Jason Seber is known for his inviting and engaging approach on and off the podium. A strong believer in the eclectic experiences which today’s orchestras offer their communities, he strives to make music of many genres and styles accessible, relevant, and meaningful to diverse audiences across the country.

Seber has conducted many leading American orchestras, including the Baltimore, Colorado, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, National, San Diego, and St. Louis symphonies, the Louisville and Minnesota Orchestras, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Buffalo Philharmonic, among others. Seber has had the pleasure of performing with a wide range of artists, including Patti Austin, Mason Bates, Andrew Bird, Boyz II Men, Jinjoo Cho, Melissa Etheridge, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Indigo Girls, Paul Jacobs, Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Katharine McPhee, Natalie Merchant, Brian Stokes Mitchell, My Morning Jacket, Leslie Odom Jr., Aoife O’Donovan, Pink Martini, Ben Rector, Stephen Schwartz, Doc Severinsen, Violent Femmes, and Bobby Watson.

Previous positions include Associate Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony (2016-2022), Education and Outreach Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra (2013-2016), and Music Director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra (2005-2016). A passionate advocate for music education, Seber has led the Honors Performance Series Orchestra in concert at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall in London. He is a frequent guest conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra each summer and he has served as the All-State Orchestra conductor for Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

Ryan Shirar is a New York City-based conductor and music director who is also an accomplished pianist and orchestrator. Trained classically, he is diversely capable in styles ranging from masterworks to pop to Broadway. Shirar is currently the music director of The Four Phantoms, which had a PBS special air in August. He has performed globally at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Aspen Music Festival, Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, New York’s Town Hall, and Feinstein’s/54 Below, and with orchestras including the Plymouth Philharmonic, Tulsa Signature Symphony, Austin Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, and Cleveland Pops. Shirar made his Broadway debut in 2015 as pianist for The Visit, and recently music directed Waitress at the Cape Playhouse. He also performs with Manhattan Concert Productions, which holds residencies in New York City every spring culminating in performances at Carnegie Hall.

One of Shirar’s interests is in the development of new works in classical, pop, and theatrical genres. Currently, he is orchestrator for The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration, with reimagined versions of Whitney Houston classics. He is an orchestrator for The American Pops Orchestra (Washington, D.C.), and through the APO, he has written for the PBS series, One Voice: The Songs We Sing. Shirar also serves as music director and orchestrator for singers Maxine Linehan and Franc D’Ambrosio, and has orchestrated numerous shows with Spot-On Entertainment.

Shirar received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Music from the University of Kentucky, and his master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Carole J. Bufford has become one of the most sought-after performers on the American vintage pop and cabaret scenes. Her shows, including speak easy (featuring the GRAMMY Award-winning Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), You Don’t Own Me: The Fearless Females of the 1960s, Come Together, and Vintage Pop earned her rave reviews from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times (UK).

She currently tours with her solo shows all over the country and in London. She performs regularly with symphony orchestras throughout the country with Spot-On Entertainment, and she also hosted the weekly “Jazz Party” at NYC’s Birdland Jazz Club for a highly praised 10-month run. Carole is the recipient of a BroadwayWorld Award, Bistro Award, and Nightlife Award for Vocalist of the Year. Her show, You Don’t Own Me, was named Show of the Year by BroadwayWorld. She is also the recent Gold Medal-winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition.

To follow Carole on all social media: @CaroleJBufford and www.CaroleJBufford.com.

Ciara Huckeby is so happy to be joining this extremely talented group of artists. Most recently, Ciara guest starred on CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted. Ciara’s selected theatre credits include Ella in Ella in Stardust at The Makers’ Space, and Maureen Johnson in Rent at Guyer Opera House. They would like to thank their family and friends for all of the unwavering support, and thank you for attending and supporting your local artists! Ciara is represented by The Rosenzweig Group NY. Social media: @ciarahuckeby.

Farah Alvin has appeared on Broadway in the TONY Award-winning revival of Nine, as well as Grease, Saturday Night Fever, The Look of Love, It Shoulda Been You, and special Broadway events, A Christmas Carol and Ruben and Clay’s Christmas Spectacular. She is probably best known for her starring role of Marcy in the off-Broadway cult hit, I Love You Because, and her Drama Desk-nominated performance as Missy Miller in the original off-Broadway production of The Marvelous Wonderettes.

Farah has performed in many more off-Broadway shows and is a fixture in the New York concert and cabaret scene, performing regularly at venues like Town Hall, Carnegie Hall, Kaufman Music Center, 92nd Street Y, 54 Below, and The Green Room 42, where she ran a series of ‘70s themed concerts from 2019 to 2023.

Farah has been fortunate enough to perform with the National Symphonies of Canada and the United States, as well as with many other symphonies throughout America. She is a teacher for Singnasium and for the CAP 21 program at Molloy College. You can follow Farah on Spotify, where you can listen to her albums On Vinyl (2023) and Someday (2003), as well as many, many cast recordings from her unique theater career.