The American Pops Orchestra
the american pops orchestra
CityCenterDC Summer Groovefest
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Who's it Gonna to Be?
Name That Tune: Trivia with APO
Live on Facebook every Tuesday at 7:00 PM EDT
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Who's it Gonna to Be?

The American Pops Orchestra

Founded in 2015 by Maestro Luke Frazier, The American Pops Orchestra (APO) is dedicated to bringing American popular music to diverse new audiences in dynamic ways.

The Ugly Duckling

Join us Monday, September 25th for a 30 minute mini-musical adaptation of The Ugly Duckling from our APO Storybook Series! Children will have the opportunity to interact with actors in real-time before and after the show, asking questions and engaging with other classrooms from around the country.

The week before the show, teachers will receive a link to view the show, along free packet of supplementary resources that includes themed coloring sheets, activities, and comprehension worksheets of varying levels.

  • Sarah Cassidy (Indiana University)
  • Jayna Glynn (Missouri State)
  • Mya Hunter (Howard University)
  • Hannah Kulawiak (Indiana University)
  • David Mejia (Texas Christian University)
  • Chris Richie (Oklahoma City University)
  • TJ Staten (Webster University)
  • Yumeko Stern (New York University)
  • Anthony Voiers (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
  • Sam Yousuf (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music)
  • Christian Clausnitzer - Alternate (West Virginia University)
  • Jordyn Taylor - Alternate (Howard University)

Broadway's Brightest Lights

APO's newest star-studded concert for PBS will be premiering August 13th at 7:30 PM (check your local listings). Join us for a special viewing party August  9th, featuring a Q&A with Luke Frazier after the premiere. Get your tickets now!

Curated and conducted by Luke Frazier, this show features brand-new arrangements performed by The American Pops Orchestra. Broadway star Megan Hilty (NBC’s Smash, Wicked, Annie Live!) is joined by Michael Maliakel (Disney’s Aladdin, The Phantom of the Opera, Monsoon Wedding), Nikki Renée Daniels (Company, Hamilton), and Tommy Sutter (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, White Christmas) to perform Golden Age classics to today’s Broadway hits.

How Great Thou Art: A Sacred Celebration

Join us for an evening of sacred music, with Patti LaBelle, Kristin Chenoweth, Sandi Patty, Will Liverman, & more. This 90-minute concert will be filmed live, with audience shots and reactions being featured in the final TV broadcast!

  • Sarah Cassidy (Indiana University)
  • Jayna Glynn (Missouri State)
  • Mya Hunter (Howard University)
  • Hannah Kulawiak (Indiana University)
  • David Mejia (Texas Christian University)
  • Chris Richie (Oklahoma City University)
  • TJ Staten (Webster University)
  • Yumeko Stern (New York University)
  • Anthony Voiers (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
  • Sam Yousuf (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music)
  • Christian Clausnitzer - Alternate (West Virginia University)
  • Jordyn Taylor - Alternate (Howard University)

Summer Groovefest

CityCenterDC and APO will present a 3-part concert series entitled“Summer Groovefest with The American Pops Orchestra”. Each concertwill feature a unique musical theme (Motown, 90’s Divas, and Disco) andhighlight the talents of local and nationally acclaimed performers.Curated and conducted by Luke Frazier, this series will have audiences ontheir feet, grooving to the hits of each musical era!

All For You

On April 12th, APO returned to 54 Below with Two-time Tony® Award nominee Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!, Big Fish, Finian’s Rainbow) and Broadway and television star Aaron Lazar (The Light in the Piazza, Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” The Last Ship) in their smash hit show All For You.

  • Sarah Cassidy (Indiana University)
  • Jayna Glynn (Missouri State)
  • Mya Hunter (Howard University)
  • Hannah Kulawiak (Indiana University)
  • David Mejia (Texas Christian University)
  • Chris Richie (Oklahoma City University)
  • TJ Staten (Webster University)
  • Yumeko Stern (New York University)
  • Anthony Voiers (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
  • Sam Yousuf (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music)
  • Christian Clausnitzer - Alternate (West Virginia University)
  • Jordyn Taylor - Alternate (Howard University)

APOxPBS

Have you seen us on PBS? APO has presented national broadcasts featuring music that ranges from Broadway to Indigenous music, Classical to Sacred. Click below to learn about our PBS specials, all of which are available to stream with a subscription to PBS Passport.

Learn More

Congratulations to the 2023 NextGen National Winners!

  • Chip Hand Prize for Vocal Excellence: Chris Richie
  • 1st Place Female: Mya Hunter
  • 2nd Place Male: David Mejia
  • 2nd Place Female: Jayna Glynn

Upcoming Events

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Our Impact

From inspiring young artists from diverse backgrounds through our outreach programs to partnering with nonprofit organizations across the country, we are proud to build our APO family.

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