08/13/2026
About CAAPA Co-Founders: Victor Simonson and Pamela Simonson Parker. (long post)
Victor Simonson made musical theater history when he stepped up to the podium as the first African American to conduct Hamilton. His work with the cultural phenomenon showcases his elite ability to handle incredibly demanding, fast-paced modern scores. His Role in the Show The "And Peggy" Tour: Simonson served as the Associate Music Director and Conductor for the acclaimed Hamilton "And Peggy" National Tour from May 2021 through January 2023.The Honolulu Finale: He famously led the musical's massive, highly celebrated run in Honolulu, Hawaii, shedding tears of joy from the pit during his emotional final performances conducting the show there.
Mastering the Score: In the conductor's chair for Hamilton, Simonson was responsible for driving the show's complex, non-stop tapestry of hip-hop, rap, R&B, and traditional Broadway show tunes while keeping the live orchestra and fast-spitting vocalists perfectly in sync.
A Career of Massive Hits: Following his historic run with Hamilton, Simonson's baton remained in high demand across the theater world. He transitioned into serving as the Music Director for the First National Tour of MJ The Musical, before taking over as the Conductor for the national tour of The Wiz.
Simonson is an acclaimed, multi-disciplinary composer, conductor, and pianist whose career spans musical theatre, classical music, gospel, and opera. Major Studio Albums & CD Features Victory! Introducing Victor Simonson (2008): His self-produced debut solo CD showcasing a "Neo-Eclectic" blend of smooth jazz, classical, gospel, and acoustic jazz. The tracklist features original compositions like "Give Your Life To Christ", "Let's Get Serious", and a personal track titled "Pamela". On My Journey Now: Spirituals and Hymns (Pentatone Records): A major collaborative album where Simonson served as the primary arranger and pianist alongside celebrated baritone Lester Lynch. Total Praise (2003): Simonson was a composer contributor to this Grammy-nominated CD, which featured his standout gospel composition, "Another Chance".God's By Design: Recorded by the Boys Choir of Harlem (for whom he served as Interim Music Director). The choir performs his gospel song, "I Will Give You All the Praise", both on this album and in international tours.Key Musical CollaborationsClassical & Opera Vocalists: He has a rich history as a collaborative pianist for world-renowned opera stars, including Denyce Graves, Angela Brown, Richard Leech, and Kate Aldrich. He also frequently collaborates in concert with his sister, soprano Pamela Simonson, performing as a unique brother-sister classical vocal duet. Gospel Icons: He orchestrated music for Donnie McClurkin's The McClurkin Project and accompanied gospel legend Shirley Caesar at the Ben Vereen Gala in New York City.
Theatrical Composer: He composed the entire musical score for James Baldwin's The Amen Corner at the Shakespeare Theatre Company and created the genre-bending "HipHopera" Stomping Grounds, which premiered at the Glimmerglass Festival. The groundbreaking, one-act "HipHopera" also featured a libretto by acclaimed playwright Paige Hernandez.
He has also worked closely with legendary figures like Richard Smallwood and Nolan Williams during his time as Director of Organ Music at the Metropolitan Baptist Church.
His Broadway Residency’s at the Kennedy Center include keyboard and assisted music staff when major national touring loops including The Lion King, Matilda, Wicked, The Addams Family, Evita, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and at Arena Stage: Bud, Not Buddy, West Side Story (National Symphony Orchestra): Served as the Cover Conductor for NSO, Into the Woods (2019), The Watsons Go to Birmingham (2019).
Simonson is also a major, incredibly influential figure in the history of Three Mo' Tenors. He served as a Musical Director, Conductor, and Pianist for the group. He actively led the live band from the piano during a highly successful stretch of national touring. He also famously led the group when they conducted the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center during the Whoopi Goldberg Mark Twain Awards. He has a massive legacy across both Marion J. Caffey’s projects and the broader Broadway world: The "Three Mo'" Universe: Beyond his extensive work directing the Tenors, Simonson was nominated for a prestigious Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical Direction for his work on the sister show, Three Mo' Divas.
Victor Simonson's academic background is deeply grounded in classical discipline, yet remarkably multi-faceted. He holds classical training in piano, voice, composition, and even theology.
Classical Music & Performance Degrees: The Manhattan School of Music (Preparatory Division): Simonson began serious training here from 1988 to 1991, focusing heavily on piano while taking up the trombone as a minor instrument.
Howard University: He attended the historic institution from 1992 to 1994 on a prestigious 4-year Presidential Scholarship, studying under the tutelage of Dr. Weldon Norris as a Piano major.
The Eastman School of Music: He then transitioned to the renowned conservatory in Rochester, NY, where he studied from 1994 to 1996. At Eastman, he expanded his artistic scope by majoring in Vocal Performance as a lyric baritone, while continuing rigorous piano and composition studies.Elite Mentorship throughout his musical training, Simonson studied under several monumental figures in classical music:
Piano: Studied with the legendary Rebecca Penneys and Dr. Raymond Jackson.
Voice: Trained in the studios of John Maloy and Michael Crouse.
Organ: Learned under Dr. Stanley Ralph (the father of Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph).
A Shift to Theology: Later in life, Simonson added an entirely new dimension to his education. In 2021, he graduated from the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., earning a Master of Divinity degree. This theological foundation directly informs his work as a composer of spiritual music and a leader in community arts ministries. He currently lives in a Washington, DC suburb with his wife Rev. Ciara Simonson, Senior Pastor of Michigan Park Christian Church, and his two children Victoria and Immanuel.
CAAPA Co-Founder Pamela Simonson Parker is an accomplished lyric soprano, educator, and arts advocate. Alongside her brother Victor, she has spent decades breaking barriers in the classical music world and giving back to the Black community through the performing arts.
An Operatic Powerhouse Pamela is an elite classical vocalist who has graced the stages of some of the most prestigious opera houses in the United States and across Europe. Her notable credits include performing with:The Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera. Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has earned widespread acclaim for her roles in core operatic repertoire, spanning classic productions like Porgy and Bess, Tosca, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Così fan tutte.
Beyond her vocal talents, Pamela is deeply dedicated to advocacy and building a pipeline for future generations of Black classical artists: CAAPA Co-Founder: In 2002, Pamela, Victor, and their mother co-founded CAAPA—the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts. The non-profit was born out of their desire to use their success to "give back," initially starting as a fund to provide youth scholarships and support struggling Black classical musicians by “Bringing Color to the Classics!”
Leadership and Education: Pamela currently serves as CAAPA’s Education Director. She channels her decades of stage experience directly into the community, leading "CAAPA Camp" and managing intensive K-8 music education and outreach programs.
Pamela Simonson’s solo career highlights her elite versatility as a full lyric soprano. Her work seamlessly spans the worlds of high-level opera, classical concert soloing, and sacred vocal choral music. Operatic Footprint: As a mainstage operatic artist. Gershwin Mastery: She has also been in productions of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. She is frequently booked as the guest soprano soloist for massive orchestral and choral masterworks, including Handel’s Messiah (famously performing showstoppers like "Rejoice Greatly") and traditional Bach and Mozart oratorios. Cultural Celebrations: She regularly lends her voice and presence to high-profile cultural productions. For instance, she has collaborated with chamber ensembles as a featured performer and narrator for major Juneteenth concert celebrations and regional music festivals. Sacred Music and Recordings: Deeply tied to her roots in the Black church, Pamela’s solo career is profoundly anchored in sacred music. In addition to her standard classical recital touring, she frequently performs as a guest artist for major church music workshop series, gospel-classical crossover galas, and sacred music recordings along the Eastern Seaboard. While she has stepped into leadership roles, she continues to maintain her professional singing schedule, striking a balance between elite stage performance and arts education.
Pamela Simonson Parker also works as a vocal music teacher for Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). She beautifully balances her high-profile operatic career with a deep commitment to public education right in the Maryland and D.C. metro area. Her Impact in PGCPS & Beyond Classroom Dedication: In her role as a PGCPS vocal music educator for Maya Angelou French Immersion (K-8), she brings her elite conservatory training from Eastman and Manhattan School of Music directly to local students, helping cultivate the next generation of musical talent.
Award-Winning Educator: Her stellar work within the Maryland school system and community has earned her significant recognition, including the prestigious Maryland State Educators' Award for Human and Civil Rights.
Connecting Schools to the Arts: Through her non-profit CAAPA (Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts), she frequently bridges the gap between professional classical musicians and local public school students. She coordinates masterclasses, performance opportunities, and educational workshops that heavily benefit PGCPS youth. Because of this incredible dual career as both an educator and an advocate, she was recently honored as the 2025 Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year by the Maryland State Arts Council.
Additionally, because Pamela is a celebrated, history-making member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), her family's incredible lineage and her connection to opera legend Marian Anderson are prominently featured in the historical audio-documentary series Daughter Dialogues by Reisha Rainey.
Pamela Simonson Parker co-wrote a beautiful family book titled Pearls of Wisdom From Three Generations with her grandmother Celia Deas Ford and mother Terri Simonson Allen. The award winning collection has been the center of the trio’s extensive speaking engagements, women’s groups and book tours.
Shared Academic Excellence Much like Victor, Pamela's career is anchored by an elite musical education. She holds degrees from both the Manhattan School of Music and the Eastman School of Music.
Pamela lives with her husband Richard Parker in Maryland, a DC suburb.
The Simonson siblings have an extraordinary musical ancestral legacy rooted in the American Revolutionary War through their maternal bloodline. Their mother, an amateur genealogist Terri Allen, traced their lineage back to a true founding hero: their 6th great-grandfather, William Stives.
A Revolutionary War Hero: William Stives (1757–1839) stepped up to fight for the birth of the nation. The Continental Army: In 1777, at around 17 or 18 years old, Stives enlisted for the entire duration of the war. He served in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Army.
The Black Fifer: Stives served as a fifer, a critical musical military role. In the chaos of 18th-century warfare, the high-pitched melodies of the fife were used to signal tactical orders to soldiers over the roar of gunfire, as well as to keep spirits high during long marches.
Crucial Battles: He marched and served directly under General George Washington. Stives survived the brutal, freezing winter encampments at Valley Forge and Jockey Hollow. He served and played the fife on the front lines of major historic conflicts, including the grueling heat of the Battle of Monmouth, the Battle of Springfield,Crossed the Delaware (Battle of Trenton), and fhe final seige American victory at Yorktown.
Signed by Washington: When the war concluded and the regiment disbanded, Stives was formally discharged from service. His official military discharge papers were personally signed by George Washington.
The Legacy of Sourland Mountain: Following his military service, Stives became one of the very first African American pioneers to settle on Sourland Mountain in New Jersey. He married indigenous Lenape, Catherine Vanois, built a home, and raised ten children. Generations of his family would continue to serve the country, including his grandson, Jonathan Stives, who fought in the Civil War.
Bringing the History to the Stage: The family's deep pride in this history heavily influences the artistic work of the Simonsons. Terri Allen authored a specialized musical tribute production titled Freedom's Fife: The William Stives Story. Co-presented by their non-profit, CAAPA, and other funders, the production honors their 6th great-grandfather's life. It frequently features Pamela Simonson Parker on vocals, keeping their ancestor's sacrifices, music, and Revolutionary legacy vibrally alive for modern audiences.
The show represents over 40 years of meticulous genealogical and historical research conducted by Allen, who is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Freedom’s Fife premiered at the CAAPA Cultural Center in Fort Washington, Maryland, Memorial Day (2023), and performed since then as an adaptation or full production at the MNCPPC’s Montpilier Arts Center (2026), Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Hopewell, New Jersey Memorial Day (2026); and the Middleburg Museum, Middleburg, Virginia (2026).
Since co-founding CAAPA in 2002, along with their mother Terri Allen, the siblings have made a significant musical impact in the world.
