Guest Artists

 

Rajaton, vocalists

Rajaton is the world renowned Finnish a capella ensemble founded in Helsinki in 1997. The group’s name, meaning “boundless,” is a perfect fit for this group of six who, as their name states, knows no bounds. They are a bona fide pop phenomenon, successfully bridging the gap that often exists between classical and mainstream convention on the world stage. While Rajaton performs primarily in Finland, they have toured 25 other countries as well. They have released 12 albums since 2000, eight of them reaching gold record status, one reaching platinum (Rajaton Sings ABBA with Lahti Symphony Orchestra), and their most successful reaching double platinum (Jouluyo). Both their talent and accomplishments make them a phenomenon on the world stage.

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Rob Evan, vocalist

Not only is Rob Evan a member of the platinum-selling rock band, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but he has also starred in the original Broadway cast of Jekyll & Hyde playing the title roles for three years and more than 600 performances. He also played the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, leading the critically acclaimed National Touring Company to its history-making stop on Broadway. Mr. Evan also starred as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S., in Little Shop of Horrors with Joey Fatone, and appeared on ABC's All My Children. He created the 2009 theatrical fusion concert The Rock Tenor, which debuted to rave reviews at Philadelphia's Wilma Theater. Evan has also been a featured soloist for many leading symphonies across the nation, and regularly stars in the production of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. He is a 1989 recipient of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Talent Award and was awarded the 1999 “Shining Star” award by the Leukemia Society of America.

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Shem von Schroeck, vocalist & guitar

Shem von Schroeck has been entertaining audiences since he was 3-years-old. A veteran of the stage and recording studio, he has performed in all 50 states and 37 countries as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and music director in a diverse range of genres. He has toured with some of pop music's most recognizable names, including Kenny Loggins, Marie Osmond, Tom Jones, Loggins & Messina, Christopher Cross, Don Felder (The Eagles), Steve Perry, Richard Marx, Ambrosia, and many others. He made his professional opera debut singing with the Mittelsächsisches Theatre in Freiberg, Germany as Spoletta in Puccini's Tosca. His operatic repertoire includes Parsifal, Siegmund, Florestan, Peter Grimes, and Canio. He is a regular tenor soloist with the Philly Pops, The Atlanta Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, and The Jacksonville Symphony. He has also conducted several pops concerts with The Columbus Symphony, The Oklahoma Symphony, The Dallas Symphony, The Little Rock Symphony, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and The Boston Pops Orchestra. He currently resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife, Tamra.

Tony DeSare, vocalist & piano

Tony DeSare performs with infectious joy, wry playfulness and robust musicality. Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare has lived up to this distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas headlining with Don Rickles and major symphony orchestras, DeSare has brought his fresh take on old school class around the globe. DeSare has three top ten Billboard jazz albums under his belt and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, the Today Show and his music has been posted by social media celebrity juggernaut, George Takei.
  

Alli Mauzey, vocalist

Alli Mauzey last appeared on Broadway as Glinda in the 10th Anniversary Company of Wicked, a role she also performed to critical acclaim on the First National Tour and the San Francisco company. Other Broadway credits include Lenora in the musical Cry-Baby, for which she won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Drama League Award, and Brenda in Hairspray (both on Broadway and in the original company of the First National Tour). Alli also originated the role of Lenora in the PreBroadway production of Cry-Baby at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego (Theatre Critics Circle Award). Alli made her New York City Center Encores! debut in the role of Sydney in It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman and recently starred in the Off-Broadway production of Red Eye of Love. Regionally, She has appeared as Mallory in City of Angels for Reprise!, Snookie in 110 in the Shade at the Pasadena Playhouse, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at The Muny for which she was nominated for a Kevin Kline Award.

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Allison Blackwell, vocalist

Allison is thrilled to be back singing in her hometown. Raised in the suburbs of Wyndmoor, outside Philadelphia, she attended Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A versatile range from opera to gospel, she was last seen with the Philly POPS this past winter in The Carole King Songbook with Liz Callaway and Bryce Ryness. She made her Broadway debut in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier. For her second Broadway show, as Aretha Franklin in A Night with Janis Joplin, USA TODAY wrote: “Allison Blackwell, who veers from a stunning operatic reading of Summertime to a shivery, booming impersonation of Aretha Franklin.” She recently finished a successful run in The Lion King on Broadway. Allison has performed across the nation with various symphonies and has been seen in two Live from Lincoln Center productions: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson (2015 Emmy Award Outstanding Special Class Program) and Show Boat starring Vanessa Williams. Proud graduate of Spelman College (B.A) and The Boston Conservatory (M.M).