Individual Bios

GINA CUCHETTI   (Vocals, Piano)

Born the youngest of ten into a musical family group, the first five years of Gina's life were spent on stage or traveling in a bus. Gina began showing an interest in music and performing pretty much from day one of her life.  When she came out screaming in the hospital room, her father knew right away that no baby with lungs like that could be anything but a singer!  Sure enough, from then on, Gina's life was encompassed by music.  While at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School, Gina was involved in church cantering, talent shows, played saxophone in the band and stood out even at such a young age as an obvious performer.  The continuation of her love and involvement with music lasted through high school and on to college.  In 1998 Gina entered the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where she earned her bachelor of music degree in vocal performance.  During her studies at Berklee, Gina was involved in numerous performances including Show time at the Apollo in Harlem New York.  She also had the privilege to perform in the college's annual Singers Showcase for all four years of her college career.  After graduation in 2002 Gina became a vocal and piano instructor at a local music store in her home town of New Smyrna Beach, FL.  She continued her involvement in church as the director of the children's choir at Epiphany Catholic Church in Port Orange FL.  Gina currently is a full time song leader at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and is recording a second record as part of Minister Theory.


CHRIS CUCHETTI   (Drums, Vocals)

Chris was born in Detroit, Michigan, the second of ten children born to Lillian and Richard Cuchetti.  His mother is a trained opera singer and was a church organist and musical director for many years in the Diocese of Detroit.  His father is trained in classical music as well.  He played trumpet in the Detroit Symphony and was also an accomplished jazz trumpeter; playing on many of the Motown recordings, and even led his own big band orchestras.  Being from such a musical family it was only natural that Chris would follow suit.  He began his musical career at a very early age learning many different types of instruments.  He played in his school band and was even selected on a number of occasions to be part of the Detroit All-City Band.  At age nine, Chris' family formed a traveling musical family act named the "Conti Family".  Chris traveled and performed with his family throughout the country.  They performed at fairs, festivals, malls and major conventions.  Danny Thomas discovered the Conti Family brought them in to perform with him a number of times at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.  Soon the family became one of the most sought after acts in the country.  Chris took on most of the drumming duties in the family act.  The Conti Family stopped touring after sixteen fulfilling years.  Throughout his life, Chris' dream of doing an all original music project never left him.  Then in 2005 his dream became a reality when Chris along with his brother, sister and two friends formed Minister Theory.  They spent countless hours writing and rehearsing, never giving up hope that the Lord would lead them in the right direction.  In 2007, the Lord answered the group's prayers and allowed them to leave their day jobs and focus all of they're efforts on their music.  This blessing came in the form of a very close friend offering to financially support the group in a full on music project.  It was definitely a miracle and one that Chris and the rest of the group will always be grateful for.  As of now, Minister Theory is hard at work spreading positive messages and "real life" scenarios through their music.  Chris' main goal is to continue the Spirit of Christ's Love by playing positive music that will fulfill the hearts of many people all over the world.  Being a member of Minister Theory allows Chris to promote positive, family oriented values, and enables him to use the gift that God has given him to bring joy through music to all. It is this ideal that he makes his life mission.

TONY CUCHETTI   (Guitar, Vocals, Percussion)

Anthony "Tony" Cuchetti, was also born in Detroit, Michigan...as they say in the music business, "in a suitcase".  His mother literally took him from the hospital to the family's touring bus and onto the next performance.  It was at these performances, while sleeping in a cradle next to his mother on stage, that he most definitely began his love for music.  Since that time Anthony has loved and cherished all aspects of music.  Throughout elementary school Anthony was active in many school musicals, and was even a part of the church music ministry.  Anthony also got to "sit in" with his father and older brothers at some of their night club gigs in town absorbing much jazz, blues, and many other musical styles.  Anthony continued his musical endeavors while attending Mount Saint Mary's College in Maryland and Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL, where he graduated with a degree in graphic design.  Anthony also was a pitcher for the school's baseball team and even went on to play two seasons in the minor leagues before leaving the game in 2001.  Anthony began pursuing his music with great vigor and continues to do so to this day.  Minister Theory is Anthony's latest project and he is grateful that he has the opportunity to play music with his family and friends.  Anthony's life has been filled with many great experiences and adventures, but his ultimate thrill comes from the fact that he can do what he loves every single day, and that is to spread the word of Christ's Love through music.

 

JAIME HOLLIS   (Saxophone)

 

Jaime Hollis knew at an early age, eight to be exact, that he wanted to play the saxophone.  Born in Kennesaw, Georgia, Jaime moved to Deland, FL, when he was young.  When he began school his mother noticed his interest in saxophone and helped him to pursue his talent.  Since then Jaime has flourished into one of the finest sax players around.  His versatility is boundless and his love for all types of music definitely adds to the wide range of styles he is capable of playing.  Jaime has played professionally for most of his adult life as a member of various Country, R&B, Soul, Rock, Jazz and Gospel groups.  He has also been very active in his church spreading God's word through his music. He volunteers at many church and charity events.  Currently Jaime has a booking agency that keeps him occupied when he's not playing with Minister Theory.  His agency books quality entertainment for nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the southern region of the United States.  Jaime met Tony Cuchetti, (Minister Theory guitarist) in 2000 while they were working together in a local print shop.  Jaime soon joined Tony's original rock band, Casual Folklor, and the rest is history. They have been playing music together ever since then in some facet.  Jaime co-founded and is an active member of Minister Theory. He hopes to continue to make great music with the group and touch the hearts of as many people as he can, in a positive way.

TOBI DRENTWETT   (Bass, Keyboard)

 

Tobias Drentwett, or Tobi for short, is a multi talented showman.  Proficient on the piano, drums, various percussion instruments and guitar, Tobi never ceases to impress.  Besides being a multifaceted musician, Tobi is also an accomplished actor performing in a variety of musical theater plays, and variety shows. He brings to any form of entertainment, a solid foundation of groove, complimented by a colorful veneer of ideas and sounds.  Born in Kelheim, Germany, and later moving on to Munich, Tobi learned at an early age, of his love for Be-Bop, and soul music.  His talents were honed in his school plays and choirs and his extensive training at Hamburg and Cologne Music Colleges.  He spent many years gigging with a multitude of musicians throughout Germany and Brazil.  It was in these formative years that Tobi became proficient in jazz, Latin, funk, groove, and even learned to speak five different languages.  In 2004, Tobi became a permanent Orlando, FL, resident and continues to play with local acts and stage shows.  Minister Theory is Tobi's latest endeavor and has proven thus far to produce some great musical chemistry.


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