Central Florida Vocal Arts

08/22/2026

Part 2: This time, we’re checking in with Music Director and Conductor, Chevalier Lovett, as Songs for a New World comes together with our CFVA vocalists and the CFCArts orchestra at our sitzprobe rehearsal.

This collaboration has a special hometown connection for Chevalier. He's a Winter Park native who went to high school with CFVA Executive Director Theresa Smith-Levin — and the two have known each other for more than 2 decades. He’s making his CFVA debut as Music Director for Songs For A New World.

In this behind-the-scenes interview during sitzprobe, Chevalier "Chev" talks about the four characters at the heart of Songs for a New World and shares his thoughts on bringing Jason Robert Brown’s powerful score to life, leading both the voices on stage and the live orchestra.

🎭 Songs for a New World
August 28–30 | Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
Tickets: www.centralfloridavocalarts.org/events

08/22/2026

Part 1:
There’s a moment in every production when everything starts to feel real. This was that moment.
Director McKenzie Po***ck McKenzie Po***ck is taking us inside the sitzprobe for Songs for a New World — the first time our CFVA cast did a full run through of the show with the live CFCArts orchestra instead of the piano they’ve been rehearsing with.
And according to McKenzie? After hearing what happened in that rehearsal, audiences are going to be blown away.

This collaboration brings a beautiful energy to Jason Robert Brown’s incredible score, and we can’t wait for you to experience what happens when these voices and these musicians come together live at Dr. Phillips Center next weekend.

Keep following as we take you inside rehearsals, hear more from McKenzie Po***ck, our director and the creative talent bringing Songs for a New World to life.

The countdown is ON. 🎶
Songs for a New World | August 28–30
Tickets: centralfloridavocalarts.org/events

08/17/2026

Supporting the arts can look like this. ❤️

When local businesses choose to support local arts organizations, it's doing more than placing an ad in a Playbill.
It's helping put artists on our stages. It's helping ensure that creativity and expression through music continues to have a home in Central Florida.

We’re so grateful to Ricci Culver Through the Looking Glass for choosing to invest in the work of Central Florida Vocal Arts as a Playbill advertiser this season.

And to our fellow local business owners: there’s a place for you in this story, too.
Sponsor a production. Advertise in our Playbill. Partner with us! Because when local businesses support the arts, the entire community gets a little more connected.

There are so many ways to put your business behind the artists, students and stories that make this community extraordinary.

Support local. Support artists. Keep the arts alive. ✨

PARTNER WITH US: https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/partnerships/

08/14/2026

Meet McKenzie Po***ck, Director of Songs for a New World and a longtime member of the CFVA creative family.

If you’ve been following CFVA, there’s a good chance you’ve already experienced McKenzie’s artistry. She’s appeared on our stages as Marian Paroo in The Music Man and Petra in A Little Night Music, swung multiple roles in Dracula the Musical, choreographed The Pirates of Penzance, and served as Assistant Director for Scalia/Ginsburg.

Now, she’s bringing all of those perspectives together to lead Songs for a New World.

McKenzie’s career has taken her into nearly every corner of storytelling—as a singer, actor, dancer, choreographer, music director, casting professional, and now director. Her work has included Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Entertainment, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, film, theme park entertainment, and productions throughout Central Florida.

That breadth of experience makes her an exciting creative voice for a show that asks us to look closely at people, choices, relationships, and the moments that change everything.

We love watching artists grow with CFVA, take on new challenges, and bring everything they’ve learned back to our stages. We can’t wait for you to experience Songs for a New World through McKenzie’s vision.
TICKETS: https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/events/

08/12/2026

Now booking for "the season". We're talking galas, conferences, magazine launch parties, community events and more!

If you’re creating an experience worth remembering, skip the playlist. BRING THE MUSIC!

Hire CFVA artists for your event.
From intimate gatherings to grand stages,
live music changes everything and our talent pool of artists set the standard.

Performers in: vocals, guitar, keyboard, violin, harp, saxophone and more.


Now Booking. Visit CentralFloridaVocalArts.org/bookings

08/11/2026

Songs for a New World takes the stage August 28–30, 2026 at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, bringing together an extraordinary cast of Central Florida artists and the Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra for a powerful opening to our Of Dreams and Nightmares season.

Investing in the arts can take many forms. Sometimes, it looks as simple as buying a ticket, taking your seat and showing up for the artists who make this work possible.

Come see the talent. Experience the music. Fill the theater.

Help us kick off 15 years of CFVA in a way worthy of this milestone.

GET YOUR TICKETS →
https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/events/

Experience Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World, a powerful musical journey exploring love, hope, fear and the moments that change our lives forever.

08/10/2026

Meet Kylee Taylor, Lighting Designer for Songs for a New World and one of the artists helping shape how audiences experience every moment of this production.

An Orlando-based Lighting Designer, Sound Engineer, and Video Designer, Kylee has built an impressive body of work across Central Florida and beyond. Her lighting design credits include the national tour of Disenchanted!, Lizzie! with Florida Theatrical Association, Winnie’s Rock Cauldron Cabaret at Dr. Phillips Center, and The Wizard of Oz Jr. at Orlando Family Stage.

CFVA audiences may also recognize Kylee's work from Sunday in the Park with George, which earned a Critics Pick for Lighting Design in the Orlando Sentinel's Best of Theater.

Kylee is also founder and Technical Director of the improv dance company Quantum Leap Productions.
We're thrilled to have Kylee returning to CFVA to help bring the stage of Songs for a New World to life.

08/10/2026

"It's about arming young people to go out into the world to be catalysts for good."

Since 2012, CFVA has helped tens of thousands of young people discover their confidence, find their voice and find opportunity and belonging.

Throughout the month of August we're taking you behind the curtain. We're showing you the students who find their voice through Arts 1:1. The performers balancing careers with their passion for the stage. And the educators and supporters who make it all possible!
Because our work is so much more than music.

The Arts aren't extra. They're essential.

To learn about ways to support our meaningful work visit CentralFloridaVocalArts.org/support

08/10/2026

We’re proud to see Central Florida Vocal Arts featured in the Orlando Sentinel Orlando Sentinel as part of an incredible investment in the future of the arts in our community.

CFVA was recently awarded an $80,000 grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation to strengthen our education leadership, expand access to arts education and build the organizational capacity needed to serve our community for years to come.

For us, this investment means making sure more students, artists and community members have a place to learn, create, perform and discover what’s possible through the arts.

We’re grateful to the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation for believing in this work and to Matt Palm and the Orlando Sentinel for shining a light on the organizations working to keep the arts thriving across Central Florida.

The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation has been building community since 1973 with its grants. The latest round benefits the local arts scene.

08/08/2026

CFVA opens the 2026-2027 season with Jason Robert Brown’s acclaimed contemporary song cycle, exploring the life-changing moments that define who we become.

Through powerful storytelling and emotionally charged music, Songs for a New World examines hope, fear, love, and the courage required to step into the unknown.

Joined by the Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra Central Florida Community Arts this concert event promises an unforgettable evening of live orchestral and vocal performance.

Visit CentralFloridaVocalArts.org/events for details and ticket links