Meet the Music Director
Meet the Musicians
Meet the Artistic Advisor
Jenn Raithel-Newman
Instrument: Soprano
Due to her impressive vocal versatility, vibrant stage presence, and solid technique, American soprano Jenn Raithel Newman is equally at home performing Mozart as she is David Foster — typically during the same concert. Praised for her delivery of "powerful and emotional performances", Newman has been deemed the "audience favorite" by The Arizona Republic while critic Kenneth LaFave has noted the soprano to sing with "spin and beauty". With a diverse repertoire of roles to her credit ranging from "Pamina" in Die Zauberflöte to "Sister Amnesia" in Nunsense, Ms. Newman's unique niche as a crossover artist has made her a sought after performer in Pops and Classics concerts alike.
The beginning of the 2007/08 season found Newman making two debuts: first with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in their "Home for the Holidays" Holiday Pops Special conducted by Alastair Willis, and second with the Winston-Salem Symphony in their "Puttin' on the Ritz" New Year's Eve Pops Special conducted by Robert Moody. Newman was seen earlier this season with The Phoenix Symphony in their "Celebrate America" Pops Special conducted by Kayoko Dan. She will return to the Arizona Musicfest where she joins Musicfest 2008 in their Valentine's Day Cabaret and then to The Phoenix Symphony in late February for "Broadway Showstoppers" under the baton of Lawrence Golan.
In addition to her live performances, Newman will soon release her highly anticipated debut CD, Someone to Watch. She collaborated with Phoenix Symphony members Larry Loeber (piano) and Steve Fitch (percussion) for this timeless journey of song showcasing Newman's noteworthy versatility. Someone to Watch will be available for purchase online through various distributors and in person during her upcoming engagements with The Phoenix Symphony. Newman, an Arizona native, appears regularly with The Phoenix Symphony, where she debuted as the soprano soloist in Rutter's Requiem in 2002 and has returned for numerous Pops and Classics concerts since conducted by Robert Moody, Lawrence Golan, Kayoko Dan and the late Hermann Michael.
Roles to Ms. Newman's credit include: "Emily" in Help, Help! The Globolinks!, "Gretel" in Hansel and Gretel, "Genovieffa" in Suor Angelica, Godspell, and the title role in The Mystery of Edwin Drood to name a few. As a concert artist, Ms. Newman has been the featured soprano soloist in such works as Bach's Cantata #51 — Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate, Rutter's Requiem, Faure's Requiem and Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Haydn's Creation.
Jenn Raithel Newman holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Opera & Musical Theater Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Darleen Kliewer-Britton. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Newman has also sung gospel music extensively throughout the United States. While living in New York City, Ms. Newman was first introduced to internationally renowned soprano Maria Spacagna, with whom she still studies today.
Ms. Newman makes her home in Arizona with her husband, bass-baritone James Newman, and their young daughter Lyla Grace.
The beginning of the 2007/08 season found Newman making two debuts: first with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in their "Home for the Holidays" Holiday Pops Special conducted by Alastair Willis, and second with the Winston-Salem Symphony in their "Puttin' on the Ritz" New Year's Eve Pops Special conducted by Robert Moody. Newman was seen earlier this season with The Phoenix Symphony in their "Celebrate America" Pops Special conducted by Kayoko Dan. She will return to the Arizona Musicfest where she joins Musicfest 2008 in their Valentine's Day Cabaret and then to The Phoenix Symphony in late February for "Broadway Showstoppers" under the baton of Lawrence Golan.
In addition to her live performances, Newman will soon release her highly anticipated debut CD, Someone to Watch. She collaborated with Phoenix Symphony members Larry Loeber (piano) and Steve Fitch (percussion) for this timeless journey of song showcasing Newman's noteworthy versatility. Someone to Watch will be available for purchase online through various distributors and in person during her upcoming engagements with The Phoenix Symphony. Newman, an Arizona native, appears regularly with The Phoenix Symphony, where she debuted as the soprano soloist in Rutter's Requiem in 2002 and has returned for numerous Pops and Classics concerts since conducted by Robert Moody, Lawrence Golan, Kayoko Dan and the late Hermann Michael.
Roles to Ms. Newman's credit include: "Emily" in Help, Help! The Globolinks!, "Gretel" in Hansel and Gretel, "Genovieffa" in Suor Angelica, Godspell, and the title role in The Mystery of Edwin Drood to name a few. As a concert artist, Ms. Newman has been the featured soprano soloist in such works as Bach's Cantata #51 — Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate, Rutter's Requiem, Faure's Requiem and Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Haydn's Creation.
Jenn Raithel Newman holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Opera & Musical Theater Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Darleen Kliewer-Britton. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Newman has also sung gospel music extensively throughout the United States. While living in New York City, Ms. Newman was first introduced to internationally renowned soprano Maria Spacagna, with whom she still studies today.
Ms. Newman makes her home in Arizona with her husband, bass-baritone James Newman, and their young daughter Lyla Grace.
