Bernadette Peters
Guest Artist
Throughout her illustrious career, Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert, and on recordings. In 2003, she received her seventh Tony Award nomination for her electrifying portrayal of Momma Rose in Sam Mendes' record-breaking Broadway revival of Gypsy.
Peters made her Broadway debut in 1967 in Johnny No-Trump, and in 1968 starred with Joel Grey in the musical George M!, earning a Theatre World Award for her memorable portrayal of Josie Cohan. That same year, she received a Drama Desk Award for her show-stopping performance in the smash hit off-Broadway musical Dames at Sea, and quickly became one of the most sought-after stars in musical theatre. One of Broadway's brightest stars, Peters received both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her critically acclaimed performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Song and Dance.
A veteran of television, Peters has appeared on several PBS specials such as Evening at the Pops and The Kennedy Center Honors and other primetime TV series, including Fox's hit show Ally McBeal, for which she received an Emmy nomination. She is also a veteran of the silver screen, having appeared in 17 films throughout her distinguished career, including her Golden Globe-winning performance in Pennies From Heaven, The Jerk with Steve Martin, Silent Movie with Mel Brooks and Pink Cadillac with Clint Eastwood.
Peters devotes her time and talents to numerous events that benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Gay Men's Health Crisis, for whom she also performed in a benefit concert version of Anyone Can Whistle. Peters' "pet project" is Broadway Barks, an annual, star-studded dog adoption event, she founded with friend Mary Tyler Moore, benefiting animal shelters throughout New York. She resides in New York City and Los Angeles.
Artist Web site.
Thomas Wilkins
Guest Conductor
Thomas Wilkins's talent as a conductor takes him to stages all across the country. His warmth and vibrant personality toward our audience members is also why he's been invited back for the fourth time to this year's Symphony at Salk - A Concert Under the Stars.
This year, Wilkins began his first season as Principal Guest Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, which he will lead throughout the summer season. He was appointed Music Director of the Omaha Symphony in 2005 and marked his eight year as Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony during the 2007/2008 season.
Past positions have included Resident Conductor of the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay) and Associate Conductor of the Richmond (VA) Symphony. He has served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Wilkins is an energetic performer and educator who has served on the music faculties of North Park University in Chicago, University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. A native of Norfolk, VA., Wilkins resides in Michigan with his wife, Sheri-Lee and their twin daughters, Nicole and Erica.
San Diego Symphony
In the 99 years since its inception, the San Diego Symphony has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of the San Diego region, valued by and relevant to all its residents.
The San Diego Symphony offers a wide range of concert experiences and performs over 100 concerts each season, including an annual appearance at "Symphony at Salk." Symphony performances at downtown San Diego's historic Symphony Hall include the Jacobs' Masterworks series led by Music Director Jahja Ling, offering traditional classical repertoire; the Winter Pops series, featuring Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and popular guest artists; the Family Festival, featuring family friendly concerts; and the Symphony Exposed, a fascinating series of concerts that examine classical works from entertaining and thought-provoking angles. Each year, from July through September, the Symphony presents an outdoor Summer Pops season at Embarcadero Marina Park South, mixing classical favorites and pop music in a festive, outdoor atmosphere on San Diego's picturesque waterfront.