PROGRAM NOTES
LESLIE ODOM , JR .: THE CHRISTMAS TOUR
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tony Duran
Copy CopyJonathan Rush Leslie Odom , Jr .
Jonathan Rush
Hailed as a “ continually rising talent in the conducting world ” by the Baltimore Sun , Jonathan Taylor Rush brings passion , unique interpretation , and a refreshing energy to the orchestral experience . Rush was appointed as the Assistant Conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2020 . Previously , Rush served as Music Director of the Buckeye Philharmonic Orchestra , as well as Conducting Fellow for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra . In 2018 , Rush was a Project Inclusion Conducting Fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta , and in 2019 , was named Assistant Conductor .
As winner of the 2018 Respighi Prize in Conducting at age 22 , Rush made his professional orchestra debut with the Chamber Orchestra of New York in Carnegie Hall . Rush continues to conduct both nationally and internationally , with notable debuts including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra , Chicago Sinfonietta , Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , and Nairobi Philharmonic . Rush ’ s current mentors and teachers include Marin Alsop , Mei-Ann Chen , and Joseph Young .
Leslie Odom , Jr .
Leslie Odom , Jr . is a multifaceted , award-winning vocalist , songwriter , author , and actor . With a career that spans all performance genres , he has received recognition with Tony and Grammy Awards as well as Emmy and , most recently , two Academy-Award nominations for his excellence and achievements in Broadway , television , film , and music . Odom most recently starred in the critically acclaimed Amazon film adaptation of One Night in Miami …, in which he performed the songs of legendary singer Sam Cooke . His portrayal of the soul icon and musical performance of the original song “ Speak Now ” was met with widespread praise and critical acclaim , earning him multiple award nominations . He can currently be heard voicing the character of Owen Tillerman in Season 2 of the Apple TV + musical-comedy series Central Park and stars in David Chase ’ s Sopranos prequel Many Saints of Newark .
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