The American Pops Orchestra
The American Pops Orchestra is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit founded in 2015 that produces live orchestral concerts blending popular and classical genres, national PBS broadcast specials, and free educational outreach programs serving underserved schools and collegiate musicians across all 50 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The American Pops Orchestra does
The American Pops Orchestra (APO) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2015 by Maestro Luke Frazier. The organization presents live orchestral performances that fuse popular and classical genres, performed at venues including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, and the Library of Congress. APO has produced over 30 national PBS broadcast specials, distributed through PBS Passport, spanning Broadway repertoire, sacred music, Indigenous music, and original orchestrations featuring artists such as Patti LaBelle, Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Moreno, and Vanessa Williams.
APO operates a portfolio of complementary programs: MainStage Concerts (ticketed live performances), APOxPBS Broadcast Specials (nationally televised productions), Children's Outreach Tours (free performances for underserved K-12 schools), the NextGen National Vocal Competition (for collegiate vocalists), and the Ruth Wales Du Pont Collegiate Composition Competition (launched in 2025 with Winterthur Museum). The organization's educational outreach has reached over 750,000 students cumulatively, with 300,000+ reached in 2024-2025 across all 50 states through virtual programming. APO also holds a unique designation as an official Arts Envoy of the U.S. Department of State.
APO's revenue model is diversified across four streams: ticket sales (via Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, and venue box offices), individual donations and the APO Family supporter program, PBS broadcast partnership/sponsorship, and corporate sponsorships. As a nonprofit, the organization does not publicly disclose financials. The 21-person staff operates leanly while supporting a national production and touring footprint. APO's GTM is event-driven and community-led, combining live concert series, national PBS broadcasts, digital livestreams on Facebook and YouTube, and educational outreach to schools and collegiate musicians.
The American Pops Orchestra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The American Pops Orchestra
- Legal name
- The American Pops Orchestra
- Website
- https://theamericanpops.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The American Pops Orchestra is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit founded in 2015 that produces live orchestral concerts blending popular and classical genres, national PBS broadcast specials, and free educational outreach programs serving underserved schools and collegiate musicians across all 50 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The American Pops Orchestra industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Orchestral Services
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Sound Recording Studios (51224)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Music & Performance Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAK), Arranging & Orchestration (MPAIAHAG), Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)
Keywords
Where The American Pops Orchestra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The American Pops Orchestra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from concert tickets sold through venue box offices, Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, and direct sales for performances at locations including Atlas Performing Arts Center, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and other venues.
- Donations and Support: Tax-deductible contributions from individual donors and the APO Family supporter program. The organization emphasizes that donations help employ musicians and continue performances for audiences across the country.
- PBS Broadcast Sponsorship: Partnership with PBS for national broadcast of specials including Wicked in Concert, How Great Thou Art, Broadway's Brightest Lights, and others. PBS serves as official broadcast sponsor.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Support from sponsors including Kravis Center and other organizational partners listed on the support page. Includes in-kind support and financial contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free educational programming for underserved communities |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Concert tickets with varying price points |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The American Pops Orchestra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The American Pops Orchestra is a nonprofit performing arts organization that produces live orchestral concerts blending popular and classical music, nationally televised PBS broadcast specials featuring original arrangements and star performers, and educational programming for schools and collegiate musicians. Its deliverables include MainStage concert seasons, the APOxPBS special series, Children's Outreach Tours, the NextGen National vocal competition, and the Ruth Wales Du Pont Collegiate Composition Competition.
Product overview
The American Pops Orchestra (APO) is a musical performance and arts education organization founded in 2015, not a traditional software product. Its offerings consist of live orchestral concerts featuring innovative popular-classical music fusion, national PBS broadcast specials, and educational programs. The main product lines include MainStage Concerts (live performances at venues like Lincoln Center and Atlas Performing Arts Center), APOxPBS Broadcast Specials (televised musical programs), Children's Outreach Tours (free performances for underserved communities), NextGen National Vocal Competition (collegiate vocalists), Ruth Wales Du Pont Collegiate Composition Competition (young composers), and Monthly Educational Livestreams. The organization employs versatile musicians and presents programming focused on American popular music to engage diverse audiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MainStage Concerts Live orchestral performances featuring popular and classical music fusion with star-studded casts and innovative programming, performed at venues including Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and the Atlas Performing Arts Center for general audiences and arts patrons.
- APOxPBS Broadcast Specials National television specials produced in partnership with PBS featuring musical programs ranging from Broadway to sacred music, including Wicked in Concert, How Great Thou Art, Broadway's Brightest Lights, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas, and United in Song, available to PBS viewers and PBS Passport subscribers.
- Children's Outreach Tours Free mini musicals written and performed by Broadway artists delivering high-quality arts education to underserved K-12 communities through in-person tours and virtual livestreams, available at no cost to schools in Appalachia and nationwide.
- NextGen National Vocal Competition Annual collegiate vocal competition providing college singers with masterclasses from Broadway professionals, scholarship prize money including the Chip Hand Prize for Vocal Excellence, paid performance opportunities alongside APO, and the chance to perform at Lincoln Center.
- Ruth Wales Du Pont Collegiate Composition Competition Composition competition for young composers partnered with Winterthur Museum in which finalists create new works inspired by Winterthur's collection, performed by APO musicians with audience voting determining winners.
- Name That Tune Trivia Interactive trivia livestream series hosted by Luke Frazier with live musical clues broadcast on Facebook every Tuesday at 7:00 PM EDT, offering prizes to top winners and directing proceeds to the NextGen Collegiate Vocal Competition.
- Monthly Educational Livestreams Free virtual educational programming for children including interactive music education shows such as Around the World in 80 Days and Woodwind Showcase, reaching thousands of students across the country through regular livestream broadcasts.
- NATO Symphony Orchestra Special international ensemble of college musicians from all 32 NATO member countries performing alongside APO musicians at the Library of Congress, used for the historic NATO 75th Anniversary concert and related diplomatic programming.
Quantifiable outcome
- 750,000+ students reached since first Children's Outreach Tour
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The American Pops Orchestra
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The American Pops Orchestra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
The American Pops Orchestra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- No GuaranteescoreCollaboration for Broadway's Leading Ladies concert event at The Town Hall in NYC on March 10, 2025, featuring all-star Broadway cast for PBS broadcast.
- Atlantic CouncilflagshipPartnership for historic concert commemorating NATO's 75th Anniversary featuring student musicians, composers and singers representing all 32 NATO member countries performing at the Library of Congress.
- Library of CongressflagshipVenue partner for the NATO 75th Anniversary historic concert featuring the NATO Symphony Orchestra with APO musicians performing for dignitaries.
- WinterthurcorePartnership with Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library for the annual Ruth Wales du Pont Collegiate Composition Competition. The competition features promising young composers creating new works inspired by objects from Winterthur's collection, performed by APO musicians.
- PBScoreLong-standing collaboration resulting in 30+ nationally-televised specials featuring diverse musical programming from Broadway to Indigenous music, Classical to Sacred. PBS is the official broadcast sponsor. All specials available on PBS Passport.
- U.S. Department of StateflagshipAPO has been designated an official Arts Envoy for the United States Department of State, representing the United States internationally through music diplomacy initiatives.
- Children's National HospitalcorePartnership bringing free children's programming to young patients under care in the Children's Hospital network across the country, providing entertainment and artistic experiences.
- Lincoln CentercoreOngoing partnership for performances at Lincoln Center including David Rubenstein Atrium. Hosts NextGen National finals and special concert events like 'No One Is Alone' mental health awareness concert.
- Nouveau ProductionscoreFounding partner founded by Luke Frazier as Artistic Director. Produces original PBS programming including Wicked in Concert and other specials featuring brand-new arrangements.
- Atlas Performing Arts CentercoreHome venue for APO performances including Lang Theatre location. Regular venue for Season 10 events and Movin' on Broadway concert series.
- Kennedy CentercoreMajor performance venue partner. APO musicians have performed at the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian, and other prestigious DC-area venues.
- Kravis CenterminorPerformance venue partner listed among sponsors. APO has performed at venues including the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The American Pops Orchestra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Long-established pops orchestra within the Cincinnati Symphony, known for film-score performances, televised specials, and national touring. Directly comparable in repertoire strategy, broadcast presence, and pops-classical hybrid model.
- National Philharmonic: DC-area orchestral organization where Luke Frazier previously served as President/CEO. Operates in the same geographic market with overlapping classical and pops programming, making it a directly adjacent peer in mission and territory.
- Boston Pops Orchestra: The archetypal American pops orchestra and the gold standard APO is modeled on. Operates within the Boston Symphony Orchestra with a similar popular-classical fusion mandate, multiple televised concerts, and educational programming — making it the closest direct comparable.
- The Philly Pops: Regional pops orchestra operating at the Kimmel Center with Broadway and popular music programming. Comparable in mission, scale, and dependence on donations, ticketing, and corporate sponsorships.
- New York Pops: The leading pops orchestra in New York City, performing at Carnegie Hall with Broadway-caliber casts and educational programming. Operates the same pops repertoire niche as APO and competes for the same pool of guest artists and corporate sponsors.
Others
- PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): APO's primary national broadcast partner and distribution platform. Not a content competitor but the channel through which APO's specials reach national audiences, comparable to how PBS partners with other orchestras for televised programming.
- Live Nation Entertainment: Largest live entertainment promoter and ticketing infrastructure provider. Comparable as the broader live-entertainment ecosystem through which APO distributes tickets and venues, but not a content peer.
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Major venue partner of APO that also runs extensive educational and community engagement programs. Comparable as an institutional orchestrator of live performing arts and educational outreach, though not a direct orchestra competitor.
- Carnegie Hall: Iconic performance venue and education-focused presenting organization with extensive music-education programs for underserved communities. Comparable educational mission and national brand recognition, though not an orchestra.
Broad incumbents
- Houston Symphony: Larger regional symphony with significant pops programming and educational outreach. Shares the mixed classical/pops repertoire model but operates at much greater scale and endowment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The American Pops Orchestra social profiles
Digital presenceThe American Pops Orchestra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The American Pops Orchestra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The American Pops Orchestra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The American Pops Orchestra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The American Pops Orchestra
What does The American Pops Orchestra do?
The American Pops Orchestra is a nonprofit performing arts organization that produces live orchestral concerts blending popular and classical music, nationally televised PBS broadcast specials featuring original arrangements and star performers, and educational programming for schools and collegiate musicians. Its deliverables include MainStage concert seasons, the APOxPBS special series, Children's Outreach Tours, the NextGen National vocal competition, and the Ruth Wales Du Pont Collegiate Composition Competition.
Is The American Pops Orchestra a public or private company?
The American Pops Orchestra is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The American Pops Orchestra founded?
The American Pops Orchestra was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The American Pops Orchestra based?
The American Pops Orchestra is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The American Pops Orchestra make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Support, PBS Broadcast Sponsorship and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are The American Pops Orchestra's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, National Philharmonic, Boston Pops Orchestra, The Philly Pops and New York Pops. Others are PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), Live Nation Entertainment, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Carnegie Hall. Houston Symphony is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The American Pops Orchestra have an API?
No public API is recorded for The American Pops Orchestra.
What industry is The American Pops Orchestra in?
The American Pops Orchestra's product category is Performing Arts Orchestral Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAFAB, Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts, with a secondary code of MPABAAAK, Music & Performance Broadcast Networks. Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 4833.