Artists

Katharine McPhee

Actress and Columbia recording artist Katharine McPhee spent the past two years shooting the highly anticipated Steven Spielberg/NBC TV series SMASH in New York City. Katharine is currently in the studio working on her next solo record. She co-starred in the Adam Sandler comedy movie hit House Bunny and in episodes of CSI-NY, Community and The Family Guy. Katharine was also featured on two PBS specials - Foster and Friends and Chris Botti in Boston alongside Sting, Andrea Bocelli and John Mayer.

Her self-titled debut album exploded onto the Billboard 200 in 2007 and was ranked the best chart debut for a female artist in two years. In addition to her acting and singing career, Katharine is a passionate philanthropist and currently is the celebrity ambassador for Malaria No More. (www.mcpheeoutreach.org)

Thomas Wilkins

One of the country’s most distinguished conductors, Maestro Thomas Wilkins returns to lead the San Diego Symphony for the ninth successive year. A highly sought-after guest conductor for top orchestras throughout the United States, Wilkins always brings a special energy and excitement to each performance, which is why he’s been invited back to Symphony at Salk—a concert under the stars.

Wilkins is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and he continues his role as the Music Director of the Omaha Symphony. Past positions include Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony as well as the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay), and Associate Conductor of the Richmond Symphony (Virginia). He has also served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Wilkins was recently named the Boston Symphony’s “Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor.” A native of Norfolk, VA, Wilkins resides in Omaha with his wife, Sheri-Lee, and their twin daughters Nicole and Erica.