Evil Woman – The American ELO

BUY PASS & PARKING

Making their Lakeside debut, Evil Woman – The American ELO will present “The Electric Light Orchestra Experience” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14 in Hoover Auditorium.

The show is a multimedia concert experience celebrating ELO’s instantly recognizable and chart-topping hits, including “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” “All Over the World” and of course, “Evil Woman.”

Lakesiders will be left spellbound by the flawless musicianship and vocals of the band’s 12 musicians, as well as the fusion of Beatlesque-pop and classical arrangements where cellos co-exist with guitars and classically tinged rock intersects with pop.

On lead vocals and guitar is Kevin Fafard. Born in Long Island, New York, Fafard is a Virginia-based musician who has played in a variety of tribute and cover bands since 2009. A founding member of Evil Woman – The American ELO, Fafard has been an integral part of the band’s success.

Nigel Holland serves as Musical Director, sings and plays keyboard. He studied at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York, and has been writing, producing and recording music for more than 40 years. Holland is another founding member of the band.

Rebecca Catalano, vocals, has been in love with music and the stage for as long as she can remember. A former figure skater, she turned to music after an injury required a sudden career change. With degrees in music education and musical theatre, Catalano teaches voice, dance and piano. She is thrilled to be one of the newest members of the band.

Robert Smith, keyboards and vocals, is a music instructor and owner of Music Makers in Virginia Beach where he teaches piano, guitar, voice and drums. Along with playing for Evil Woman – The American ELO, Smith performs as an acoustic duo (Musicplayer), original band (Ladada), Fleetwood Mac tribute band (Secondhand Dreams) and The B-52’s tribute band (The B-53’s).

Jimmy Agrios, bass, is a Virginia musician who has been playing music since 2007. When not performing, you’ll find him filling other roles in the arts community.

Leon E. Alexander, Jr., drums, is a native of Washington, D.C. He attended The Oberlin Conservatory of Music majoring in percussion and jazz studies and completed his graduate studies at the University of California San Diego. Alexander has performed with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, Mary Wilson and The O’Jays. As a dedicated educator, he is Head of Percussion at the Academy of Performing Arts High School in Suitland, Maryland, and Instructor in Percussion Education at the New View Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ron Halsey, guitar and vocals, has been playing electric and acoustic guitar since the age of 15. Born in West Virginia, playing bluegrass was encouraged, but he gravitated over to The Beatles and the classic rock music of Rush, Aerosmith and ELO. Halsey played in several club bands around Virginia before moving to California where he landed with the indie group The Mineral Kings. He eventually moved back to Virginia where he continues to be involved with music as a guitarist with several local bands and Evil Woman – The American ELO.

Michael Mosgrove, guitar and vocals, became a member of the band in 2020. He has played all over the U.S. as part of cover bands and performing original music. British Invasion and American R&B remain his first love, but he also records and plays country music. Mosgrove is a founding member of Wilder Horses, a Rolling Stones tribute band based in Virginia.

Stephen O’Leary, string arrangements, has received music composition degrees from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He currently is a performer, accompanist and director with several groups in the New York metro area, including the New York Life Singers.

Nancy Crockford, orchestra leader and violinist, is an accomplished classical violinist, multi-instrumentalist, studio musician and recording artist in Orland, Florida. During her 18-year symphonic career, Crockford has performed with the Florida Orchestra, Tampa Bay Chamber Ensemble and the Savannah Symphony. In addition to performing and touring with Natalie Cole and Ray Charles, Crockford has performed with Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Dionne Warwick, Amy Grant, Bernadette Peters, Wayne Newton, Kansas and Rod Stewart. She now works in various positions in the music industry, including conducting, ensemble and audition coaching and performing with her group Synergy Strings.

Edwin Camacho, cello and keyboard alternate, was born in Manhattan, New York. He began his musical journey playing first violin as first chair for his school orchestra. After moving to Virginia Beach, he began exploring piano, guitar, bass and cello. Camacho joined the national touring band Audiostrobelight, playing piano and guitar, where he shared the stage with acts like the Manchester Orchestra, Coheed & Cambria, Taking Back Sunday and Cartel. He joined Evil Woman – The American ELO in 2022.

Casey Copeland, violin, is a Virginia Beach native born in Norfolk, Virginia. A natural performer and artist, Copeland loves to create music, teach music lessons and write music. When she’s not touring with Evil Woman – The American ELO, you can find her onstage with bands like Request Station and All That 90’s Band.