Pursuing JC / Members
Gregory DeRosa
Pianist SongwriterIs one if the original members.
Jaycee Cardoso
ViolinistJaycee Cardoso, age 19, is a Sophmore at the Manhattan School of Music. He has been playing the violin since he was 6 years old, and has won many awards competitions, and seated first in various orchestras and festivals. He has spent the past few summers traveling with NYO-USA playing in Miami and Carnegie Hall with some of the best young musicians in the country, as well as Spain with the New York Youth Symphony. He regularly performs at Carnegie Hall, and has played at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre, the New World Center in Miami, Steinway Hall NYC, The Long Island Tilles Center, and Symphony Space. Jaycee particularly loves playing in pit orchestras, and has played in productions of Sweeney Todd, Hairspray, Aida, Annie, and Mary Poppins. He is currently a principal for the New York Youth Symphony, and studies with soloist Kelly Hall-Tompkins. Jaycee has loved every minute of his journey with Pursuing JC. They have given him a broader perspective of music-making and worshipping. He hopes to pursue a career in music performance and arts administration.
Kaemon Van
GuitaristKaemon Van is 16 and in his junior year of high school. He has loved every bit of playing guitar, with his inspiration being the one and only Eddie Van Halen. Kaemon’s music taste is very versatile. He can listen to any genre and bop his head or jam out to it. From country music to math rock, Kaemon has heard it all. In his spare time, he loves to get active and play physical sports like soccer. He is always ready to go out and exercise no matter the time. Starting when he was seven, Kaemon started learning the guitar. He picked it up rather quickly and started performing at the early age of eight. Although he may have been small, he knew how to put on a show. Four years later, he would become Pursuing JC's lead guitarist. Even though Kaemon is one of the newer members, he quickly became a fan favorite with both his zealous stage presence and outstanding musicianship. His favorite event to perform at would have to be River Rock Music Festival in Maine. “The atmosphere the festival provides is unlike any other,” Kaemon says. Despite this being his favorite, he has loved the fact that he gets to travel and perform with his second family, Pursuing JC.
Brandon Belcher
VocalistBrandon Belcher is 18 years old and is a senior in high school. He started his music career at age 10 as a lead singer in a 10 to 18 year old band and has continued ever since. Brandon's amazing voice not only got him on stage but on the field before a Mets game. Brandon has performed at top venues, such as the Bolton Tilles Center, numerous outdoor festivals, charity events, and churches. Brandon has had many opportunities to perform on and off Long Island, Manhattan, and most recently, the Adirondacks. Currently, Brandon is in High School Concert Choir. He has participated in NYSSMA singing solo in Italian achieving outstanding scores. He is extremely proud to be a member of Pursuing JC and enjoys the many opportunities this path of Christian Rock and Worship has presented him. "Never in my life have I thought I would have so many new experiences. Doing what I love, performing with the most kind-hearted people, and connecting spiritually on another level."
Jordan Simpson
BassistJordan Simpson is a senior at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Jordan was always surrounded by music growing up. He has always gravitated toward any instrument around him. His passion for music is so deep. At the age of 2, he began to play the drums. With a piano, a guitar, and basses in the house (his dad being a bassist), Jordan would always enjoy learning songs by ear for fun on each of those instruments. Jordan prides himself in being versatile. He was involved with almost every music ensemble throughout high school. Jordan also has a very diverse taste in music, as he listens to everything from pop, to musical theater, to classic r&b, and more. He feels that being versatile is beneficial because it can make you a much stronger and more complete musician. As much as Jordan loves music, he also has a deep love for baseball, his dogs, and coffee (or tea, depending on the day). He also has a great sense of humor, at least in his opinion. Jordan absolutely loves being in Pursuing JC. “It is surreal to be on a stage in front of thousands of people, and to see our name next to some of the biggest names in Christian music. But it’s even more surreal to be able to do this with people I consider family. That’s a feeling you can’t put into words.”
Devin Simpson
Vocalist24-year-old singer, musician, and songwriter who recently completed her degree in media studies & music production at Queens College. She has been performing with Pursuing JC for over 5 years now and although nobody would know due to her amazing and powerful voice on stage... before joining the band she struggled with terrible stage fright that even restricted her from singing in front of her family. Devin has a strong passion for writing music and hopes to begin sharing her music and becoming known, not just as a writer and performer, but also as a voice for those people who struggle to find their way through their own personal issues. Right now she’s focusing on writing music and doing commissions. Pursuing JC has provided many opportunities that have helped her grow both as a musician and as an individual. If you asked Devin 5 years ago where she’d be, performing - especially with people who have become family, wouldn’t have even been a thought in her mind, but she is beyond grateful it has become a reality and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her and Pursuing JC.
Corinne DeRosa
Drummer PercussionistCorinne DeRosa is a junior in high school. She has played the drums since she was 9 years old. Her drum teacher claims that 'she was born to play the drums' and she completely agrees! Corinne loves leading worship as she spreads her natural talent and turns heads everywhere she performs. She has followed in her sister Kelsey's footsteps with sports by being a catcher in softball. In 2015 she competed in a Nashville, TN drum off against drummers from across the country between the ages of 13-19 and won the entire event.
Kelsey DeRosa
VocalistKelsey DeRosa is starting her junior year at Belmont University. Although she has an amazing voice, she is always remembered or her astounding ability to preach the word of God to crowds throughout performances. She has also played the violin since she was 6 years old. She has accomplished many classical milestones with her violin, however her most enjoyable times playing are leading worship in church.
Gregory DeRosa
Keyboardist PianistBeing one of the first members of the band, Gregory DeRosa has been a part of Pursuing JC along with his two sisters for most of his life. Throughout the years, he has witnessed the band grow from what used to be a small youth band, to the family it has become today. For the first years of performing, Gregory would feel uncomfortable doing something as little as bob his head to the beat of a song… Now, he is seen running from one side of the stage to the other, with his keytar in hand, jumping and dancing to the music he plays. While his main instrument is very obviously the piano, Gregory also plays the guitar, and hopes to one day be versatile in every instrument known to man. Since he was young, he was always surrounded by music. His dad played the piano and was the reason he first sat behind the keys, and his mom sang worship at church. Because of this, stepping onto a stage seemed natural. As much as Gregory loves music and performing, he currently attends Belmont University, majoring in Nursing. He hopes he can continue his passion for music for the rest of his life. “The feeling of being on a stage leading people… it's something I can't explain, and something only the people to the left and right of me understand”
