Emmai Alaquiva of Ya Momz House, LLC, a full-service recording and production company located in Pittsburgh’s East Side, received a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for music composition and arrangement for the production of the soundtrack for WQED Multimedia’s eminent documentary; Fly Boys: Western Pennsylvania’s Tuskegee Airmen.

The program, hosted and produced by WQED's Chris Moore and co-produced by Olga George, covers the experience of the Tuskegee Airmen, a military initiative to see if African-American men were capable of flying complicated engines of war. It was a controversial experiment because at the time African-Americans were excluded from the Air Corps due to the belief that they lacked the intelligence and courage to fly into battle. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. More than 40 men from western Pennsylvania served as Tuskegee Airmen, and some of their stories are told in the gripping documentary.

Completed in three days at Ya Momz House in the frigid month of January, the soundtrack features the title track entitled, “Fly Boy Fly” performed by Richard Hutchins of Aliquippa; “I’ll Fly Away” and “Good News” performed by 19 year old sensation Bianca Atterberry and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” performed by Mt. Ararat’s minister of worship Trini Massie. In addition, the soundtrack features award winning, world renowned trumpeter Sean Jones as well as the protuberant musicianship of Howie Alexander- Keys, Colter Harper- Guitar, Jeremy McDonald- Upright Bass and Thomas Wendt - Drums. Technical Assitants; Cory Gale, Eric Smith, Shane Pilster and Beth Snyder.

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The award comes as great recognition for a long road of hard work and commitment. Alaquiva, Owner/Director of Creative Services, opened the doors to Ya Momz House, then a 300 sq. ft. studio, in 2001 after countless years of personal struggle while working as a doorman at the Shadow Lounge. Today, Ya Momz House, LLC is one of the Pittsburgh’s prominent recording & production faculties. Moreover, Alaquiva serves as Production Director for WAMO 106.7FM and Founder/Executive Director of an arts education program; The Hip Hop on L.O.C.K. Project for youth ages 13-18.

"My heart is filled with the deepest appreciation from every corner of my soul to have been surrounded by such talented musicians for this project. The upstanding leadership at WQED Multimedia (Chris Moore, Olga George, Minette Seate and Darryl Ford-Williams) in addition to the great individuals that are featured on the soundtrack are truly responsible for this blessing. I realized that this accolade is a direct result of great people making great music for a great cause. It was an honor to be elected to express reflective inspiration for the heroic actions of such prodigious men who hold an incalculable influence on American history. The sky is NOT the limit” Alaquiva said.

In addition to the Emmy Award, Alaquiva was honored in 2007 as Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40. Ya Momz House, LLC has received numerous awards including Telly, Davey and A.I.R. Awards for various projects nation wide. To celebrate the award, Ya Momz House, LLC will hold a benefit in October in which all proceeds will benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Fly Boys: Western Pennsylvania's Tuskegee Airmen was produced by WQED
and was made possible with major funding from the University of Pittsburgh.
Additional funding came from Alcoa Foundation and The Pittsburgh
Foundation.

Ya Momz House, LLC is located in East Liberty at 124 S. Highland Ave., Suite 206, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Some of Ya Momz House current clients include PBS, WQED, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Dr. Goddess, GetGO, Giant Eagle, The Darkins Group, Malik Yoba, Michael Blackson, Raheem Devaugn, Slum Village, HutchSimon Project, Nathan James, Vanessa German and more.

Some of the services provided at Ya Momz House 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.

*Photo Credits:
Emmai Alaquiva – Laura Petrilla Photography
Album Cover Art – Shane Pilster
Sean Jones – Courtesy of www.seanjonesmusic.com