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Overview, STAR SPANGLED POPS
A Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops Concert - SUBSCRIBE NOW
July 1, 2, 3
Matthew Garbutt, conductor
David Hernandez, vocals
LaKisha Jones, vocals
Felix Ramsey, Jr.
San Diego Master Chorale
Kick off your summer with a Fourth of July celebration! Principal Summer Pops conductor Matthew Garbutt leads the way with a patriotic extravaganza featuring the San Diego Symphony and American Idol’s David Hernandez (Season 7) and LaKisha Jones (Season 6). These singing sensations will entertain with all-American hits from Broadway and beyond. There will be rousing John Philip Sousa marches, a salute to the military and spectacular fireworks to light up the sky!
Note: Previously scheduled conductor Marvin Hamlisch's appearance at these concerts has been cancelled due to illness. The concert will be conducted by Principal Summer Pops Conductor Matthew Garbutt.
Artists, 
“I just want to sing.”
That heartfelt declaration pinpoints the core essence of LaKisha Jones. Best known to millions of TV viewers as a top four finalist during the 2007 season of American Idol, the singer is ready to reclaim center stage—this time with her first solo album, So Glad I’m Me. “Singing makes me feel good,” says the Flint, Michigan native. “It’s the food for my soul and gets me through each day and night. If I touch just one person who can relate to what I’m singing, then I’ve done my job. Music is my ministry.”
So Glad I’m Me resonates from start to finish, propelled by Jones’ expressive, full-bodied vocals. It’s the same arresting voice that electrified American Idol viewers with the Dreamgirls showstopper “And I Am Telling You” and later commanded the Broadway stage in Oprah Winfrey’s Tony Award®-winning musical The Color Purple. Whether Jones is delivering a gut-tugging ballad, a beat-infused party jam or a spiritual uplift, her voice never loses its soul-stirring fervor. “My style is very soulful,” notes Jones. “I’m not one for doing big run-ups, riffs or frills. I’m just a straightforward singer without all the extras, giving out what was given to me.”
Jones’ motivation and mesmerizing style date back to her childhood in Flint. Raised by her mother and grandmother, she was exposed to such legendary singers as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle. But it was Jones’ 92-year-old grandmother who left the most lasting impression on the fledgling singer. It was at her urging (“let your voice shine”) that a five-year-old Jones began singing in church choirs and music programs. “The more I did it, the more I loved it,” recalls Jones of her early “I want to sing” moments.
Soon after, she was doing the pushing herself. Singing in chorale groups and a cappella choruses through high school, she entered and won the top prize at Flint’s local talent contest, “The Super Show,” in 1997. A two-year stint studying vocal performance at the University of Michigan left the high school graduate wanting to sing more than hitting the books. Relocating to various cities (Dallas, Houston and Virginia Beach) the singer continued to pursue her dream—despite not being accepted by American Idol during a 2003 audition. But an eventual move to Baltimore proved a second time can be the charm. Having heard her sing on the job and at local events, Jones’ fellow Provident Bank staffers encouraged her to drive to New York to audition for the 2007 season of American Idol.
It was while performing on the American Idol tour that Jones received a call to audition for The Color Purple. During her three-month run, she played two roles: that of a “church lady” and one of the pivotal main characters, “Sophia,” The latter role she alternated with R&B icon Chaka Khan. Having accomplished several major goals in two short years, Jones is only getting started. She anticipates more acting and singing roles on Broadway, TV and films, recording a gospel album and establishing a foundation to provide resources and support for single moms. “One lesson I learned from Chaka Khan is don’t ever be scared to use what God has given you; don’t hold back,” says Jones. “God has gifted me and has more in store for me. This journey has just begun.”
Actor/singer/songwriter, David Hernandez, gained national attention with his powerful voice and affable personality as an American Idol finalist. He began acting and singing at age six, starring in musicals and performing with various theatre companies throughout Arizona. He began writing original music and recording his material as a young teenager.
A Phoenix native, Hernandez recently moved to Hollywood where he is writing new songs, working in the recording studio producing his newest music, and pursuing his passion for acting. He has already completed his first feature film as the lead in the movie Synthetic Truth.
In addition to American Idol, David has showcased his talents on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, MTV’s TRL, EXTRA, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Teen Choice Awards, TV Guides’ Sexiest Stars, Idol Tonight, Idol Gives Back and FOX-TV.
A once-in-a-life-time invitation came knocking on David’s door in 2009. He was asked to sing at the Inaugural Kick-Off Celebration ball for President Barack Obama. He was honored to share the stage with Jamie Foxx, John Legend and Maroon 5, along with event hosts Jessica Alba and legendary TV producer, Norman Lear.
David counts Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, Donny Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and David Foster among his musical influences.
Felix Ramsey, Jr. began singing when he was 3 years old attending SDC Head Start. He entered his first talent showcase when he was 6 yrs old. Soon afterwards, he performed for R&B Singer Mario during a program at his school Young Leaders Academy. From that day forward, Felix began competing in various talent shows across Milwaukee, winning 1st Place in all of them. His performances include: 2006 Showtime at the Riverside, African World Festival, opening for the 70’s band “Slave” at Juneteenth Day, half-time entertainment for the Fresh Coast Classic Championship game, the 2011 Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Awards, and entertainment at Mule Town Idol in Columbia, TN.
The middle son of Kathi Rodgers and Felix Ramsey, Sr., Felix will be a junior at Milwaukee High School of the Arts next year. His future plans include working hard to earn a scholarship to attend Juilliard in New York City. His parents instilled in him the importance of a quality education. His older brother is a sophomore at Barry University in Miami, FL, and his youngest brother is in the 7th grade at YLA. When asked what motivates him, Felix replies, “My Mom. My dad was injured and could no longer work. My mom took care of all of us, worked sometimes two jobs, went to school, came to all of our activities, AND found the time to perform with her R&B group 3part Harmony. She always told us that if you want something, you have to be ready to put in the hard work and dedication to get it. No one cares about you but you… Now that my parents are divorced, they are both still supporting my brothers and me. They never give up, and keep us busy, because they said that they don’t want us to go down the wrong path.
When Felix graduated from the 8th grade, he was voted, “Most Likely to Appear on American Idol”. Last year, that award became a reality when Felix auditioned for American Idol and made it to Hollywood. He advanced to the top 100 singers in the nation. The most notable performance was that during group night, where Felix and four other 15 and 16 year olds formed the group named “The Minors”, and gave a performance of a lifetime! Felix and the members of the group are currently pursuing their careers as individuals, as well as maintaining the group.
