American Pops Orchestra to feature orchestral fellows from Latin American countries as part of performance for the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center on September 5 and on PBS broadcast

WASHINGTON, DC  –The American Pops Orchestra (APO), in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), today announced the creation of the Hispanic Heritage Awards Orchestral Fellows, which will feature an inaugural class of outstanding young musicians hailing from six different countries – Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and the United States – who will perform alongside members of the APO during the 37^th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on September 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The performance will premiere on PBS on September 27.

APO, which was founded with a mandate to increase access and support cultural diplomacy through the arts, was recently designated an official Arts Envoy by the US State Department. Members of the APO have performed at the Hispanic Heritage Awards show for nearly a decade, backing up top Hispanic performers and cultural icons.

“It’s an exhilarating experience to bring together these young musicians and artists for this prestigious show at the Kennedy Center. For them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and for the Kennedy Center, it’s a privilege to showcase their talent and celebrate the vibrant Hispanic culture,” said Luke Fraizer, founder and music director of APO.  “I also want to emphasize how vital the work of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation is in supporting and elevating emerging Hispanic talent. Their dedication to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic community is truly commendable and inspiring.”

Honorees for this year’s 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards include: writer, director, and comedian Julio Torres (Vision), designer Carolina Herrera (Fashion), Beautyblender creator Rea Ann Silva (Entrepreneurship), NBA Star Carmelo Anthony (Sports), legendary Cumbia Band Los Ángeles Azules (Arts), and First-Posthumous Honoree Roberto Clemente. Stay tuned for host, performer and sponsor announcements coming soon.

“We are thrilled to partner with APO and share in the vision of Maestro Luke Frazier in engaging these outstanding, young musicians to be a part of our cultural celebration of not just Latino Americans but of Latin America,” said José Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “It’s critical we continue to connect our community from the United States, across Latin America and the rest of the globe. There is no more effective way to do that than through music.”

The Awards were established by The White House in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America and broadcast on PBS.  The Awards are commonly known as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.”

Student Orchestral Fellows include Rom Larson of Peru, Julio Estrada of Mexico, Alejandro Orta of Venezuela, Irene Rudas of Colombia, Leo Ernest of Brazil, and Luis Burke of the United States, alongside members of APO.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA

APO was founded in 2015 with a mission to build community through the preservation, promotion, and reimagination of American popular music and was designated an official Arts Envoy of the US State Department in the Fall of 2023. Through live and virtual performances, educational initiatives and collaborations, APO makes the highest quality art accessible to the broadest audiences. Founder and Music Director Luke Frazier created The American Pops with the intent of breaking the mold of the traditional pops orchestra.

This new, distinctly “American” orchestra brings together versatile musicians and reimagined programming focused on the Great American Songbook. Enjoy APO performances broadcast nationally on PBS including United in song, WICKED in CONCERT, Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas, ONE VOICE, the Songs We Share, We Are Family – Songs of Hope and Unity, Broadway’s Brightest Lights and much more. For more information about The American Pops Orchestra, please visit www.theamericanpops.org

ABOUT THE HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION

The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission, focused on education, workforce, social impact, and culture through the lens of leadership.  HHF is a national nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org and follow the Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.  Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.

PRESS INQUIRIES FOR THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA:

Amy Rodgers-Smith | amy@theamericanpops.org | (713) 315-0960 direct

PRESS INQUIRIES FOR THE HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION:

Nicolás Peña, Communications and Programs Specialist | nicolas@hispanicheritage.org | (202) 558-9473 office