Let's Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound

Troy Quinn, Conductor

Emmy-nominated conductor Troy Quinn is known for his energetic conducting, charismatic stage presence, and genre-defying programs. He is Music Director of the Owensboro Symphony, Music Director of the Venice (Florida) Symphony, and Pops Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and the Santa Rosa Symphony, and has performed with prestigious orchestras including the Boston Pops, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Quinn has performed and recorded with some of the most popular artists of our time, including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Barry Manilow, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Feinstein, Tower of Power, Rockapella, Cypress Hill, The Indigo Girls, and Nas. As an accomplished vocalist, he has collaborated with such renowned composers as Alan Menken, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, and Alexandre Desplat and performed under prominent maestros including Helmuth Rilling, Carl St. Clair, and Dan Saunders of the Metropolitan Opera. He has also worked extensively in television and recording, earning an Emmy nomination for the PBS special A Night at the Oscars with the Owensboro Symphony. He has appeared on Fox’s GLEE, NBC’s The Voice, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and recorded on films including The Call of the Wild and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

A Connecticut native, Quinn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College where he received the Leo S. Cannon award for superior achievement in music. He earned his Master’s degree with honors from the Manhattan School of Music, and his doctorate in conducting at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Quinn serves on the conducting faculty at USC and is a former faculty member at Providence College, where he was also awarded an honorary doctorate.

Chester Gregory, Vocals

Chester Gregory’s Broadway credits include Motown The Musical, Hairspray, Tarzan, Cry-Baby and Sister Act. Other credits include August Wilson's Fences and Two Trains Running. He has toured nationally with Dreamgirls and Sister Act, as well as his one-man show The Eve of Jackie Wilson. Chester has received the Jeff Award, an NAACP Theatre Award, and been presented the keys to the city of his hometown of Gary, Indiana and of East Chicago. He is an Honorary Indiana State Representative and has received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Columbia College Chicago.

Cherise Coaches, Vocals

Cherise Coaches is an award-winning recording artist, songwriter, vocal coach/producer, and actress from the south suburbs of Chicago. She holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Columbia College Chicago, and has collaborated with artists including Paula Cole, Brian Culbertson, Mike Stern, Jeremih, Carl Thomas, Kenny Latimore, Glen Jones, and many more. Cherise has made waves in the recording and acting worlds. Her singles are in all online music stores and streaming platforms. She made her co-star debut on Starz Network series The Chi. Theater credits include Men of Soul, Dreamgirls, Hair, Disenchanted, and her favorite to date: portraying Young Patti LaBelle in A New Attitude - In Tribute to Patti Labelle.

Brik.Liam, Vocals

Early exposure to many genres, including gospel, influenced Jacoby “Brik.Liam” Williams’s current sound, fusing classic soul vibes with urban contemporary music. The stage name Brik.Liam is a two-part compilation: "Brik"-- a synonym for his favorite color red and “Liam”-- an abbreviation of his last name. Brik.Liam has released albums, performed with some of the industry's brightest talent, and showcased his music around the world, including performances in London and The Republic of the Congo. He has toured the United States opening for Grammy winner PJ Morton, completed a solo tour in Russia, and released an EP entitled What’s The Matter, Brik.