Music Our Way explores an eclectic mix of opera duo ACTE II's greatest hits, including Grand Opera, Disney, Great American Songbook, and Spirituals.
ACTE II - Bio
Opera duo, ACTE II, was suddenly launched into the national spotlight after delivering a captivating performance on NBC’s #1 summer show America’s Got Talent. The duo received a standing ovation by the celebrity judges who then selected the duo as one of 10 acts to perform live at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Since their time on America’s Got Talent the ladies have performed to high acclaim in some of America’s largest cities.
Sopranos Olanna Goudeau (Port Arthur, TX) and Ashley Renée Watkins (New Orleans, LA) are southern belles who currently make their home in New York City. The pair first met while studying voice performance at Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. They later attended graduate school together at the University of Oklahoma where they first shared the spotlight together in an exhilarating production of Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Throughout their studies both Ashley Renée and Olanna received high honors in national and international vocal competitions within the United States, Europe and South America. They have also been selected as young artist by some of the classical arena’s most prestigious programs including Music Academy of the West, Taos Opera Institute, AIMS in Graz and Opera New Jersey’s Victoria J. Mastrobuono Emerging Artist Program.
In 2012, ACTE II came about after Olanna and Ashley Renée joined forces to raise money through concert work, to travel to Europe for singing opportunities. While planning their fund raising concerts they realized how much they enjoyed working together and that they could create something special together. As a result, their mission changed from funding an audition tour to creating new and exciting programming that would allow them to connect with audiences near and far.
ACTE II regularly performs throughout the United States with performances ranging from some of America’s most beloved venues to community outreach programs. ACTE II has put its mission statement “to connect with people around the globe one community at a time” into action by making their Lincoln Center debut in historic Avery Fisher Hall while on tour with the American Spiritual Ensemble, performing at an NBA game as guests of the Brooklyn Nets, making their European debut in Syros, Greece at the Apollo Theater and singing at the White House for a Christmas concert at the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park. Even with all of these wonderful opportunities the duo finds it very necessary to give back to the community. They have presented opera workshops at inner city schools, partnered with organizations to reach at risk teens and have fostered a wonderful relationship with New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.
The afro donning duo has quickly become known for pushing the boundaries of classical music with exciting and “connected” concerts. ACTE II’s programming, which has been described as “something close to perfection”, covers the gamut of vocal music with genres ranging from art songs, opera, musical theater, jazz, spirituals, gospel and popular music. Their multi-genre or versatile repertoire continues to push them towards their goal of becoming the world’s leading classical singing ensemble and providers of entertainment, music education and inspiration.
--
JAMES DAVIS JR. - Bio
One of the most recognized emerging music directors, James Davis Jr. has proven himself to be an artistic leader who captivates musicians, audiences, and communities with his deep passion for music. Well versed in classical, jazz, and contemporary music alike, James has supervised musical productions at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Apollo Theater. James is the founder and President of JDJ Music, Inc. and has made an imprint both culturally and globally on the music scene. For over nine years, he has served as the Director of Music Ministries & Fine Arts at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church (New York City). James has produced and arranged music for both film and television, including Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer and a State Farm Insurance commercial commemorating the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. He is actively involved in the modern effort to preserve live music performance and to present music as an essential part of our culture and education. James’ musicianship and artistic sensitivity has afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a myriad of notable artists across genres including Ashford & Simpson, Alicia Keys, Jessye Norman, John Legend, Lyle Lovett, Richard Smallwood, Wynton Marsalis and Cyrus Chestnut.
A native of Winstonville, Mississippi, James is a 2004 cum laude graduate of Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA).
