Broadway Soprano Lisa Vroman and the American Festival Pops Orchestra Present 'Broadway Lights'

Acclaimed soprano Lisa Vroman, who starred as Christine Daae in "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway, joins forces with Northern Virginia's own American Festival Pops Orchestra for a performance called “Broadway Lights” at on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 8 p.m. 

Vroman reunites with AFPO's founder and artistic director, Anthony Maiello, who taught her while she was a student at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, N.Y.

Known for its lively programming and repertoire, the AFPO treats audiences to a festive pops experience that pays homage to memorable American popular music that has been loved by generations. The orchestra presents Broadway hits, legendary film and television scores, light classics and patriotic anthems honoring our nation.This performance will feature selections from “Les Misérables,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Porgy and Bess,” “The Music Man” and other Broadway favorites. 

Maiello brought together this exciting ensemble of 60 talented musicians from across the Washington, D.C. area, composed of George Mason University faculty and musicians from United States military ensembles and regional orchestras. The AFPO is also proud to include a select group of talented young artists from George Mason University’s School of Music.

Presently the associate director of development and recruitment in Mason’s School of Music, Maiello makes professional appearances both nationally and abroad conducting music festivals, adjudicating ensembles and presenting clinics, lectures and workshops. He conducted musical activities for the Gold Medal Ceremonies at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.; served as musical director for Music Festivals International; was selected as president of International Association of Jazz Educators – N.Y. State Chapter; and is a guest clinician for Yamaha Corporation and Warner Bros. Publications. Maiello also has served as associate conductor of the McLean Orchestra, McLean, Va.; was appointed an honorary conductor of the United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C.; and was a participant in the National Conducting Institute with Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., to which he has lent his services as a cover conductor.

Vroman starred on Broadway as Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” and also garnered numerous Theater Critics Awards for the same role in the San Francisco production. Her body of work includes Rosabella in “The Most Happy Fella” opposite Paul Sorvino in the New York City Opera’s production; Lilli Vanessi in “Kiss Me, Kate” with Glimmerglass Opera; Lucy Brown in the American Conservatory Theater’s production of “The Threepenny Opera” with Bebe Neuwirth, Nancy Dussault and Anika Noni Rose; and Johanna in San Francisco Symphony’s Emmy Award-winning broadcast of “Sweeney Todd” in concert with Patti LuPone and George Hearn.

With a repertoire ranging from Stravinsky to Broadway, Vroman has been a frequent guest soloist with theater, opera companies and orchestras across the globe, including the San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, National, Florida, Santa Barbara, Hong Kong, Cleveland, Nashville, Pacific, Utah and Dallas symphony orchestras; the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart; and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops.

A recipient of a George London Competition Grant and a 1999 Minerva Award from Potsdam State University, Vroman received an undergraduate degree from the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam, and an M.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Vroman completed a weeklong residency in Mason's School of Music prior to the Saturday performance.

Tickets for AMERICAN FESTIVAL POPS ORCHESTRA are $23, $38, $46. Family Friendly: youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Pre-performance discussions are sponsored by the Friends of the Center for the Arts. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit cfa.gmu.edu. The Center for the Arts complex is located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Paid parking is located in the deck adjacent to the mainstage Concert Hall and FREE parking is located in university Lot K.  Visit cfa.gmu.edu.