Artists

John Morris Russell

John Morris Russell, Pops Conductor, Louise Dieterle Nippert & Louis Nippert Chair

John Morris Russell, A.K.A. "JMR," has consistently won international praise for his extraordinary music-making and visionary leadership. This Ohio native is also Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina where his commitment has yielded a new level of artistic excellence. He has also served as the Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic since 2015. A popular guest conductor throughout the United States and Canada, he also holds the title of Conductor Laureate with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in Ontario, Canada, where he served as Music Director for eleven years.

With the Cincinnati Pops, JMR regularly leads sold-out performances at Cincinnati’s Music Hall. Additionally, he conducts the Pops at the Riverbend Music Center and in concerts throughout the Greater Cincinnati region and on tour.

JMR has collaborated with generations of great performers including the late Ray Charles and Rosemary Clooney, as well as Idina Menzel, Vince Gill, Branford Marsalis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Megan Hilty, Common, Cynthia Erivo, Amy Grant, Brian Wilson, Steve Martin, Katharine McPhee, Rhiannon Giddens, Rosanne Cash and Marvin Winans, among many others.

A sought-after guest conductor across the continent, John has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Other recent engagements include the New York Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, among many other ensembles.

Annie Moses Band

ANNIE MOSES BAND

The music of the Annie Moses Band a unique Americana sound: barnburner fiddling meets world-class arranging; iconic songs from the canon of heartland folk infused with classical finesse. It is all a part of their Nashville-raised and New York trained sound.

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Chris Kenney

CHRIS KENNEY, baritone

American baritone Chris Kenney, whose voice was called “lush” by Broadway World, is in his second and final year as a member of the Ryan Opera Center ensemble at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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