Enfield Native Hits Billboard Chart With Holiday Song Collection

ENFIELD, CT — One of the most talented vocal artists ever to come out of northern Connecticut is back at it, with the recent release and Billboard chart debut of a special holiday EP.

Cassandra Kubinski, valedictorian of the Enfield High School Class of 2001, is offering up some "Holiday Magic" this winter - which happens to be the title of her latest recording. The 6-song EP includes three holiday standards - albeit with a different twist on each of them - and three originals which she refers to as “new classics, destined to be played next to old favorites for years to come.”

The old favorites are "Sleigh Ride," a duet with R&B singer Matt Cusson; "Little Drummer Boy," featuring Kubinski's sisters Ali and Jackie; and a mashup of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with the Simon & Garfunkel classic, "Homeward Bound."

Original recordings are the upbeat "Christmas Is All About," the retro-sounding "It Doesn't Feel Like December," and “New Year Comin’.”

The message of the latter tune is "letting go of the old year, no matter what has or hasn’t happened in it, and looking forward to a new one with hope,” Kubinski said.

Upon its release, "Holiday Magic" debuted at number 46 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Songs from the EP are currently in rotation on over 20 radio stations nationwide, including Lite 100.5 WRCH in Hartford.

The petite songstress has been performing for more than two decades, notably playing the title role in a Goodspeed Opera House production of "Annie" when she was just 13 years old.

"Connecticut was such a special part of my upbringing, and I have so many wonderful memories of holidays there: the trolley museum in East Windsor all lit up; drinking hot chocolate and caroling with Voices Incorporated on the Town Green in Enfield at the tree lighting; going to Hartford for First Night," she said. "I hope that this album and these songs become the soundtrack for many future holidays in Connecticut and beyond, and I hope that the music I'm making now can contribute to these types of events in Connecticut during the holiday seasons to come."

Kubinski has appeared on film alongside Sean Connery, and on television opposite Michael J. Fox. Eight of her songs have been featured on the Lifetime series, "Dance Moms.

“Holiday Magic” was produced by Grammy nominee Chris Sclafani, known for his work with Ed Sheeran, Gwen Stefani and Selena Gomez. The EP is available on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play.

More information about Kubinski may be found at www.cassandrakubinski.com.

Photos courtesy of Cassandra Kubinski