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.

Monthly Educational Programming

Join us the third Wednesday of each month for free 30 minute shows for children grades K-5. This month, we will be streaming our Spring 2024 Kids Tour of "The Pied Piper!" This 45 minute mini-musical (filmed at Elementary Schools in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia) features Broadway and TV actors, singers, and dancers alongside the orchestra with musical participation opportunities for children K-5!

NextGen National 2023-2024

Finding the Voices of Tomorrow is a vocal competition created by the American Pops Orchestra that gives collegiate vocalists the opportunity to learn from industry professionals while competing for a chance to win scholarship money and paid performance opportunities with APO.

  • 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)

APO 360: Connecting with audiences, celebrating music, and building community

Interested in learning more about The American Pops Orchestra? Check out the links below to follow on social media and stay up to date!

The American Pops Orchestra held a one-night only concert: BROADWAY’S LEADING MEN: A Musical Celebration.

  • 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)

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 is premiering on PBS November 28th at 8:00 PM EST (check your local listings)

Broadway's Brightest Lights

APO's newest star-studded concert for PBS premiered August 13th and is available to watch on PBS Passport 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.

  • 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)

Fall 2023 Children's Outreach Tour

Our Children's Outreach Tour had unprecedented support this fall and we are so happy to be able to continue bringing high quality children's programming to schools across the country. Thank you to Nic Rouleau, Hilary Morrow, Chris Richie, and Audri Bartholomew for their beautiful performances, and thank you to ArtsBridge for helping us reach the wonderful schools we visited.

Summer Groovefest

CityCenterDC and APO presented a 3-part concert series entitled“Summer Groovefest with The American Pops Orchestra”. Each concert featured a unique musical theme (Motown, 90’s Divas, and Disco) and highlighted the talents of local and nationally acclaimed performers.Curated and conducted by Luke Frazier, this series had audiences on their feet, grooving to the hits of each musical era! We hope to see you next summer.

  • 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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