Symphonica Productions
At Symphonica Productions, we reenvision the concert experience for audiences of all ages. Our shows reflect themes and stories that are at the forefront of pop culture making our shows relevant to children and adults alike. The familiarity of our themed shows and our focus on storytelling and drama provide an inviting setting for concert-goers to interact with classical music whether it's their first time or latest of many.
Our Team
Enrico Lopez-Yañez
Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Enrico Lopez-Yañez is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony and Pacific Symphony as well as the Principal Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Presents. This season Lopez-Yañez has been named Principal Pops Conductor Designate of the Detroit Symphony, a position he will begin in the 24/25 season. Lopez-Yañez is quickly establishing himself as one of the Nation’s leading conductors of popular music and becoming known for his unique style of audience engagement. Also an active composer/arranger, he has been commissioned to write for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Houston Symphony, San Diego Symphony and Omaha Symphony, and has had his works performed by orchestras including the Atlanta Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, National Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Utah Symphony among others.
Lopez-Yañez has conducted concerts with a broad spectrum of artists including: Nas, Patti LaBelle, Ledisi, Itzhak Perlman, Cody Fry, Stewart Copeland, Kenny Loggins, Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Leslie Odom Jr., Renee Elise Goldsberry, Portugal The Man, Cody Fry, Hanson, The Beach Boys, Kenny G and more. Lopez-Yañez also conducts the annual Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th fireworks show which is televised annually on CMT reaching millions of viewers across the nation.
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As a producer, composer, and arranger, Lopez-Yañez’s work can be heard on numerous albums including the UNESCO benefit album Action Moves People United and children’s music albums including The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard, winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Hollywood Music and Media Awards, Family Choice Awards and Kokowanda Bay, winner of a Global Media Award as well as a Parents’ Choice Award where Lopez-Yañez was lauded for his “catchy arrangements” (Parents’ Choice Foundation).
Jessica Slais
General Director & Co-Founder
Jessica Slais is the Vice President of Artistic Administration at the Nashville Symphony, overseeing the programming of classical, pops, and special concerts, and collaborating on concert planning and other presentations at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Previously, Slais was the Vice President of Artistic Planning at the Omaha Symphony, where she developed numerous original pops shows in addition to managing the programming of six concert series. Before taking up the role of artistic planner, she was acting general manager for the 2010/11 season. Slais started her orchestra career as a music librarian and served as head librarian at the Omaha Symphony for twelve seasons.
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Jessica was a fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, and studied clarinet performance at Concordia College, Moorhead MN.