WELCOME

Twenty years ago, Congressional Chorus launched what has become one of our most beloved traditions: Cabaret. And this year, we're marking the milestone by doing something we've never done before — crossing the Atlantic.

British Invasion, American Story traces the wave of British artists who stormed American airwaves in the 1950s and 60s and the homegrown legends who rose to answer them—from the Beatles to the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones to the Jackson 5, and Elton John to the Spice Girls. It’s a musical journey bridging voices from two shorelines, woven into one unforgettable evening that spans generations and genres.

Share your (flash-free) photos and videos from the Cabaret and don’t forget to tag us!

 ACT I

INVASION

British Invasion Medley

Arranged by Allan Laiño
Congressional Chorus
Dance Team

You Really Got Me

Words and Music by Ray Davies
Arranged by Allan Laiño
Congressional Chorus
Dance Team
Mike Krause and Kristina Kelly, soloists

The Way I Feel Inside

Will Melendez, soloist

To Sir with Love

Lyn Donaghy, soloist

ECHOES

God Only Knows

Recorded by the Beach Boys
Words and Music by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher
Arranged by Ed Lojeski
Congressional Chorus

Blackbird

Words and Music by The Beatles
Arranged by MaryAnne Muglia
Congressional Chorus
Rosalie Person, soloist

Because

Words and Music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Arranged by Alex Pringle
Congressional Chorus
Robbie Angarone, soloist

The Windmills of Your Mind

Megan Stoddard, soloist

FEVER

Walk On By

Elvira Martinez, soloist

Sneakin’ Up On You

Emily Dalton, soloist

The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)

Leah Shedrow, Emily Dalton, Elvira Martinez, soloists

I Want You Back

Words and Music by Deke Richards, Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy, Jr., Freddie Perren
Arranged by Allan Laiño
 Congressional Chorus
[Dance Team]
[Tap Team]

Rachel Schotz, William Simpson, soloists

15 MINUTE INTERMISSION

ACT II

IGNITION

Start Me Up/Livin’ on a Prayer

Recorded by The Cast of Glee
Words and music by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Arranged by Adam Anders and and Tim Davis, adapted by Ed Lojeski
Congressional Chorus
[Dance Team]

I’ve Got the Music in Me

Marjorie Atya, soloist

I’m Still Standing

Rosalie Toupin, soloist

Spice Girls Medley

Robbie Angarone, Jessica Ault, Karen Dowling, Kelly Griffin, Devon Gunn, soloist

HEART

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

Asha Iyer, soloist

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me

Michael Brewer, Brian Nido, soloists

Songbird

Erin Fernandez, Jonathan Lain, LeighAnne Markaity, soloists
Jonathan Lain, guitar

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Composed by Paul Simon
Arranged by Daryl McKenzie
Christopher Valentine, soloist

LEGACY

Bohemian Rhapsody

Words and Music by Freddie Mercury
Congressional Chorus
Max Toscano, Abby McDonough, Kristina Kelly, Carolyn Robbins, soloists

Don’t Stop Me Now

Words and Music by Freddie Mercury
Arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Congressional Chorus
[Dance Team]
Kristina Kelly, Carolyn Robbins, soloists

Hey Jude

Words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Arranged by Mark Brymer 
Congressional Chorus

Lyrics

Hey Jude, don’t make it bad, 

take a sad song and make it better.

Remember to let her into your heart, 

then you can start to make it better.

Hey Jude, don’t be afraid. 

You were made to go out and get her.

The minute you let her under your skin, 

then you begin to make it better.

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, 

don’t carry the world upon your shoulders.

For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool

 by making his world a little colder.

Na na na na na na na na na.

Hey Jude, don’t let me down.

You have found her, now go and get her.

Remember to let her into your heart,

then you can start to make it better, better, better, better, oh!

Na na na na na na na na na….

 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Allan Laiño, Artistic Director

A conductor of remarkable versatility and vision, American Prize winner Allan Laiño is a leader dedicated to reshaping the landscape of American choral artistry. As a second-generation Filipino-American with wide-ranging musical influences, he believes in creating environments where all voices can flourish, from the nation’s most prominent stages to its most intimate communities. 

Laiño’s work is sought after by the world’s leading performing arts institutions. He has prepared choral ensembles for the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop, the LA Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel, and for pops conductors Jack Everly and Steven Reineke. His ensembles have been featured in the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, on tour with Josh Groban, and in numerous televised broadcasts, including the Kennedy Center Honors (CBS), CNN’s Live from the Capitol, and EWTN’s Annual Christmas Concert, which reached over 140 countries. His conducting has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and Opera House, and Lincoln Center.

As the fourth Artistic Director of the Congressional Chorus, Laiño champions the full breadth of the American choral experience. He has expanded the chorus’s mission by commissioning new works and forging innovative partnerships with artists from diverse and underrepresented communities. He is also the Co-Artistic Director of Bridge, a professional ensemble with which he produced and directed the award-winning short film America, You’re Beautiful, a fusion of spoken word and choral music that examines racism in America and won top honors at multiple film festivals.

Dr. Laiño’s commitment to mentorship plays a pivotal role in molding the future of vocal music. As Principal Conductor and Chief Musical Officer for the National Children’s Chorus, he guides the organization's most advanced ensembles and college preparatory programs. He serves as an artistic and executive leader, shaping the experience for hundreds of young musicians and families. From 2016–2021, he served on the choral conducting faculty at The Catholic University of America, where he directed the University Singers and mentored graduate students.

A decorated artist, Laiño earned First Prize at the World Choir Games, The American Prize for Community Chorus, and was a finalist for The American Prize in Composition. In 2021, he was honored with The Outstanding Filipinos in America award, presented at Carnegie Hall. He has performed as a professional chorister with the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington National Cathedral, Chantry, and the Pacific Chorale.

Dr. Laiño holds a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Maryland, an M.F.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of California, Irvine, and a B.A. in Voice/Music from UCI.

Sean Burns, Principal Pianist

Sean Burns is a Philadelphia-area native who relocated to Washington, DC in 2021. In addition to his work as Principal Pianist for Congressional Chorus, he currently serves as the organist at First Baptist Church of Washington, DC as well as Collaborative Pianist at Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Sean completed formal organ study at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ in 2016, where he studied with Alan Morrison and earned a Master of Music in Organ Performance. Before moving to DC, he served as the principal organist first at Corpus Christi Church and later at Abington Presbyterian Church, both in suburban Philadelphia.

Beyond the walls of the church, Sean has used his extensive love and knowledge of opera to serve as an accompanist for young singers who are either pursuing upper-level studies or who are at the forefront of a professional career. At the academic level, Sean has worked with voice students at Westminster as well as Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Professionally, he worked at Sarasota Opera House in Florida along with the summer programs CoOPERAtive in Princeton, NJ and Canto in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sean also holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and pursues occasional pro bono opportunities.

Maya Williams, Choreographer

Maya is a professional dancer with over 25 years of training. She has spent three seasons with the Washington Commanders Command Force, including one as co-captain, and toured internationally with Tour 66, performing for military communities in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. She has also led as a Junior Force coach for two years and served as fitness committee lead for one.

Maya is also a 305 Fitness dance cardio instructor, where she leads high-energy classes centered on self-love and joy.

She is a proud graduate of St. John’s University, where she was a four-year member of the dance team and part of the UDA Hip Hop National Championship title in 2016. In addition to her work on the field and in the studio, Maya serves as lead choreographer for the Congressional Chorus, now in her second year.

Kyle Rice, Guitar

Kyle Rice is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and recent graduate of Howard University from Aliceville, Alabama. His musical journey began at eleven, first picking up the guitar, leading him to bass, then piano, and the present. Studying jazz guitar during his time in school, he was a member of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE), playing at the Calvin Jones UDC Big Band Jazz Festival and Blues Alley, while also recording on four of the ensemble's albums. In the last year and a half, he has completed runs of “American Idiot”, “Mamma Mia”, “Sonnets and Soul”, “The Lightning Thief”, and hopes to keep progressing and developing through his work and career.

Chris Barrick, Drums

Chris Barrick is a DC-based drummer, vibraphonist, and percussionist with a wide variety of experience in multiple genres of music. As an orchestral percussionist, he has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the American Pops Orchestra, as well as extended theater productions and shows with the Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), the Kennedy Center and Signature Theater. As a jazz vibraphonist and drummer, Chris has performed and recorded with many great musicians in Cincinnati and DC, including Brad Myers, whose 2015 recording Prime Numbers earned a four star review in Downbeat Magazine, Mike Sharfe, Rusty Burge, John Von Ohlen, Steve Schmidt, Allyn Johnson, Eliot Seppa, Lenny Robinson, Elijah Jamal Balbed, and Abinnet Berhanu. He currently teaches percussion at Howard University.

Matthew Majors, Bass

Matt is a cellist and bassist from the Northern Virginia area. During the day, he works as a DevOps engineer at a large financial institution. After spending nearly 20 years playing his cello in numerous orchestras, small ensembles, and musical theater pits, he decided he wanted to go even lower and bought his first bass guitar. Since then, Matt has been slappin' fast and loose in shows including The Prom (Reston Community Players), Kinky Boots (Little Theatre of Alexandria), Matilda (LTA), Rent (Dominion Stage), and most recently in School of Rock (LTA) and Something Rotten! (Good Shepherd Players). In his free time, Matt enjoys playing board games and painting miniatures for both gaming and competition. Matt sends his love to his wife Chelsea, for always encouraging him and for being his #1 fan!

CONGRESSIONAL CHORUS

Soprano

Abigail Cahn-Gambino

*Ali Ruth

Allison Moody

Ariel White

Asha Iyer

Chris Zhu

†Elvira Martinez

Erin Campbell

Erin Ennis

Jean Godwin

†Jessica Ault

†Karen Dowling

Kate Burkett

†Kristina Caggiano Kelly

†Leah Shedrow

*LeighAnne Markaity

LuTisha Buckner

Mechelle King

Nora Douglas

Ohvia Muraleetharan

Paula Burzio

Sarah McNeal

Serra Schlanger

Tessa Burzio

Valerie Lehman

Board of Directors

Kristina Caggiano Kelly, President

Amit Singh, Vice President

Jahnissi Tirado, Treasurer

Elizabeth Kaehler, Secretary

Ihamna Cubillos Valencia, member

Serra Schlanger, member

Allan Laiño, Artistic Director, ex officio

Arman Amini, Executive Director, ex officio

Production

All Stage & Sound | Audio, Lighting, Staging

Alexander Aloisio | Production Assistant

Tim Pennington-Russell | Audio & Video Recording

Ihamna Cubillos Valencia | Graphic Design

Dawn Arteaga, Katie DeFonzo, Allan Laiño | Program Design

Credits and Acknowledgements

This concert is made possible in part by support from

The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation
Capitol Hill Community Foundation
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Eugene M. Lang Foundation
Menezes Jennings Family Charitable Fund
Nora Roberts Foundation
Share Fund
Texas Instruments Foundation
Congressional Chorus members 
& loyal supporters