Artist Biographies

Christopher James Lees, resident conductor

Emerging American conductor Christopher James Lees brings passionate and nuanced orchestral performances to the stage, a fierce commitment to contemporary music, and a natural charisma to audiences all around the world.

In 2018, Mr. Lees began an appointment as Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to the more than 50 annual concert appearances with the CSO, he has stepped in to conduct Subscription Classical performances on four occasions, including a gala weekend with Grammy Award winning artist and Jazz legend Branford Marsalis in May 2021.

An active guest conductor, Mr. Lees has returned for performances with the Los Angeles and Rochester Philharmonics, the Houston, Detroit, Milwaukee, North Carolina, Portland, and Flint Symphonies, and conducted debuts with the Indianapolis, Kansas City, Toledo, and Vermont Symphonies.

Additional engagements have taken him to the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Orchestra de Chambre de Paris, Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and at the Music in the Mountains Festival & Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordão in Brazil.

Only the second American Gustavo Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mr. Lees made his debut with the orchestra in April 2013 and returned for concerts in February 2015.

With the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis & Atlanta Symphonies, among others, Mr. Lees has served as assistant conductor for the world’s leading conductors, including: Gustavo Dudamel, Paavo Järvi, Herbert Blomstedt, Leonard Slatkin, David Robertson, Robert Spano, Marin Alsop, Pablo Heras-Casado, Stéphane Danève, Susanna Mälkki, and Nicholas McGegan.

A recipient of a Career Assistance Grant from the Solti Foundation US, Mr. Lees was also chosen for showcase on the Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation National Conductor Preview, hosted by the League of American Orchestras and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

A dedicated advocate for music of our time, Mr. Lees has premiered more than one hundred fifty new works by a diverse range of composers, and collaborated closely with Pulitzer Prize winners John Adams, William Bolcom, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Caroline Shaw, Roger Reynolds, and Julia Wolfe.

An equally passionate advocate for music education, Mr. Lees has brought inspirational energy to student orchestras across the country, from the Colburn School to the New England Conservatory, and previously served on the faculties of the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Lees holds bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, and has studied conducting with Larry Rachleff and Robert Spano, as well as having participated in masterclasses with Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gustav Meier, and Jorma Panula.

When not performing, Mr. Lees can be found building Lego sets with his six year old son, reading the stack of books by his nightstand, or training outdoors for his next 10K road race.

Brie Cassil, vocalist

Brie Cassil is a singer, actor, and composer based out of Chicago, IL. Originally from Missouri, Brie moved to NYC straight out of high school, and has since played starring roles including Mimi (Rent), Little Sally (Urinetown), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), and Suzy (in the Off-Broadway cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes). Cassil has had the opportunity to perform all over the world. From leading workshops in Brazil, to opening for Adler (original drummer for Guns N’ Roses) with her band, Rebel. Most recently, Cassil had the privilege of performing at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in the new musical, SuperYou. She is very grateful to be able to do what she loves, traveling around the world and singing the music of her biggest influencers with many of the world’s best orchestras.

Naärai Jacobs, vocalist

Naärai hails from Sarasota, FL, and is a proud Howard University graduate, where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts, magna cum laude. After the release of her first solo EP in 2015, On My Way, Naärai moved to Los Angeles where she’s spent the last seven years making a name for herself as professional singer. She’s had the privilege of providing background vocals for Beyoncé (at the Coachella Music Festival, in Homecoming (2019 documentary film), and for Renaissance (2022 album), as well as for Tori Kelly, Mariah Carey, and Kanye West (for the albums Jesus is King, Jesus is Born, and Donda). In 2021 she was featured as a soloist on Elton John’s single “Finish Line,” featuring Stevie Wonder, and in 2022, Naärai released her single, “Perfect,” to rave reviews around the globe!

Shayna Steele, vocalist

Shayna Steele’s career started at the age of 15, appearing on Ed McMahon’s Star Search. Since then, Steele has provided vocals for the Hairspray film soundtrack, Sex & the City 2 soundtrack, NBC’s Smash, the 2008 Summer Olympic highlights on BBC, and the 2021 release of In the Heights. Steele appeared in the Broadway shows Rent and Hairspray and has supported artists like Bette Midler, Rihanna, and Kelly Clarkson. Steele has made guest appearances on HBO’s The Sopranos and reprised her Broadway role in NBC’s Hairspray Live. Steele released her 3 rd studio album Watch Me Fly following the success of her album Rise in 2015 which reached #3 on the U.S. iTunes jazz charts. Steele has appeared as a soloist and guest artist with over 40 symphony orchestras throughout North America. Her most recent solo concert, Nothin’ but the Blues, is one of many highlights in her symphonic solo career. She continues to tour all over the world with her band, is a regular guest artist with GRAMMY® Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti, and is recording her 4 th studio album set to release in 2023.

Eric Metzgar, drummer

Eric Metzgar is an in-demand drummer and versatile collaborator who has performed with jazz/pop artists and symphony orchestras worldwide, including Jeff Tyzik, Sutton Foster, Joe Locke, Jimmy Greene, Shayna Steele, Byron Stripling, and Delfeayo Marsalis. Metzgar is a passionate educator deeply invested in music teaching and learning. Each summer, he teaches at the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop under the direction of saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. Metzgar holds a BM in Drum Set Performance and an MM in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music.