TORCHBEARERS DOCUMENTARY
RECEIVES AN EMMY NOMINATION

September 9, 2006, Pittsburgh music producer, Emmai Alaquiva, received a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Nomination for producing the soundtrack "Torchbearers", which is a civil rights documentary about the movement in Western Pennsylvania. The documentary was produced by Chris Moore and Minette Seate. Torchbearers featured many Pittsburgh artists such as Sonji, Nathan James, Carolyn Perteete, Howie Alexander, Tim Clark, Hutch and Scott Simon of the HutchSimon Project, Patrick Polk & Ministries, E. Ron Horton and more. The Soundtrack was produced in 6 days. Chris told Alaquiva about the documentary on a Thursday and it was complete that next Wednesday. Alaquiva's upcoming projects include soundtracking Fashion Africana 2006, reproducing all new music for Black Horizons, two more soundtracks for WQEQ/PBS documentaries (A Vietnam Story and Jim Crow of Pennsylvania), two audio books for Malik Yoba and VH1's Dr. Ian Smith.

Alaquiva has come along way in a short period time. He is very humble and appreciates all accolades that are coming his way. Even though they did not win the Emmy, Alaquiva says, "It's very humiliating, there are so many people out there that do great work for years and with such good intentions and never get noticed for their work. If we would have won, I would have shouted out all those they came before me to make it possible for to inspire the world with what I do."

Six years ago, Emmai Alaquiva was homeless for two years and started as a doorman at the Shadow Lounge in 2001 sweeping up cigarette butts and cleaning bathrooms. Later that year he opened YaMomzHouse, which is a full service recording studio and is Pittsburgh's premiere recording studio located in the heart of the East Liberty (above the Shadow Lounge). He owns and operates YaMoMzHouse and also lived there until September of 2002. He started working at WAMO 106.7FM, April 22, 2002. He is now the Production Director for WAMO 106.7FM, Talk 860 and WPGR 1510.

Alaquiva's influences include: Donny Hathaway, John Coltrane, Alfred Lion and Frances Wolf. "Everything that is done comes from Hathaway's spirit and Coltrane is a true example of a person who knew how to dig within himself first. Lion's and Wolf's, who are producers for 95% percent of all blue note albums, are classic examples of people who believe in everyone and knew how to bring it out of them even when they couldn't do it for themselves, which is what I strive to do in all I do," says Alaquiva.

YaMomzHouse has earned a reputation for recording, producing, mixing and mastering for world-renown artists such as Malik Yoba (FX's THIEF), Michael Blackson, Raheem Devaugn, HutchSimon Project, The Boondocks, Nathan James, Trey Songz, PBS, WQED, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, GetGO, Giant Eagle and more. YaMomzHouse has served clients in the Pittsburgh area with projects from the smallest idea of making a demo CD to handling sound design for major productions both in and outside the Pittsburgh area with extensive credentials on national albums, plays, movies, documentaries as well as radio and television commercial. With its extensive selection of professional mics, DI boxes, compressors, synth/sampling workstations, beat making software, effects processors, and Technics 1200's, YaMomzHouse is recognized as one of the leading providers in quality recording in the city of Pittsburgh.

Some of the services provided at YaMomzHouse are: audio/live recording; mixing; mastering; music production; mix tape production; Radio and TV commercials; VoiceOvers/Aircheck demos; Sound design for theater; performance soundtracks; step-show contracts; retail store mix CD's; Film Scoring; Artist development; visual design (CD covers, posters, business cards); CD Duplication; ASCAP/BMI registration; and listening sessions/release parties.

The studio has a full-service staff, a control room, production room, and lounge area that allows the clientele the ability to have comfortable recording from down home while in a relaxed environment.

For more info call 412-661-6900 or email @ yamomzhouse@gmail.com