Sean O’Loughlin, conductor

Sean O’Loughlin (b.1972) is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Victoria Symphony and the Principal Pops Conductor of the Syracuse Orchestra. His diverse background includes collaborations with some of the leading symphonies and popular artists of today. As a conductor, he has led performances with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the Vancouver Symphony and the San Diego Symphony amongst others. He has served as conductor for symphony tours with Josh Groban, Sarah McLachlan, The Decemberists and the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration. He has appeared on Good Morning America and the PBS Special “Stages” with Josh Groban in addition to NBC’s “A Very Pentatonix Christmas.”

Recent collaborations include such artists as Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, Journey, a-ha, Jason Mraz, The Beach Boys, Sarah McLachlan, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Pentatonix, Kelly Clarkson, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Blue Man Group, Janelle Monáe, Audra McDonald, Hall and Oates, the Indigo Girls, The Go-Go’s, Bonnie Raitt, Pink Martini, Brandi Carlile, Weird Al Yankovic, Melissa Etheridge and others. Through his growing number of commissioned and published works, Sean is excited to continue contributing to the rich history of orchestral and wind band literature. His music is published by Excelcia Music, Hal Leonard and Carl Fischer. An annual ASCAP Special Awards winner, Sean was a composition fellow at the Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles, and holds composition degrees from New England Conservatory and Syracuse University.

Sal Ferreras, percussion

Sal Ferreras has enjoyed a varied and diverse career as a performing artist and producer, educator, and artistic administrator. His music, dance, and theatre performances and collaborations in classical music, world music, jazz, new music, Indigenous music, improvisation, folk, and children’s music have taken him around the world. He was principal percussionist of the CBC Vancouver Orchestra under maestro Mario Bernardi and has toured and recorded as a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony, Viveza, and the World Drums percussion orchestra. During the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games he was the artistic director of the highly successful Four Host First Nations Aboriginal Pavilion. 

Ferreras was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2002 and awarded the City of Vancouver’s Mayor’s Award for Music in 2010. He has performed on JUNO and GRAMMY-winning recordings with diverse artists, including k.d. lang, Chicago, Robbie Robertson, Raffi, Colin James, Hedley, and Viveza, in addition to the CBC Radio Orchestra, and the luminary musicians who share tonight’s stage. 

Adonis Puentes, vocalist

Adonis Puentes is a name that resonates with warmth and rhythm. Born in the vibrant town of Artemisa, Cuba, music flows through his veins, thanks to his father, Valentin Puentes, a respected musician and teacher. It’s no surprise that Puentes picked up a guitar at just six years old, joining his father’s children’s ensemble where he first learned to express himself through music. 

Fast forward to 14, and he was crafting his own original songs. Puentes early creations were just a taste of the poetic and sensuous song cycles that would later define his independently released albums. In 1998, he took a big leap and moved to Canada. But instead of leaving his passion behind, he embraced it wholeheartedly. He continued to refine his craft, composing, performing, and touring, sharing his unique sound with audiences far and wide. 

With the highly anticipated release of his fifth self-composed album in late 2025, fans can look forward to another chapter in his evolving sound. This will be his fifth independent release. 

With every note, Puentes invites listeners on a journey that reflects his rich cultural roots and personal experiences, making his artistry feel both intimate and universal. Whether he’s singing a soft ballad or a lively tune, you can feel the passion and authenticity in every performance. If you haven’t yet discovered his music, you’re in for a treat—Adonis Puentes is a true gem in the world of music!