VIRTUAL PROGRAM

IN THE FELLOWSHIP

Music/Lyrics: Patrick Lundy

Arrangement/Add’l Music/Lyrics: Allen René Louis

I SHALL PRAISE

Music/Lyrics: Shawn Brown

Vocal Arrangement: Greg Kirkland

ALL GOOD GIFTS

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz 

Arrangement/Add’l Music/Lyrics: Allen René Louis

Soloist: Wesley Wray

I WILL SING PRAISES

Music/Lyrics: Richard Smallwood

MORNING’S BREAKING 

Music/Lyrics: Richard Smallwood

Arrangement: Michael McElroy

Soloist: Nio Norwood

I’VE SEEN HIM WORK

Music/Lyrics: Anita Wilson, Nat Adderly, 

Luther Vandross, Rick Robinson 

Soloist: Kyle Ramar Freeman

CELEBRATE YOU

Music/Lyrics: Troy Anthony

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF

Music/Lyrics: Donald Lawrence

Soloist: Samantha Howard

IT’S ONLY A TEST

Music/Lyrics: Bishop Larry Trotter, Vashawn Mitchell

Soloist: Marcus Paul James

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE/NO ONE IS ALONE

Music/Lyrics: Rodgers & Hammerstein/Stephen Sondheim

Arrangement: Allen René Louis

TOTAL PRAISE

Music/Lyrics: Richard Smallwood

MORE ABUNDANTLY

Music/Lyrics: Sonja G. Whitmore

Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV) is a diverse community of Broadway artists united to change lives through the power of music and service.

In 1994 more than 32,000 people died from AIDS or AIDS-related complications in the U.S. Many of those deaths came from within the Broadway community. As Broadway grappled with the loss of an entire generation of artists, TONY® and GRAMMY®-nominated Michael McElroy (founder of the Broadway Inspirational Voices) saw in the community a profound need for hope, unity, and inspiration. He envisioned an organization where professional artists would come together and volunteer their gift to provide comfort, joy, and the promise of a better day–and as a result, The Broadway Gospel Choir was born. This magical synergy of authentic Gospel soul and Broadway bravura was re-imagined as the Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV) in 1999 and they have been the theatre community’s center of support and celebration ever since.  In 2019, The TONY® AWARD Administration Committee presented the TONY® HONORS for Excellence in the Theatre to four outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry, and Broadway Inspirational Voices was a recipient. The TONY® HONOR was a resounding endorsement of BIV’s enduring work and impact and in celebration of 25 years of service. In 2020, McElroy hand picked composer/singer Allen René Louis to become the new Artistic Director for BIV. BIV’s diverse membership has represented over 140 Broadway shows since its inception. For more information – and for ways to DONATE – go to www.BIVoices.org​. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok at handle @BIVoices.

OUR MISSION

BIV is committed to supporting and strengthening communities in need. We accomplish our mission through uplifting choir performances and our signature arts, education, and outreach programs.

Through creative engagement we build a sense of community in safe and empowering spaces for individuals to be vulnerable, to heal, and rebuild. Our nationwide innovative and collaborative music and performing arts programs serve marginalized and overlooked communities in need. TONY® honored Broadway Inspirational Voices is uniquely positioned to access a diverse pool of creative professionals from Broadway and beyond who seek meaningful outlets to use their hearts and talents to provide mentorship and inspiration.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Allen René Louis is a Grammy-nominated Haitian-American producer, composer, arranger, and creative director whose work is deeply rooted in his cultural heritage and church upbringing. A graduate of Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, Louis studied vocal performance while directing the college’s male a cappella group and leading its Gospel Choir. 

He was the vocal arranger and a vocalist in Ben Platt Live at the Palace, the limited Broadway run, as well as Platt’s Honeymind Tour. He also appeared in Platt’s Netflix special Sing to Me Instead at Radio City Music Hall and throughout the international tour of the same name.

As a solo artist, Louis has headlined a sold-out concert at the historic Palace Theatre in Stamford, CT (2018), debuted original work at The Green Room 42 (2019), and aired a global virtual concert The Music of Allen René Louis (2020). His unique musical voice has captivated audiences around the world.

In 2020, Louis served as Music Director for the Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge presented by The American Theatre Wing and the National Endowment for the Arts. His celebrated vocal arrangements were showcased on CBS during The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back! and later featured in the Yale Repertory Theatre's 2022 production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy, as well as its 2023 Australian premiere at Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta. Louis is the Vocal Arranger and co-Music Arranger of the Broadway revival of The Wiz — a production that earned him a Grammy nomination for his work as producer and arranger on the cast album.

In 2025, Louis was tapped as the Creative Director for the opening number of the Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. Tasked with bringing the evening’s bold celebration of fine art, fashion, and futurism to life, he crafted a visually arresting and sonically rich performance that set the tone for one of the most talked about Galas in recent history. 

Louis’s journey with the Broadway Inspirational Voices began in 2018, when he was invited to join the ensemble. In 2019, he began serving on the music team alongside founder Michael McElroy. In 2020, McElroy appointed him Associate Artistic Director, and the following year, Louis officially stepped into the role of Artistic Director.

With numerous projects in development, Allen René Louis remains committed to creating art that uplifts, empowers, and sparks meaningful change

THE BIV CHOIR 

ASL Interpreters:

Pro BONO ASL:  Selena Flowers & Alberto Medero, ProBono ASL

BIV CONCERT STAFF 

Artistic Director: Allen René Louis

Executive Director: Angela Grovey

Director of Operations: Anna R. Kaltenbach

Concert Directors/Writers: Allen René Louis, Angela Grovey, Tasha Michelle Smith

Movement Director: Dennis Stowe

Choir Directors: Allen René Louis, Nikisha Williams

Associate Music Director: Nikisha Williams 

Music Team:

Alto Vocal Captain: Adee David 

Soprano Vocal Captain: Casey Erin Clark 

Tenor/Baritone/Bass Vocal Captain: Paul Trenier

Stage Managers: Amber Johnson, Leanne Long-Hulin

Front of House Management: Michelle Liu Coughlin

Sound Consultant: Stephen Morris

Sound Team: Gibson Entertainment Services 

Wardrobe Supervisor: Ta’Rea Campbell

Accountant: My Fiscal Office

Director of External Communications: Marcus Paul James

Media Director: Robert H Fowler

Social Media & Branding: Shaunice Maudlyn Alexander

Arts and Education Programs Director: Tasha Michelle Smith 

Arts and Education Operations: Tiffany Cole

Director of Development: Danielle Wolfrum

Membership Director: Robin S. Walker

Section Leaders: Laura Dean, Danielle Chambers, Dev

Volunteer Coordinator: Mae Schuberth

Graphic Designer: Jamil DeHonne - (Riverside Church)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert B. Acton, Chair

Leslie Barrett, Vice Chair

John Eric Parker, Second Vice Chair

Dina Sarno Slawson, Treasurer

Dan’l Mackey Almy, Secretary

Sylvie Armand, Director

Bruce Cohen, Director

Tom Durein, Director

Michael Goddard, Director

Angelique Harris, Director

Kevin Ryan, Director

Diane Scott Carter, Director

Michael Strassheim, Director

Dr. Danielle D. Taylor, M.D., Director

Allyson Tucker, Director

Michael McElroy, Founder

Phylicia Rashad, Chair Emeritus

Di Ana Pisarri *In Memoriam

HOLIDAY CONCERT SPONSORS

31ST YEAR SEASON  SPONSOR

Broadway Inspirational Voices is thrilled to kickoff our 30th Anniversary Season!

We invite you to join us as a season sponsor and Celebrate the Yes with us all year long. 
Join us and become a season sponsor today! The impact of your sponsorship will support BIV's continued growth of our Arts & Education programs and capacity building initiatives, so that we can change more lives through the power of music and service. We know that low-income people and communities of color do not have the same access to our programs and events, and sponsorship makes it possible for BIV to offer affordable and accessible tickets to our concerts to our community members who need it most! To find out more and to become a sponsor please contact Danielle Wolfrum, Fundraising and Events Manager at daniellewolfrum@bivoices.org.

SPECIAL THANKs

Michael Strassheim

Marcia Pendleton

Nicholas & Lence Communications

The entire staff of The Riverside Church

VOLUNTEERS

Sherry Dean Curreri, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Julia Darling, Dev, Judith Franklin, Juliet S. Gray, Tavia Rivée Jefferson, Yolande Leger, Karina Martinez, Peter M, Lazarus Rashid, Matthew Sims, Jr, Vivienne Thomas

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The land on which this performance takes place is part of the ancient homeland and traditional territory of the Lenape people. The Lenape (also referred to as the Delaware) were among the first Native Americans to come in contact with Europeans. Forced off their ancestral land, they now have communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. We remember and reflect on the losses suffered by Indigenous people at the hands of European colonizers and we acknowledge the enslaved peoples and many others whose names we do not know who helped to build this city.