ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Evan Roider
Evan Roider is a sought-after conductor, celebrated for his versatility and dynamic presence. As the newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Evan’ s passion for all genres of popular music and his deep commitment to artistic excellence have made him one of the nation’ s most popular guest conductors.
The 2025-26 season includes debuts with the National Symphony, Houston Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and Rochester Philharmonic, among others. In recent seasons, he has appeared with the Detroit Symphony, Utah Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, Tucson Symphony, Toledo Symphony, and the Philly Pops. Driven by a passion for genre-spanning performances, he has led concerts featuring film and television music, Broadway favorites, classical masterworks, and iconic hits spanning the decades. He has collaborated with major artists such as Michael Feinstein, Big Freedia, Mannie Fresh, Fat Mike, Storm Large, the Manhattan Transfer, Tony DeSare, Pink Martini, and the von Trapps.
His Broadway credits include The Great Gatsby, Old Friends, and Wicked, a show for which he recently completed a four-year tenure as Music Director / Conductor of the North American tour. Previously, he toured with Les Misérables and Cats, performing in such venues as the Kennedy Center, National Arts Centre, and Hollywood Pantages Theatre. He serves as Associate Music Supervisor for the Tony Award-winning MUNY. in St. Louis, having previously worked at Barrington Stage, the Eugene O’ Neill Theater Center, and other theatres across the country.
Evan is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, and The Hartt School in Connecticut.
Lea Salonga
Multiple award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga is renowned across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. Salonga most recently starred in the new musical Here Lies Love at the Broadway Theatre and headlined Old Friends alongside Bernadette Peters on London’ s West End.
Salonga is best known for her Tony Award-winning role in Miss Saigon. In addition to the Tony, she has won Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards. She was also the first Asian to play Éponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway and returned to the beloved show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. On Broadway, Salonga starred in the 2018 revival of Once on This Island as the Goddess of Love, Erzulie. The show earned a Tony Award for best revival of a musical and also garnered Salonga and the cast a GRAMMY nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. She has also been seen on Broadway in Allegiance and Flower Drum Song.
SummerFest | 5