Michael O’Brien/ Flickr.com
TAMPA – Nearly 20 years later, University of Tampa alumnus Scott Leonard says he’s “still doing it.”
Member and songwriter for the men’s a capella group Rockapella, Leonard and fellow members will perform in Falk Theatre on Saturday, May 1 at 8 p.m. with UT’s Symphony Orchestra. OPUS will open the show.
Leonard was a voice major who studied under Dr. Isele when he attended UT.
“I sang at Disneyworld and then went to Tokyo Disneyland, where I recorded,” he said.
He traveled back to the U.S. and went to New York City, where he eventually got the gig with Rockapella. Today he joins fellow members George Baldi III, Jeff Thacher, John K. Brown and Steven Dorian in concerts all around the world.
Rockapella made its name through the PBS children show Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? Since then, they have spread their fame throughout the U.S., Germany and Japan.
The group has been active since 1986, yet still performs yearly. Their music ranges from songs from the ’30s, to disco, to original compositions. The group is finalizing their brand new album to be released sometime in July.
Along with their holiday concerts, Rockapella has performed with big name orchestras including the Boston Pops. This particular concert, however, will mark their first collaboration with a university orchestra.
It will also mark the first time Leonard will be back performing on campus.
“I’m still heavily involved with UT and their College of Arts and Letters,” he said. “And my wife actually choreographs OPUS.”
The theatre will house this one-night performance that will include music, dance, audience interaction and comedy.
“It’ll be fun to relive the days when I used to perform in Falk,” he said. “I mean, it’s where it all started for me.”
For ticket information and for a free music download visit www.rockapella.com.
Mel Steiner can be reached at mel.c.steiner@gmail.com.
