Friday, September 25, 2026
HOSTED BY Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD University President
TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE The Philly Pops featuring Leslie Odom, Jr. Directed by Christopher Dragon Music Director, Philly Pops With select performances by Villanova University Student Performing Arts There will be one 20-minute intermission.
Dear Friends, Welcome to Pops in the Pavilion 2026—an evening that brings together the joy of music, the warmth of community, and the transformative power of generosity. We are delighted to welcome Leslie Odom, Jr., whose extraordinary talent and artistry will help make this a memorable celebration for all gathered here tonight. While tonight promises wonderful music and fellowship, the true significance of Pops in the Pavilion reaches far beyond this evening. At its heart, this event is about access—ensuring that talented, deserving students have the opportunity to pursue a Villanova education regardless of their financial circumstances. Scholarship support makes that possible for countless students each year, opening doors to an education rooted in academic excellence, Augustinian values and a community committed to helping each person flourish. Every table reserved, every ticket purchased and every gift made in support of this event helps change the trajectory of a student’s life. Because of your generosity, students are able to come to Villanova, discover their gifts, grow in wisdom and service, and prepare to make a meaningful difference in the world. On behalf of the entire Villanova community, thank you for being here and for believing so deeply in our mission, our students, and the enduring value of a Villanova education. Sincerely,
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA President
GENEROUS BENEFACTORS Villanova University gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our Benefactors. With deepest gratitude, we thank our Platinum, Gold and Silver Benefactors. Anonymous Bill Borrelle and John Hearn Trinity Financial Strategies/Brunnock Family The de Marval Family The DeLany and Sullivan Family Congressman Dwight Evans The Gaglioti Family The Villanova University Financial Club Allen and Debbie Hobbs Robert Courey and Thomas Keebler The Krump Family Peter Labbat and Karen Kiehl Elizabeth T. and Lawrence S. Mazzeo Newhall Family and Bonutti Family Stephen and Mary Jane Ryan Mr and Mrs Robert and Christina Tierney The Topper Family Harriet and Larry Weiss
MUSICIANS OF THE PHILLY POPS VIOLIN 1 Luigi Mazzocchi, concertmaster Carlos Rubio Robert Vieira Guillaume Combet Paul Reiser Gabriela Mandescu Magee Capsouto Rachel Massey Eliso Gegeshidze Carlos Santiago VIOLIN 2 Yu-Hui Tamae Lee, principal Greg Teperman Kate Suk Sarah Dubois Diane Barnett Alberta Douglas Vilme Joselin Natasha Colkett VIOLA Davis Barnett, principal Marjorie Goldberg Scott Wagner Nina Cottman Sarah Sutton Gerry Rice CELLO Uli Boeckheler, principal Jonathan Fink George Atanasiu Brooke Beazley Pat Daniels Ajibola Rivers
BASS Anne Peterson, principal Douglas Mapp Omar Martinez FLUTE Frances Tate, principal Ron Kerber, alto saxophone Elissa Brown, piccolo OBOE Dave Schneider, principal Evan Ocheret, english horn CLARINET Doris Hall-Gulati, principal Kaj Hansen, alto saxophone Mark Allen, bass clarinet, baritone sax BASSOON Norman Spielberg, principal Jon Gaarder, bassoon 2 HORN Martina Adams, principal Bryn Coveney Todd Williams Adam Lesnick TENOR 1 Chris Farr
TRUMPET Matt Gallagher, principal Bob Gravener George Rabbai Dave Divalentino TROMBONE Jarred Antonacci, principal Brian Pastor Sean Casey, bass trombone TUBA Jonathan Fowler HARP Andre Tarantiles TIMPANI Dave Nelson PERCUSSION Bill Kerrigan, principal Ralph Sorrentino Zach Crystal GUITAR Greg Snyder PIANO/KEYBOARD Dean Schneider BASS Steve Beskrone DRUMS Joe Nero
STUDENT PERFORMING ARTS at VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Student Performing Arts at Villanova University offers a vibrant and transformative opportunity for Villanovans to participate in collegiatelevel performing arts throughout their undergraduate experience. Our department proudly supports a diverse array of artistic opportunities across dance, vocal music, and instrumental music, creating a dynamic community where creativity, collaboration and personal growth flourish. Our mission is to make the performing arts an essential and enriching part of the Villanova experience by cultivating students’ artistic passions, talents and leadership through meaningful creative expression. We believe that performance has the power to inspire artistic excellence, and to foster connection, understanding, and a deeper appreciation of our shared humanity. Nearly 700 students participate in instrumental music, vocal music, and dance across 24 student performing arts ensembles. During the 2025-26 academic year, these talented students collectively dedicated more than 190 hours each week to rehearsals and shared their artistry through 335 performances for the Villanova community and audiences beyond campus. Rooted in a deep commitment to the arts, we cultivate a culture of creativity, empathy and mutual respect. Through music and dance, students form lasting connections, foster personal growth and experience the transformative power of artistic collaboration. Together, we enrich the Villanova community while sharing our talents in ways that inspire, uplift and cultivate a deeper sense of belonging.
TALENTED STUDENT PERFORMERS JOINING THE PHILLY POPS Flute Sabrina Sharafi Clarinet Ann Bingel Clarinet Anastasia Westrate Trumpet Henry Hooper Trumpet Brendan Rainforth Trumpet Matthew South Horn Jay M. Nelson Trombone Chloe Briggs Euphonium Sam Tatum Percussion Jason Lauducci Mallet Percussion Eliana Wang
VILLANOVA BAND Director of Bands, Beth Sokołowski
Assistant Director of Bands, Dave Orehowsky
Hugh Arnold
Daniel Houck
Cooper Randall
Gavin Austin
Isabelle Houlihan
Clara Reed
Lucas Beresheim
Franklin Hung
Cole Render
Annie Bingel
Caroline Johansen
Tess Restori
Chloe Briggs
Sean Kaup
Dominic Rios
Owen Brown
Miles Kim
Chris Rodriguez
Nathan Brula
Sadie Kinast
Ashlyn Rudy
Delaney Budzina
Jason Lauducci
Maddy Scanlon
Christopher Chace
Jake Lieb
Alex Severns-
Kane Chapman
Sara Looney
Williams
Quinn Chapman
Matt Marnie
Sabrina Sharafi
Adrianna Cirillo
Aniya McCabe
Abby Shupe
Marco Concha
Paul McGinley
Cameron Silver
Emily Cook
Owen McKinley
Matthew South
Samuel D’Antonio
Kate Mester
Jeana Sullivan
Colin Duncan
Celia Minonne
Kate Swartz
Gavin Fitzgerald
Marigrace Murphy
Samuel Tatum
Aiden Fleming
Jay Nelson
Luke Tomase
Dean Francis
Jace Nolan
Rahul Vaidyanathan
Vivaldi Geffrard
Adon Perera
Haylen Vincenti
Sophia Gensley
Amelia Piercy
Eliana Wang
Mirko Ghobrial
O’Bryan Pierre
Annie Westrate
Christopher Ginestre
Aaron Prempeh
Kellianne White
Connor Grady
Randall Preston
Jack Wildes
AJ Hobbs
Jenn Qiang
Maddy Wilson
Alexander Holguin
Frank Quinn
Henry Hooper
Brendan Rainforth
THE VILLANOVA SINGERS, THE VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY CHORALE, AND THE VILLANOVA VOICES Choral Preparation by Christine Nass & Dr. Ted Latham Collaborative Pianists Ryan Fleming & Oxana Harlamova Laura Anastor-Walters Peyton Benfield Sadie Bengtson Chelsea Benincasa Jane Benvenuto Morgan Besson Steven Blanco Andy Boudo Kyle Brown Grayson Bucher Cheyenne Buerschinger Zach Buxton Jan Campbell Isabella Carire Katherine Carrasquillo Noah Chu Josh Chung Maura Clarke Parker Coates Isabella Corigliano Claire Costello Derick Denecke Mariana Diana Heather Dibble Maribella DiCenzo Alexandra Durish Max Ehler Kiernan Elliott Julianna Esposito Allyson Fagan Connor Feick Abby Fortune Lisa Franks Jimmy Ganosis Ann Goody Emmett Greer Camille Gross Sarah Hayevy MacKenna Healy Liv Hill
Peter Hilliard Emerson Hinson Finley Hood Steven Humes Sarah Jackson Chétana N. Jois Cole Joyce Mary Beth Kait Evelyn Kaler Andrew Karaskevicus Katy Karlin Elena Kazakova Brady Keane Maureen Kersting Sarah King Nora King Brianna Kirkpatrick Leena Krayyem Ben Langenbach MaryAnn Leshinskie Nick Leyesa Andrea Lutai Maria MacDonald Elizabeth Marafino Fiola Matthew Martinez Roman Mastromatteo Penelope McDonald Maya McKay Toffer Mihalka* Uliana Milchevskaya Giuseppe Modafferi Donleroy Morales* Ava Morrison Erin Morton Abbie Neiderer Kate Neilsen Angela Nguyen Mannan Pandey Sophia Parchuri Sophia Phillips
Rob Phillips* Claire Pilla Dominic Piscopo Megan Pongratz Madelyn Press Karen Ramella Jenna Reisinger Charles Riale Maura Ricci Olivia Richardson Teri Rissell Heather Roach Mary Ann Robinson Eden Rosini Ella Russell Brayden Santoli Joey Scerbo Lucas Scotto Tina Sheing Sydney Sheppard Nick Sherbondy Jaclyn Siegel Abigail Smith Selena Smith Emily St. Pierre Christine Stackhouse Sue Stein Ryan Stout Amanda Swiecki Grace Szeghy Ava Taylor Callan Towse Katie Troyanovich Andrew Trueman D’quan Tyson* Eric Van Zele David VanDamme Betty Wilson Faith Zantua * guest artist
VILLANOVA DANCE TEAM
Head Coach, Crystal Pizarro and Assistant Coach, Jessica Fought
Rowan Baglio Arianna Bara Giada Bosacco Sophie Cooper Abigail Cushman Julia Delaney Madalyn Delaney Margaret Dominik Tea Drouzas Jamie Duda Lily Flanagan Alexis Hammons Julia MacEwen
Tomasina Manning Cora McBee Teagan Piper Avery Pollackov Maya Ragan Jenna Rutnik Linda Sargent Kayla Sobieski Genevieve Spina Maya Sullivan Lily Trudwig Leilani Wiggins
THE SUPERLATIVE
Supported by Assistant Director of Dance, Manny Chacon
Laiona Canady Melissa Castro Kai Chakravadhanula Demi Cuello Castillo Yibela Gebretsadik Athenais James Kirandeep Kaur
Alexandra Miller Chelsea Mui MD Olaoye Peter Palma Isaac Rivers Victoria Thang Luciana Vaquero
Your EVERYTHING Orchestra Broadway à la Nero | OCTOBER 24TH
Broadway seen through the unmistakable lens of Peter Nero Hugh Panaro - Vocalist | Charlie Albright - Pianist Chris Dragon - Conductor | Philly Pops Chorus
La La Land in Concert | NOVEMBER 28TH
Revisit the 2016 Academy Award®-winning Lionsgate film, La La Land, in a swoon-worthy live concert experience.
A Philly Holiday Spectacular | DECEMBER 11 - 13TH
Join the Philly Pops in December as they deck the halls with Broadway stars, festive guests, and holiday favorites. Morgan James - Vocalist | Ryan Shaw - Vocalist Chris Dragon - Conductor | Philly Pops Chorus St. Thomas Gospel Choir | Philadelphia Boys Choir
ICON: The Voices That Changed Music | APRIL 3RD Celebrate the artists who defined the sound of contemporary popular music in full orchestral color. Capathia Jenkins - Vocalist Ryan Shaw - Vocalist Lucas Waldin - Conductor
SCAN or Visit
PhillyPops.org to learn more!
He lping families answer the o nly two financial que stions that can ke e p the m awake at night: Are we on track to make it (or—God forbid— will we someday have to move in with our kids)? Do we have any financial "blind spots" that could potentially devastate us or our family down the road?
W I T H
G R A T I T U D E
The Krump Family & Professor Iezzoni of VSB are proud to support the wonderful students of Villanova!
Learn how The Trinity Financial Process: Confidence, Clarity and Control,® can help you put all of the pieces of your financial puzzle together.
T imothy J . B runnock, E s q. Financial Advisor Class of 1987
GO CATS!
R y an B ru nnock Financial Advisor Class of 2017
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group and Trinity Financial Strategies are separate entities from LPL Financial.
Financial Club “You better lose yourself in the music The moment you own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow” Eminem Steve Ryan ’72, ’75
is proud to support Pops in the Pavilion
FULL SERVICE PRODUCTION PARTNER Local Expertise. National Production Capabilities.
Call us for more info
610-431-8200
OUR SERVICES VIDEO AUDIO LIGHTING
ABOUT US For more than 40 years, Advanced Staging Productions has partnered with organizations to deliver exceptional event production. From meetings and conferences to commencements, galas, and video production, we provide the audio, video, lighting, scenic, and creative expertise to make every event the big event!
905 Airport Rd. Ste. 400 West Chester, PA
LED WALLS VIDEO PRODUCTION IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION STUDIO
AdvancedStaging.com
info@advancedstaging.com
WARMINSTER
1544 Campus Dr Warminster, PA 18974 215-675-3555
CORPORATE OFFICE 8 Williams Street Elmsford, NY 10523 914-347-5656
19 Hagerty Blvd West Chester, PA 19382 610-344-9234
TO SEE ALL 62 LOCATIONS VISIT OUR WEBSITE
centralpros.com
WEST CHESTER
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Villanova’s Annual Day of Giving Celebrates 10 Years! Join our community in supporting the people, places and programs that make Villanova feel like home. Give early at villanova.edu/giveon1842
10
YEA
CT RS OF IMPA
Congressman Dwight E. Evans I always knew you were a star! Best wishes, Ala Stanford, MD, Byron Drayton, Marcia Penn, Dana and Doug Oliver
Opening October 2026 Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall
WELCOME, WELCOME, VILLANOVA FAMILIES! VILLANOVA FAMILIES! LET’S STAY STAY IN LET’S IN TOUCH! TOUCH! Scan here to join Scan here to join our mailing list... our mailing list...
...and follow ...and follow @villanovaparentandfamily @villanovaparentandfamily on Instagram! on Instagram!
2025-26 Scholarship Impact 16.8M in support was provided by donor-funded scholarships benefiting 1,082 students
76.4%
of aid applicants have demonstrated financial need. • The average donor-funded scholarship was $15,608. • The Villanova Grant awarded $101,752,360 in support of students with the average grant totaling $42,256.
Investing in Future Vil anovans
Scholarship support is a central pillar of Espiritus Nova, The Campaign for Villanova University. Through this effort, Villanovans are helping expand access to a Villanova education and create opportunities for talented students regardless of their financial circumstances. 450 endowed scholarships have been created, and $243.9M has been raised toward the $300M goal for scholarship support.
SAVE THE DATE September 24, 2027
A Concert for Student Scholarship villanova.edu/pops