THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA | 2018-2019 51
With 31 years of
experience as a
music director, 35
years as a conductor
of Pops, and 33 years
in the opera pit, Bob
Bernhardt brings a
unique perspective
and ability each time
he is on the podium.
In 2015, he was
named principal
pops conductor
of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and this season
he is celebrating his 21st year as principal pops
conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, as well as
his 36th consecutive year with the company. It is
also his sixth season as music director emeritus
and principal pops conductor of the Chattanooga
Symphony and Opera, where he was music director
for 19 seasons. He is also artist-in-residence at Lee
University. Formerly, he was principal conductor
and artistic director of the Rochester Philharmonic,
music director and conductor of the Tucson
Symphony, principal guest conductor of Kentucky
Opera, music director and conductor of the Amarillo
Symphony, and artistic director of the Lake Placid
Sinfonietta.
This season marks his 26th as a frequent guest of
the Boston Pops, which he first conducted at John
Williams’ invitation in 1992. He is also a frequent
guest conductor of the Baltimore Symphony,
Detroit Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony,
among others, and will conduct his 12th annual
Symphony Under the Sky Festival with the
Edmonton Symphony this fall.
He received his master’s degree with honors from
the University of Southern California’s School of
Music, studying primarily with Daniel Lewis. He
received his bachelor’s of fine arts degree from
Union College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa,
summa cum laude, and an Academic All-American
Baseball Player. He lives with his wife, Nora, in
Signal Mountain, Tennessee.
Born in North
Carolina, Katrina
Rose grew up singing
in the church choir
while practicing
rock riffs from her
bedroom. Singled
out as a child for her
surprisingly powerful
voice, it wasn’t until
she finally packed
her bags for New York
City that she found a
place she felt she belonged. She spent three years
at New York University and worked in karaoke clubs
before being noticed by the producers of Hairspray
the musical at an open call. Selected to star as Tracy
Turnblad, the role took her all over North America,
including Broadway, and eventually landed her
opposite the unforgettable Harvey Fierstein in
the original Las Vegas production at The Luxor.
Having been compared to Janis Joplin for much
of her life, Rose fulfilled a dream when she was
asked to portray the rock icon in A Night with
Janis Joplin at the Alley Theatre in Houston,
Texas. Most recently, Rose was seen on NBC’s The
Voice, where she sang a Janis favorite, Kozmic
Blues, for her blind audition, and picked coach
Miley Cyrus to continue her journey on the show.
Other favorite Broadway and off-Broadway
credits include RENT, Jerry Springer: The Opera,
and BloodSong of Love, and she is an original
member of the Joe Iconis and Family rock band.
She recently originated the role of Genya Ravan in
the biographical rock opera, Rock & Roll Refugee.
Her recordings include Kozmic Blues, W.O.M.A.N,
Things To Ruin: The Songs of Joe Iconis, Rock & Roll
Jamboree, Kerrigan & Lowdermilk LIVE, and Monster
Songs by Rob Rokicki.
BOB BERNHARDT
Guest Conductor
KATRINA ROSE
Vocalist