Committee Member: Luke Frazier
DC - Conductor and Founder of The American Pops Orchestra (APO)
Luke Frazier is a young conductor who is setting the tempo in DC and beyond with his lively conducting skills, accompanied by his orchestra (that he founded), The American Pops Orchestra (APO). Spending his time focusing on preserving American Popular music with innovative performances, Frazier is trying to make “the concept of an orchestra more accessible to people from all walks of life in all regions of our country”. When Frazier isn’t keeping the beat, he is likely cooking vegetarian dishes, finding new eateries around DC, or spreading his passion for music with all who are willing to listen, “music is a right for anyone who wants to hear it,” explains Frazier.
Parkersburg, WV.
Cathedral Heights.
I attended public school all through K-12 and then West Virginia University for a BM in Piano Performance and Ohio University for an MM in Conducting.
Ha!
Bigger HA!
Hiking Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England and trying way too much Sticky Toffee pudding in my self created tour of Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Tibet.
Beautiful dinners at Plume in the Jefferson Hotel, I’m a Vegetarian and they always spoil me with beautiful creations.
Pavlova.
Chickpeas.
Remakes of classic dishes but as vegetarian dishes with no meat or meat substitute. I LOVE to cook.
Recent vegetarian tasting menu at The Innat Little Washington.
Franklin Roosevelt-I’ve always been fascinated with his vision and tenacity to get our country through such a difficult time.Mary Oliver-the elegance of her writing is something that has always captivated me Julia Child-I love to cook and watching how she was so joyful about cooking while remaining completely convicted about what she was doing and how she did it.
I was always an old soul and would come home from school and watch classic movies and classic TV shows.
The Hours, Fried Green Tomatoes, As Good As It Gets, All About Eve, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Beginners.
Meryl Streep, Christopher Plummer, Amy Poehler, Melissa McCarthy, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin.
Way too many to name.
Cabaret performance of pianist/singer Barbara Carroll, at 90 she performed with a subtlety and nuance that completely drew me in at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club. She effortlessly switched from comedic songs to the most intricate harmonies in haunting ballads with such ease and grace.
Mercedes E300.
Tesla.
Mercedes E300.
1930’s Illinois Deco Wrist Watch.
Custom Vodka Soda with herbs and citrus or a Mint Julep.
Manhattan.
Bourbon all the way.
Vodka.
I have about 15 and rotate, right now I’m loving Vetiver from Dyptique.
Pinot Noir or Chinon.
Champagne!
The beaches in Maine, or at Rehoboth at my beach place.
Antiquing!
Working in my garden or around the house.
Be prepared and wear your own shoes-from Chita Rivera.
The variety and creativity.
I’m a professional conductor. I have my own orchestra that I created, The American Pops Orchestra. With that group I focus on preserving American Popular music with innovative performances and making the concept of an orchestra more accessible to people from all walks of life in all regions of our country. I also conduct all over the country with a large amount of work in Palm Beach, FL and New York, NY.
Educational- I lead APO on a tour of Appalachian elementary schools completely free of charge. I have scholarships for music students at West Virginia University, Ohio University and future music students(High School Seniors) through a non-profit in my hometown. In addition I’m also on the board of the New York Festival of Song and the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council at Meridian International Center.