Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

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.

Dominic is currently performing on Broadway in Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale - The Musical, directed by Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks. As an Original Cast member of A Bronx Tale, Motown: The Musical (Grammy nominated) and Jersey Boys (Grammy Award for Best Cast Album), he can be heard on all three soundtracks. Dominic also performed in the World Premiere productions of A Bronx Tale and Jersey Boys at the Paper Mill Playhouse and the La Jolla Playhouse, respectively. Dom was born and raised in San Francisco where he studied youth acting at ACT and performed annually in their production of A Christmas Carol. He studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory, and attended the Boston Conservatory on scholarship where he graduated with a BFA in Theater. Upon graduation Dominic joined the European production of Grease. It was there that he met his future wife Sonia Iannetti; they have a daughter Vivienne.

Charl originated the role of Smokey Robinson in Motown: The Musical, garnering a nomination for a 2013 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical on Broadway. He is also featured on the Motown Grammy Nominated Original Broadway Cast recording, and recently returned from 6 months in London’s West End reprising his Smokey Robinson role. In 2014 Charl worked with legendary composer Steven Schwartz playing the role of Adam/Noah in Children of Eden at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.. Other credits include Jersey Boys on Broadway and Las Vegas, Sister Acton Broadway, Hair in Europe, Ever After, Johnny Baseball, Dreamgirls, Six Degrees of Separation, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line, and Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Charl has also appeared on television on Madam Secretary, Britain's Got Talent, America's Got Talent, Macy's 85th & 87th Thanksgiving Parade, 63rd Annual Tony Awards, and A Capitol 4th. He is a proud Graduate of the University of Southern California School of Theater.

Standing five-foot-six with a tenor voice and falsetto range, Fischer landed the role of Joe Pesci in the Broadway company of Jersey Boys on his 22nd birthday, marking his Broadway debut. He spent the next six years as an understudy for the role of Frankie Valli as well. Fischer starred in the second national tour of Big: The Musical as Billy Kopecki. His regional credits include Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tommy Djilas in The Music Man at Chautauqua Opera, the American premiere of Children of Eden at Papermill Playhouse, and Tommy Swank in Baby Fat, Act 1: A Rock Opera based on Verdi’s Rigoletto at LaMama Experimental Theater Club in Manhattan. On television Fischer has appeared on the live broadcast of the 2015 Belmont Stakes, the 2009 Tony Awards, and several spots for TV Land’s 60 Second Sitcoms. He is truly grateful for the opportunity to tour with this group, sharing this music with audiences around the world.

John Michael Dias recently appeared on Broadway as Neil Sedaka in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. He originated the same role for the Beautiful First National Tour.

Originally from Tiverton, RI, Dias earned a BFA in musical theatre from Boston Conservatory. John gained a nationwide following starring as Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons in the smash hit Jersey Boys, playing the role on Broadway, as well as in the First National Tour, Vegas, and Chicago companies.

Concerts: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: Neil Sedaka's Greatest Hits! And Get Happy (a celebration of songs made famous by Judy Garland) With friend/collaborator Jacqueline Carnahan.

Johns’ solo album, Write This Way, which features intimate takes on Broadway and pop favorites like “Can’t Take My Eyes off of You” and “New York State of Mind” is available on iTunes.

Currently Sonny is the Music Supervisor for the Broadway Musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, as well as Music Director for the upcoming Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Café. Sonny’s recent credits include: Associate Conductor, The Last Ship (written by 16 time Grammy Award winner, Sting), and the Tony-winning revival of Pippin. Other Broadway credits include, Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot, Grease, Priscilla - Queen of the Desert,Guys and Dolls, Mama Mia, Promises, Promises, Addams Family, and Women on the Verge. Sonny was the Music Supervisor for Disney’s High School Musical Italian tour and his national tour credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Grease. His arrangements and orchestrations have been performed by the The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and he has worked with the likes of Alicia Keys, Ke$ha, and Matthew Morrison. Sonny’s work for television has been featured on The X-Factor Australia and The Next Big Thing.He earned his B.F.A. in Jazz Piano from CUNY City College, New York.