your Guy" (with Varsity Fanclub)
Albums
- Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 11Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 11Radio Disney Jams 11 is the eleventh album in the Radio Disney Jams series. It is a compilation of popular songs played on Radio Disney.- Track listing :-Bonus DVD:The Bonus DVD includes the following:...
-- compilation of popular songsPopular SongsPopular Songs is the twelfth full-length album by Hoboken-based rock band Yo La Tengo, released digitally, on CD, and double LP on September 8, 2009. It is their 7th album released on Matador and the eighth album to be given Matador's Buy Early Get Now treatment...
played on Radio DisneyRadio DisneyRadio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
, including "Future Love", performed with Varsity FanclubVarsity FanclubVarsity Fanclub is a boy band from Los Angeles, California. Varsity Fanclub currently consists of David Lei Brandt, Drew Ryan Scott, Jayk Purdy, and T.C. Carter....
(released on January 27, 2009).
Other projects
- Gabe Lopez music: produced 2 remixes of "Run" and "Hot PInk". can be found on iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
by Apple Inc.
Collaborations
David has collaborated with the following Artists/Producers The UnderdogsThe Underdogs (duo)
The Underdogs is an R&B/pop production duo composed of Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas.-Biography:Harvey Mason, Jr. is the son of Harvey Mason, Sr., a noted session drummer...
, Ryan Tedder
Ryan Tedder
Ryan Benjamin Tedder is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the frontman of the pop rock band, OneRepublic, though he has an independent career as songwriter and producer for various artists such as Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Jordin Sparks, Leona...
, Gabe Lopez
Gabe Lopez
Gabe Lopez is an American pop-rock singer/songwriter and producer. He is of Hispanic and Irish descent.- Artist career :Known in Los Angeles for performing in noted venues such as The Roxy Theatre, The House of Blues, and The Derby and voted one of Music Connection Magazine's Hot 100 Artists,...
, Troy Johnson
Troy Johnson
Troy Johnson is an American gospel and soul singer. He got his first break with a track on the Blame it on Rio soundtrack in 1984, and signed to Motown Records, where he released his first album. He scored a hit in 1986 with "It's You", which peaked at #65 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart....
, Isaiah Vest, RedOne
RedOne
Nadir Khayat , known by the stage name RedOne, is a Moroccan producer and songwriter. Renowned for co-producing hit singles such as "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "LoveGame", "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Judas", he is attributed by some as the key to Lady Gaga's success...
, Marc Kinchen, Brent Paschke, Sean Alexander
Sean Alexander
Sean Alexander is a record producer, songwriter, and recording engineer. He is also a member of the band Avenue 52. Sean specializes in pop, rock and R&B, and studied at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood.-Discography:...
, Mitchel Musso
Mitchel Musso
Mitchel Tate Musso is an American actor, singer-songwriter and musician. Musso is best known for his three Disney Channel roles as Oliver Oken in the Disney Channel sitcom, Hannah Montana, Jeremy Johnson in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb and his role as King Brady in the...
, YoungBoyz, Claude Kelly
Claude Kelly
Claude Kelly is an American singer-songwriter. He has a prolific discography, well known for writing for artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Jay Sean, Adam Lambert, Jessie J and Charice.-Career:He began playing the piano...
.