ABOUT POPERAZZI
A Dynamic Pop-Opera Vocal Trio
Elegant, Versatile, Entertaining, High Energy and Sexy; these are just some of the words used to describe “POPERAZZI.” Blurring the boundaries between classical and popular music, this new dynamic vocal trio recently burst onto the Symphony Pops scene delighting thousands with their diverse vocal prowess and captivating stage presence. From Opera to Rock, Pavarotti to Whitney Houston, Sinatra to The Jersey Boys, these young, sexy, and versatile entertainers are like a classic Vegas martini, performing a delicate musical mix of vocal music with a twist!
Tenors George DeMott and Cody Shawn Gay and soprano Janien Valentine make up POPERAZZI. This explosive trio’s original style is uplifting, and energetic with performances that are not only relevant to today’s Pop-Opera genre but groundbreaking in its originality. These diverse entertainers have worked in some of the premier opera houses in North America and Europe as well as being featured in some of the top shows on the Las Vegas Strip.
Poperazzi’s Symphony Pops shows feature a captivating and varied span of musical styles celebrating the music of Italy and songs popularized by Italian Americans. The shows are delighting audiences with Symphony Pops Orchestra performances across the United States and Canada including New Year’s Eve with Atlanta Symphony as well as Houston, Philadelphia, Edmonton, Jacksonville, Pasadena, Modesto, Indianapolis, Detroit, Corpus Christi, and Naples (FL). They’ve also been featured on a PBS broadcast from Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to performing at sea on cruise lines as well as corporate events internationally, Poperazzi enjoys headline entertaining at casino showrooms in Las Vegas.
MEET THE TRIO
George DeMott
Janien Valentine
Janien Valentine
Classically trained tenor George DeMott is a mix of classic masculinity and charm by capturing the essence of great singers from days gone by with his unique contemporary style. Singing opera to pop and everything in between, his performances have captured the hearts of listeners around the world. He has performed several classic Tenor ro
Classically trained tenor George DeMott is a mix of classic masculinity and charm by capturing the essence of great singers from days gone by with his unique contemporary style. Singing opera to pop and everything in between, his performances have captured the hearts of listeners around the world. He has performed several classic Tenor roles and has also been the winner of several awards and competitions that include the 1993 Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition’s regional finals in Los Angeles. Additionally, George has traveled the world singing and entertaining with Crystal Cruises for over a decade.
Janien Valentine
Janien Valentine
Janien Valentine
Performing has always been in the cards for Janien Valentine. She has been singing and dancing since age 5 and has grown to become a versatile and powerful chanteuse. After graduating cum laude with a BFA she took a train to NYC to try her luck. She landed her first audition for a show in Las Vegas called "Starlight Express."
Almost 18
Performing has always been in the cards for Janien Valentine. She has been singing and dancing since age 5 and has grown to become a versatile and powerful chanteuse. After graduating cum laude with a BFA she took a train to NYC to try her luck. She landed her first audition for a show in Las Vegas called "Starlight Express."
Almost 18 years calling Las Vegas home and Janien is still making waves and getting great reviews for her work both in and outside of Las Vegas. You may have heard Ms. Valentine when she co-starred alongside Clint Holmes or more recently co-starring with the first family of entertainment in Las Vegas, The Scintas! She has also starred in three world premier musicals "Notre Dame De Paris", "Men Are From Mars, Woman Are From Venus" and her personal favorite "Carmen" starring in the title role for the La Jolla Playhouse with Cirque founder Franco Dragone as Director. The Las Vegas Review Journal and the Las Vegas Sun have voted her BEST FEMALE SINGER and THESPIAN.
Although she is very proud of all of her accomplishments thus far she is most proud of her beautiful children Sabrina and Nico.
Cody Shawn Gay
Janien Valentine
Cody Shawn Gay
Joining Poperazzi from Colorful Colorado, tenor Cody Shawn Gay brings a remarkable diversity of vocal range, musical talent and performance experience. After completing extensive studies in vocal performance and musical theater at Mesa Colorado University, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Urbino, Italy, he went on to
Joining Poperazzi from Colorful Colorado, tenor Cody Shawn Gay brings a remarkable diversity of vocal range, musical talent and performance experience. After completing extensive studies in vocal performance and musical theater at Mesa Colorado University, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Urbino, Italy, he went on to perform at venues worldwide from the House of Blues to Tanglewood. Some of Cody’s favorite past performances include roles from Jesus to Jekyll and as a “front man” for FUSE at The Bellagio’s legendary Fontana room.
Cody currently divides his time between performing internationally with Poperazzi and writing, producing and recording at New ELM Media based in Centennial Colorado.
SHOW OFFERINGS
VIVA ITALIA
From rock to opera, Sinatra to Michael Jackson, and Pavarotti to choreographed hitss from Jersey Boys, this show present hundreds of years of musical tradition in a fresh, high energy, and contemporary format.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
This nostalgic show presents lots of warm and fuzzy holiday and seasonal favorites. It's fun for the whole family sung with Poperazzi's signature wide range of musical styles, laughs, tears, and even some dancing too!
REVIEWS
Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor of the Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville Symphonies, and
“Poperazzi delivers a high energy, extremely entertaining program of Italian favorites. Their combined skill and versatility allow them to cover a wide spectrum of styles from opera to swing to pop. Their talent, enthusiasm and professionalism shine through, guaranteeing a concert audiences will surely love.”
Charlie Wade, VP for Marketing and Symphony Pops - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
"Poperazzi is an absolute delight on stage and off. Their program was a hit with our audiences (many of whom were suddenly of Italian descent) so much so that we have rebooked the show for the coming season."
Rob McAlear, Director of Artistic Operations, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
“Poperazzi delighted our pops audience with a high-spirited, amusing, family-friendly and entertaining program of familiar music, all smashingly performed with gusto. It’s always a pleasure working with experienced professionals who immediately establish a confident and friendly rapport with our patrons. We received a slew of excited comments from happy patrons who enjoyed Poperazzi’s concerts immensely.”
Lora Unger, Pasadena Symphony Pops General Manager
"Simply entertaining, feel good music. The people in the audience were dancing in the aisles!"
Review from The Indianapolis Examiner
"….After the orchestra set the appropriate festive mood for the evening, opening the concert with the familiar Balli il Tarantella!, the trio was introduced. The group then proceeded to demonstrate their extraordinary vocal talents as they sang Brindisi:‘Libiamo ne lieti calici’ from La Traviata. It was a real harbinger of all the first-rate entertainment yet to come. Valentine further showed off her operatic skills, singing a sparkling rendition of Puccini’s O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi with a voice pristine in tone. She was followed by Gay whose pleasing tenor voice soared as he sang popular Italian composer Cesare Andrea Bixio’s sentimental Mama. DeMott also shined, showing off his spectacular range and vocal power, in a salute to his idol, Luciano Pavarotti. The medley included la Donna e Mobile from Rigoletto, La Danza by Rossini, and a Neapolitan song, Torna a Surriento by Ernesto De Curtis….
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