WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT
A NEW POPS ORCHESTRA FOR NEW YORK CITY
TONIGHTS MEMBERS OF
MENU:
ABOUT POPS OF COLOR
Pops of Color is New York City’s first Pops orchestra composed entirely of musicians of color, celebrating diversity in Pops and orchestral music through performance of the music of artists of color.
Pops of Color seeks to build awareness of the immense contribution artists of color have made to popular music, and aims to balance the inequities musicians of color face in the orchestral world.
We raise awareness through the creation and presentation of the highest caliber musical concerts, and in tandem, focus on the development and execution of educational programming in NYC public schools as our baseline mandate - ensuring that students in New York City, and their respective networks, have access to concerts and musical content that reflects them and their communities.
MEET THE MAESTRO
SEAN MAYES
Based between New York & Toronto, Sean Mayes enjoys a varied career internationally as a conductor, music supervisor, orchestrator & composer between Broadway, theatre, opera, classical & Pops worlds.
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Mayes is the Artistic Director and Founder of Pops of Color, the new resident Pops orchestra of the historic Town Hall in New York City, which is composed entirely of musicians of color, focusing exclusively in repertoire that artists of color have contributed made to popular music.
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Additionally, Mayes is the Worldwide Music Supervisor of Disney’s THE LION KING, and Music Supervisor & Co-Orchestrator for ALI: The Musical, based on the life of Muhammad Ali, composed by conductor Teddy Abrams & rap icon Q-Tip. His new opera Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White, orchestrated and conducted by Mayes, made its World Premiere with the Canadian Opera Company in June 2024.
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Select credits include The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration (Conductor & Orchestrator, Chicago Philharmonic, Ravinia Festival); Black Broadway (Conductor; American Pops Orchestra, PBS National Broadcast); RENT: In Concert (Music Supervisor, National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center); MJ (Assistant Conductor; Broadway); Hadestown (Associate Conductor; Broadway); An Evening With André De Shields (Music Director & Orchestrator, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra); MANDELA (Conductor; Young Vic Theatre, London, UK); The Color Purple (Music Director, Canadian Premiere).
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Passionate about arts advocacy & education, Mayes is the author of three books: Reframing the Musical, Palgrave Macmillan, 2019; An Inconvenient Black History of British Musical Theatre, Bloomsbury, 2021; and Conversations in Color: Exploring North American Musical Theatre, Bloomsbury, 2023. When not on the move, Sean cherishes his time at home in Brooklyn with his love, Lori, and their curly bundle of dog, Bilbao. @maestromayes
GUEST ARRANGER
Alex de León
Alex is a songwriter and composer from Mexico City, specializing in arrangements and orchestrations that blend contemporary and theatrical styles. She recently interned with The Lion King in Mexico City, gaining experience in music supervision and stage management.
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Whilst living in London, she collaborated with Soho Sonic Studios as part of their Exclusive Artist Development Program, releasing the singles Bad Habits and Doomed. She also self-released her debut EP, Minutes & Hours, which she wrote and produced.
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Alex has been accepted into the master’s program in Screen Scoring at NYU, where she will continue developing her voice as a composer for stage and screen.
GUEST ARRANGER
Paula Srur Carcar
Alex is a songwriter and composer from Mexico City, specializing in arrangements and orchestrations that blend contemporary and theatrical styles. She recently interned with The Lion King in Mexico City, gaining experience in music supervision and stage management.
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Whilst living in London, she collaborated with Soho Sonic Studios as part of their Exclusive Artist Development Program, releasing the singles Bad Habits and Doomed. She also self-released her debut EP, Minutes & Hours, which she wrote and produced.
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Alex has been accepted into the master’s program in Screen Scoring at NYU, where she will continue developing her voice as a composer for stage and screen.
MEET THE ORCHESTRA
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Six on Broadway
- Once on this Island (Broadway Tour).
- La LaLand at Carnegie Hall
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Wanting to make people dance and enjoy the moment.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My Family.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"The Schuyler Sisters"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Working with Dave Liebman, John Scofield, and Valerie Simpson
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Rock and Roll
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
Eric Clapton
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"My Shot"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Hamilton, Kinky Boots, Real Women Have Curves
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Always wanted to play piano as a kid.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My high school piano teacher.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
To perform: "Wait For It" / To listen: "Surface Pressure"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Jagged Liitle Pill on Broadway (Viola chair), Music Coordinator at For Colored Girls on Broadway.
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
An instrument presentation at my middle elementary school
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My late viola teacher, Miles Hoffman. Not only was he an amazing violist, he was one of the smartest people I've ever met. He truly inspired me to go beyond the notes and educate myself deeply about multiple genres of music. He was a rock of support and the extra push I needed to pursue music professionally. I'm forever grateful!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"My Shot"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Sirius Quartet, Tyshawn Sorey, Hiromi
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
I never wanted to play any other instruments so badly..
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My folks and all my heroes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"My Shot"..so catchy.
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
"Smash" Broadway 2025
"From New York with Love"
Hugh Jackman 2025
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
The sounds, the look, the feel - the endless possibilities!
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
The ability to bare my soul through sounds and music resonates so deeply with me like no other.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"Breathe"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Released my debut album, "Con Personas / With the People", in March 2024 the album has received outstanding reviews and recognition.
- Joined the Broadway scene as a bassist, performing in professional theater productions.
- Recorded bass on the Latin Grammy-winning album Los Animales by Mister G in 2015.
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
My brother needed a bass player for his band, and when I stepped in, I instantly fell in love with the sound and the emotional depth of the instrument.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
I was deeply inspired by my family, which has a rich musical heritage. It all started with my grandfather, who played the flute, followed by my father, a harpist, and my mother, a singer. Music was always present in our home, with aunts and uncles playing guitars, flutes, and various percussion instruments. Growing up surrounded by that kind of creativity made music feel like a natural path for me.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"If You Can Count" Ft. Lauryn Hill
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Gypsy on Broadway, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, GRAMMY award winning record All the Ladies
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
The beautiful sound of it..
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My Mom's love of music
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"Burn"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater performance with Jon Batiste and Esperanza Spalding.
- Carnegie Hall performance with the Motown All-Stars.
- The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts performance with hip-hop legends featuring A Tribe Called Quest, Salt-N-Pepa, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, et al.
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
My late maternal uncle played the Bb clarinet in his high school marching band. I looked up to him when I was younger and wanted to be like him. My grandmother kept his high school instrument and gave it to me when I was in the beginning band in middle school to follow in his footsteps.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My high school concert, orchestra, and jazz band directors introduced me to various repertoire, inspiring me to pursue a career in music and form deeper connections to the art form.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"We Don't Talk About Bruno"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- New Haven Symphony, Spoleto Festival USA
- Assistant Concertmaster in the world premier of Rhiannon Gidden's Pulitzer Prize winning opera "Omar"
- Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival.
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
For my fourth birthday, my grandma gifted me a violin and took me to the Bronx House School of Music to sign up for my first violin lessons. Never looked back since.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
Alicia Keys. When I was a kid growing up in the Bronx, I remember listening to Alicia's "Karma," and immediately noticing the violin sample in the intro. At the time, I didn't know that she sampled the opening of Brahms' infamous violin concerto, but that one song and her effortless ability to weave classical and modern sounds and style together inspired me beyond belief.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"No Me Diga!"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Receiving the CMA grant to record my next album, premiering my new big band book at Dizzy's, arranging a Salsa songbook of 35+ tunes
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
There is a lot of trombone in Latin music so I heard it a lot growing up.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My middle school band director Russ Weaver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
+Where you are" - Moana
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Cellist at SUFFS on Broadway, 10 + years freelancing in NYC
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Everyone else chose violin or viola, so I chose the cello.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
It is my passion.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"We Don't Talk About Bruno"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Frontman of Blu Eye Extinction opening and touring with George Clinton and PFunk, playing trombone with Burning Spear, playing at Carnegie Hall with Gateways Orchestra
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
I tried it at an instrument “petting zoo” and it stuck!
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
I wanted to copy my older sister and take piano lessons
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
In the Heights
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Music Director of The Wiz Broadway Revival; Associate MD of City Center’s Ragtime; currently Music Director of Goddess at the Public Theater
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Watching my dad play and wanting to be like him..
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
There were several key people who showed me it was possible to have a career while following my dream.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
The entire Encanto soundtrack. Love it.
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
Played in Papo Vazquez Album "Songs del Yucayeke"
Played with LA Philharmonic "Tentación" piece written by Dafnis Prieto
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
My Father told me that this instrument had more jobs than any other... (He wasn't kidding).
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My Father probably inspired me the most. He is a great composer, musician and an amazing artist in general.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"My Shot"
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Carnegie Hall debut with Twelfth Night
- Beethoven 9 at Symphony Hall with H+H in Boston
- Wigmore Hall debut with Arcangelo
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Its beautiful dark, round sound.. the stunning body, one piece back, and varnish were all an added bonus.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
Love for music runs in my family. I grew up in a house filled with music at all times and so I suppose you could say my parents were the people inspired me to pursue it as a career.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
When Hamilton came out, my students loved it and learned “My Shot” as part of their end-of-year concert, so “My Shot” sticks out as one of my favorite LMM songs.
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Member of the multi‑Grammy‑winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, featured on Fandango at the Wall (2022).
- Live and studio performances with Ayodele Casel, Pedrito Martínez, John Batiste, Lionel Loueke, Orlando Valle, Alexander Abreu, Germán Velasco, Isaac Delgado, Jorge Reyes, and many others.
- Meinl Cymbals and Percussion endorsed artist since 2023.
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
Rhythm chose me before I even knew it. Growing up in Cuba, the streets were always alive with congas, claves, and timbales, every corner a jam session. I started tapping on tabletops, cookware, anything that rang back. When I finally sat behind real drums, the language felt native: I could speak without words. That instant connection—turning everyday noise into heartbeat and conversation, is what made percussion my instrument for life.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My inspiration started at home: my father’s turntable was a carousel of Cuban giants Orquesta Aragón, Los Van Van, and Elio Revé y su Charangon. Hearing those charangas and songos day after day, I felt the groove settle into my bones. Their irresistible swing, and my dad’s passion for it, made a life in music feel not just possible, but inevitable.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"My  Shot” from Hamilton. It fuses hip hop urgency with Broadway storytelling, turning ambition into an anthem. I still feel that jolt of “rise up” every time the chorus hits.
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Billie Joel at last concert at Shea Stadium,
- Jennifer Hudson @ Christmas Tree Lighting
- In The Heights- Broadway And Movie
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
My Father
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My Father
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"The Club" - In The Heights
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
The Wiz, The Great Gatsby, Hell’s Kitchen.
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
I was born into African Drum and dance.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
I was exposed to great music at a young age...tons of inspiration!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
"Still Breathin"... I've been loving Warriors..
PROUDEST PROFFESIONAL CREDITS:
- Beyoncé- Oscars 2022
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z On The Run II World Tour
- Orchestra of St. Luke’s
- Sweeney Todd on Broadway
WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS INSTRUMENT?
I saw a Black kid playing violin on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and that inspired me to pursue violin.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO MUSIC?
My Father.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA SONG?
Anything from Moana!