Steve Pence is a frequent soloist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, having recently appeared with them in Bach’s Magnificat, St. John Passion, St. Matthew Passion, and Handel’s Messiah. He has also performed solos in Bach’s B-Minor Mass with the Los Angeles Chamber Choir, in Elijahwith the Lark Society, and in Brahms’ Requiem with the Orange County Choral Society. Steve has performed several opera roles, including Alonzo in Hoiby’s The Tempest with USC Thornton Opera and Figaro in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with Pacific Repertory Opera. He lives in Long Beach with his wife and son.
Jason FranciscoTenor Jason Francisco sings professionally with Los Angeles Opera and San Diego Opera. He has also soloed with Pacific Chorale, the John Alexander Singers, Pacific Symphony and the Corona Del Mar Baroque Orchestra.
Jason has appeared and/or toured with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under John Mauceri and John Williams, the Boston Pops Orchestra under Keith Lockhart, Musica Angelica under Martin Haselbock, the Munich Symphony under Ludwig Wicki, and Andrea Bocelli. Jason is also featured as vocal soloist in Roger Bellon’s soundtrack of the film 186 Dollars to Freedom.
Michael LyncheAmerican Idol Michael Lynche is a new breed of soul singer with completely classic influences. Traces of Donny Hathaway, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke and James Brown all seem to flash in this uniquely talented performer. Undeniable charisma, well-crafted song arrangements and a voice soaked in soul give the big man class all his own. “Big Mike”—as he was known while winning over the hearts of a nation during his stint on American Idol—has talent so versatile, he’s played intimate jazz & blues clubs, 20,000 seat arenas and opera halls with 100 piece orchestras backing him. Through it all “Big Mike” has always had one singular goal: to spread a message of love wherever he goes.
A New York City resident for the last 15+ years, this Florida native rose from obscurity as a finalist on season 9 of the hit phenomenon, American Idol. After wowing millions of fans on American Idol with his comforting and powerful voice and performing throughout the United States as part of the American Idol LIVE! Tour, Big Mike has released 2 studio albums, toured as an opening act for Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Faith Evans, and Lyfe Jennings and toured the world with his honest storytelling brand of soul music.
Since 2012, Big Mike has been a frequent featured guest vocalist with Maestro Jeff Tyzik and his hit show — “Let’s Dance!”. With the perfect repertoire to showcase his dynamic song range, “Let’s Dance!” has been performed with orchestras all over the US and Canada, including the Dallas Symphony, Utah Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and many many more.
Tyzik has been an incredible mentor for Michael over the years, recognizing a passion and drive in the big man that has made his own career successful. The two have spent the last years collaborating on new, sensational soul inspired Pops concerts including “R&B Legends”, “Kings of Soul” and “Dancing in the Street – The Music of Motown”.
“Big Mike” brings an inspirational story and a searing, soulful, one-of-a-kind voice. He leaves you breathless and wanting more when the night is over. This extraordinary vocal talent seamlessly fuses classic R&B, thoroughly modern urban grooves, and swoon-worthy vintage soul into a fresh, unique sound. Big, yes—and beautiful, too; Michael Lynche makes music that’s unforgettable.
Rebecca Covington WebberRebecca Covington Webber was most recently seen in the Broadway production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical where she played the role of Janelle Woods. She was also seen on Broadway in Motown the Musical where she portrayed Gwen Gordy, Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes, Gladys Horton of The Marvalettes and many others! Rebecca was also a part of the International and National tours of: Beautiful the Carole King Musical; Mamma Mia; Ain’t Misbehavin; Motown the Musical as well as Thorougly Modern Millie.
As a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, she has also played some of her favorite roles in regional theaters across the U.S. including Nehebka in AIDA, Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, Brenda in Smokey Joe’s Café and Charlayne in Ain’t Misbehavin. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Music from Belmont University in Tennessee and she now lives with her French Bulldog, Ella Frenchgerald and her husband, Donald Webber, Jr.!
Emily DrennanEmily Drennan was most recently seen in the New York Spectacular starring The Rockettes this past summer at Radio City Music Hall after playing Tanya in Mamma Mia! in the Caribbean and Europe. She was also recently seen as a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the John F. Kennedy Center and as Mezzo in Voca People Off-Broadway and its Dubai, Israel and Japan tours. With Voca People, she was also seen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The MDA Telethon and as a special guest with Sting. She has also been a guest on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice singing along side Cyndi Lauper. Emily has been the guest soloist with numerous symphonies including: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (u/s both Ann & Liz Callaway); Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with Sandi Patty; OKC Philharmonic; Winston-Salem Symphony; Hendersonville Symphony; Tulsa Signature Symphony; Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Muncie Symphony.
In New York, she has been seen on Broadway and Off-Broadway in the 75th Radio City Christmas Spectacular for which she was a soloist and also featured in the NBC and PBS Specials and Anniversary DVD; Toxic Audio which won The Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Love. She was also in the Las Vegas company of Toxic Audio at Planet Hollywood and The Luxor Resort and Casino. Some of her favorite roles include: the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Ann in Swing!; Amneris in AIDA; Sheila in Hair; Pattie in Smokey Joe’s Café; and Lily in Frog Kiss.
Originally from Oklahoma, Emily was a National Presidential Scholar in the Arts saluted at the White House and was a guest soloist at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Emily is a published ASCAP lyricist, composer, studio singer and recording artist for TV, Film and distribution with 2 Degrees (Economics, Spanish) and 4 minors (Finance, Marketing, International Business and Latin American Studies), summa cum laude, from Oklahoma State University. While there, she was named the Outstanding Senior in Business, Outstanding Senior in Economics and Outstanding Overall Senior and was recently named an OSU Hall of Fame Outstanding Young Alumni. Additionally, she is a music producer for various albums, projects and symphony shows and she can be heard on many TV toy commercials and her double-disc debut album, Two-Way Street, as well as her Mother/Daughter album, A Mother Daughter Christmas, which are both available on iTunes and on her official website.
Shayna SteeleThere’s no need to sugar coat it since her impressive credits speak for themselves. Her colleagues praise her ability, her dedication and drive to perfecting her craft as a professional singer and knockout performer. With a voice that the London Jazz News says “unleashes enough voltage to light up the West End”, Shayna Steele has made her mark as an in-demand vocalist in the studio and on the stage.
At the age of 15, Broadway (Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray) and international vocalist Shayna Steele’s appearance on Ed McMahon’s Star Search was her first experience performing in front of a nationally televised audience. After losing by a 1/2 star, Shayna returned to her hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi to finish high school and pursue a music degree before exposing herself to the cutthroat “reality” of the business. “I was embarrassed and defeated. I wanted nothing more than to go home and crawl in a hole.”
A completely unexpected call in 2005 would drop her squarely in the middle of a genre she had absolutely no experience with: Electronica. Hearing that Moby “needed a screamer” for a track off his new album Hotel, a mutual friend recommended Steele, resulting in the disc’s second single “Raining Again”. Two years later, she was back, laying down vocals for “Extreme Ways (2007)” – Moby’s theme song to The Bourne Ultimatum, The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne – and in early 2008, “Disco Lies“, the first single off of Moby’s 2008 release Last Night. The song reached #1 on the US Billboard Dance charts and went on to be featured in J.J. Abram’s summer blockbuster Cloverfield and the movie The Backup Plan starring Jennifer Lopez. Her voice has remained highly in demand with vocals on Hairspray (movie soundtrack), Sex and the City 2, NBC’s Smash, 2008 Summer Olympic highlights on BBC and the 2021 release of In the Heights (Motion Picture Soundtrack). Shayna has made television guest appearances on HBO’s The Sopranos and she reprised her Broadway role with the “Dynamites” in NBC’s Hairspray Live.
After spending 8 years as a Broadway ensemble member in shows such as Rent and Hairspray and 6 years in the background supporting artists like Bette Midler, Rihanna, and Kelly Clarkson, Shayna stepped out on her own with the release of her 3rd studio album Watch Me Fly following the huge success of her album Rise (Ropeadope Records) in 2015 which reached #3 on the U.S. iTunes jazz charts. Her self-penned song “Gone Under” from that same album was personally selected by Michael League of Snarky Puppy to be arranged for their Family Dinner, Volume 1(Ropeadope Records). The song and Shayna’s performance was the first single to be released on the Grammy Award-winning band’s album, which has now reached over 1.8 million views on YouTube to date.
Shayna has appeared as a soloist and guest artist with over 40 symphony orchestras throughout North America. Her most recent solo concert Nothin’ But the Blues, written and conducted by Maestro Jeff Tyzik, is one of many highlights in her symphonic solo career. A Portland Press review of Shayna’s performance with the Portland Symphony Orchestra (Portland, ME) said her “…blues program ranked among the PSO’s best.” – Steve Feeney (May 24, 2021)
Shayna recently returned to school 25 years later to finish what she started. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Music Studies at Berklee College of Music where she is currently on the Dean’s List. She continues to tour all over the world with her band playing her original music, is a regular guest artist with Grammy-award winning trumpeter Chris Botti and is recording her 3rd studio album, set for release in Spring of 2022.
David BurnhamDavid Burnham is now on the West Coast filming a new reality television show between his concert performances throughout North America. Your audience will remember David who played Fiyero in the Broadway production of Wicked for three years, and created the role in the original Los Angeles workshop and productions.
David was a member of the original Broadway cast of the 6-time Tony Award winning musical The Light in the Piazza, performing on both the Tony Awards on CBS and was featured on the PBS telecast Live From Lincoln Center.
David tours with five thrilling theatrical concert events including Mostly Broadway, Broadway Love Songs, Holiday shows and more! On film, David was the voice of the Prince in the Warner Bros. animated feature The King & I, and can also be heard as “Willy” in Disney’s Home On The Range. Recordings include the soundtracks to Ghepetto, The King & I, and Home on the Range. Also, the recordings Strouse, Schwartz, & Schwartz and Lerner, Loewe, and Lane. His voice was also recently featured on South Park.
David was the 2007 recipient of the prestigious “Helen Hayes Award” for best actor as well as the 2007 best actor “Garland Award” for his portrayal of Fabrizio Nacarelli in the national tour of The Light In The Piazza.
David first gained critical acclaim when, after a two-year search, he was chosen to replace Donny Osmond in the national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dramalogue Award) a role which he has subsequently played four more times in productions all over the country.
At Boston’s North Shore Music Theatre, he created the role of Tom in the new musical Tom Jones as well as the role of Billy (opposite Maureen McGovern) in the new musical Letters from ‘Nam, a role which he reprised at The Kennedy Center and Seattle’s Village Theatre. In Chicago, he originated the role of Charlie in the world premiere of Peggy Sue Got Married, after touring the country as Peter in the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar (opposite Ted Neeley).
Other stage productions include the Los Angeles premiere of The Road Theatre production of The Woman In Black (the Actor) directed by Ken Sawyer, Assassins (John Hinckley) at Reprise – with members of the original Broadway cast, Children of Eden (Caine – Robby Award) at Musical Theatre West, Godspell (Jesus) at the St. Louis MUNY, and Pirates of Penzance (Fredrick) at The Sacramento Music Circus.
Susan EganSusan Egan has traversed all four corners of the entertainment industry, making powerful impressions in theatre, film, television and music. She was last seen on Broadway in the title role of Thoroughly Modern Millie; she won critical acclaim as Broadway’s (longest-running) “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret; originated the starring roles in Triumph of Love and State Fair; and most notably, received both Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations for “Best Actress” as Broadway’s original “Belle” in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Among her regional credits, Egan starred alongside Carol Burnett in Sondheim’s Putting It Together, Tommy Tune in the national tour of Bye, Bye Birdie, reprised her role of “Belle” for the Los Angeles premiere of Beauty and the Beast, and developed works at Yale Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, South Coast Rep, and the Mark Taper Forum.
Susan’s film credits include 13 Going on 30, Gotta Kick It Up for the Disney Channel, and many award-winning independent films such as: Meet Market (Sarasota Film Festival), Death and Texas (Seattle Film Festival and Slamdance Film Festival), The Almost Guys (HBO Comedy Festival), The Disappearing Girl Trick, Falling. In Love, Extreme Close Up, and Man of the Century (Audience Award, Slamdance).
In animation, Egan gave the sultry voice to ‘Meg’ in Disney’s Hercules, sang the role of ‘Angel’ in Lady and the Tramp II, translated two Japanese blockbusters into English for famed animation director Hayao Miyazaki: ‘Gina’ in Porco Rosso, and ‘Lin’ in Spirited Away, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. She spent 6 years as the voice of ‘Belle’ for myriad Disney Princess CDs and toys, and most recently voiced the character of ‘Ginny’ in Achmed Saves America, starring comic Jeff Dunham, and currently recurs as ‘Rose Quartz’ on Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe.
On television, Egan spent two seasons on the WB’s Nikki, and has guest-starred on House, Numb3rs, NYPD Blue, Arliss, Party of Five, Drew Carey, Almost Perfect, Partners, All My Children, Loving, and Great Performances: Rodgers and Hart, as well as pilots, movies of the week and specials for ABC, CBS, and the Disney Channel.
As a solo artist, Susan has taken her critically-acclaimed, concert to over 400 cities coast to coast and on the high seas with the Disney Cruise Line. She has headlined with over 50 world-renowned symphonies, including the Long Beach Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, the Philly Pops, and others, taking the concert stage at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl just to name a few.
Egan is a Southern California native and attended the Orange County School of the Arts and UCLA, where she received a Carol Burnett Award in Musical Theatre. In 2002-2003, she devoted a year away from her career to assume the position of interim Artistic Director of the Orange County School of the Arts, and now splits her time as concert performer, master teacher in music performance, obsessive gardener, happy wife, and leader to her daughters’ two Girl Scout troops. www.SusanEgan.net, @IAmSusanEgan, Facebook.com/OfficialSusanEgan.
Byron StriplingWith a contagious smile and captivating charm, trumpet virtuoso, Byron Stripling, has ignited audiences internationally. As soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being featured soloist on the PBS television special, Evening at Pops, with conductors John Williams and Mr. Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and Conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and Dallas Symphony, to name a few. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at jazz festivals throughout the world.
An accomplished actor and singer, Mr. Stripling was chosen, following a worldwide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical, Satchmo. Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of From Second Avenue to Broadway. Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The GRAMMY Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including 20/20, CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies.
Mr. Stripling earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band. Mr. Stripling enjoys conducting seminars and master classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages. Mr. Stripling was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to periodically return to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.
A resident of Ohio, Mr. Stripling lives in the country with his wife, former dancer, writer and poet, Alexis and their two beautiful daughters.
Ted Louis LevyTed Louis Levy made his Broadway debut in the smash hit Black & Blue. He collaborated with George C. Wolfe and Gregory Hines on the choreography of Jelly’s Last Jam, for which he received a Tony Nomination, Drama Desk Nomination, and the 1993 Outer Critics Circle Award. Levy was awarded an Emmy Award for his television debut performance in the PBS Special Precious Memories and appeared in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X for his film debut. His production of Ted Levy and Friends, directed by Gregory Hines, celebrated Levy as one of America’s premier tap dance artists. Influenced by Hines, Levy acquired his directorial debut as director of Savion Glover’s Dancing Under The Stars at the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Delacorte Theater. He also assisted in the choreography of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning Hit Bring In ‘Da Noise! Bring In ‘Da Funk! Levy appeared in the movie Bojangles with Gregory Hines, returning to Broadway as Papa Jack in Susan Stroman and Harry Connick Jr.’s Thou Shalt Not, and as The Mikado in The Ford Theater’s production of The Hot Mikado, for which he won a Helen Hayes Award.