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With a contagious smile and captivating charm, the conductor, trumpet virtuoso, singer and actor Byron Stripling has ignited audiences across the globe. Recently named Principal Pops conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, his baton has led orchestras throughout the United States and Canada. 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, Byron Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with over 100 orchestras around the world including the Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and orchestras throughout Europe and Asia. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at festivals around the world.

An accomplished actor and singer, Byron 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. In addition to multiple recordings with his quintet, work with artists from Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston, his prolific recording career includes hundreds of albums with the greatest pop, Broadway, soul and jazz artists of all time.

Byron 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.

Byron Stripling is devoted to giving back and supports several philanthropic organizations including The United Way and Homelessness advocate and The Community Shelter Board. He also enjoys sharing the power of music through 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. 

Byron 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 return, periodically, to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.

A resident of Ohio, Stripling lives in the country with his wife Alexis, a former dancer, writer and poet and their beautiful daughters.

Crystal Monee Hall’s varied career as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and actress has included roles on Broadway (“RENT”), sold out tours with acclaimed musicians Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead) and Dave Schools (Widespread Panic), being a featured vocalist on Saturday Night Live and also a guest appearance on the HBO comedy-drama High Maintenance. She has released three albums (one solo as well as two with Hart) with work from her most recent EP "If You Breathe" called 'riveting' by Billboard Magazine. Her newest release seamlessly blends Hall’s love for world, blues, jazz, soul and contemporary R&B, showcasing her talent as a songwriter, while highlighting a voice that has captivated audiences worldwide. 

Currently, Crystal is a featured vocalist on Broadway Superstar Kristin Chenoweth’s “For The Girls” concerts at Broadway’s Nederlander Theater. In addition to being heavily featured, her songwriting comes front and center when Chenoweth performs her original tune “Reasons for Hope” co-written by the shows Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell.

Crystal continues to be a key part of high-profile music moments, including a feature with country superstar Thomas Rhett on Saturday Night Live in March 2019. Rolling Stone took notice of her standout performance of “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time,” noting it “put on display the superb, soulful talents of Crystal Monee Hall." He invited her out to to his sold out show at Madison Square Garden in September 2019 for an encore performance of the tune.

Crystal will be featured in Emmy, Tony and Grammy winning Ben Platt’s Netflix concert special filmed at Radio City Music Hall in September 2019. She also performed with him The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Good Morning America and for the run of his sold-out “Sing to Me Instead” Tour. 

Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award Winner Cynthia Erivo’s PBS special features Hall in the role of soprano during her knockout performance of “Ain’t No Way." She also joined Kesha as part of her powerful 2018 Grammy Awards performance in support of the #TimesUp movement,  provided supporting vocals for Mariah Carey's Christmas residency at New York's Beacon Theater, performed alongside Kanye West and Chance The Rapper during their debut performance of "Ultralight Beam" on SNL. Crystal provided backing vocals for Craig David's "All We Needed," the official song of the BBC's 2016 Children In Need campaign. 

With her career continuing to flourish, Hall looks forward to reaching new listeners with her message, music and voice. 

Kelly Levesque is a native New Yorker who began her career in the studio at the age of 3, with her musician-father recording her first notes.

Kelly has performed on leading international stages such as Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, The Kennedy Center, Budokan, Staples Center, The White House and Madison Square Garden with such artists as: Sting, Jamie Foxx, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Josh Groban, Michael Bolton, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, Chris Botti, Sheryl Crow, Toni Braxton, Brian McKnight, and many more. 

Kelly’s soaring vocal range, beautiful tone, and stunning stage presence have provided her with an international recording and performing profile since she signed her first major record deal. Kelly’s voice has been featured on numerous national television and radio commercial spots. Kelly has had 2 top 10 Billboard Classical Crossover Albums in the US and has been honored to perform for four US presidents, international royalty and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Brie Cassil is a singer and actor based out of NYC, and a proud member of Actors Equity. She is currently playing "Suzy" in the off broadway production of The Marvelous Wonderettes.

Cassil is most recognized as the resident Celine Dion with Marty Thomas Presents DIVA! During her time with DIVA she has had the privilege to perform with great talents, like Christine Dwyer (Wicked, Finding Neverland Tour), Michael Longoria (Jersey Boys), Ginna Claire Mason (Wicked, Newsies), Ruby Lewis (We Will Rock You, Paramour, Jersey Boys), Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray), and many more.

She's the lead singer of the rock band, REBEL.

Some of Cassil's favorite roles include: Mimi (RENT), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Blast (CHIX 6), and Little Sally (Urinetown).