Tucson, AZ---The Tucson Pops and the Rialto Theatre are pleased to announce a special holiday performance featuring Mark Wood, Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Original String Master and award-winning international recording artist, on December 17th at 7:30pm. This full-scale symphonic rock tribute to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra will feature the great Tucson Pops Orchestra under the direction of Khris Dodge. This special performance will feature renditions of holiday carols with Wood’s signature dramatic rock and symphonic treatment.
Khris Dodge said "Mark Wood is a force of nature and one of the most talented electric violinists in the world. It is our sincere privilege to be a part of this project and hope that it will become a yearly Tucson tradition at the Rialto Theatre. Hold onto your seats. This will be the most rocking night featuring an orchestra that you will encounter anywhere".
The music at this special event will include a selection of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s greatest hits, along with classic rock favorites and original works; and will feature the vocal prowess of Laura Kaye. The concert finale will spotlight young orchestra and choir students from TUSD, many of whom Mark has worked with in conjunction with his Electrify Your Symphony music education program. Several members of Tucson’s own Reveille Men’s Chorus will also be joining the choir.
Mark is thrlled to be performing for his Tucson fans. “After touring throughout the Southwest and Tucson for many years, we always felt at home here. Once Laura and I moved here, we knew this was where we were meant to be. We want to join forces with other artists and musicians to help lift up Tucson and continue strengthening its reputation as a vibrant and magnetic center of creativity and quality of life.”For tickets and additional information visit www.ticketmaster.com/the-mark-wood-transsiberian-symphony-experience-tucson-arizona-12-17-2025/event/19006324B9E944BA
ABOUT MARK WOOD ELECTRIC VIOLINIST
In an industry where originality is a highly prized commodity, recording artist, performer, producer, inventor, Emmy award-winning composer, and music education advocate Mark Wood is truly an original. Mark Wood has spent the past four decades electrifying the orchestra industry – literally. Dubbed The Eddie Van Halen of the Violin World by PBS, Wood is the premier electric violinist of his generation who pioneered and innovated the entire genre.
Wood is a world-renowned performer who rose to fame as original string master of the internationally acclaimed multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra. A successful solo artist in his own right, he tours with his band The Mark Wood Trans-Siberian Experience (MWTSE) which features his wife and partner, vocalist Laura Kaye, and has released seven solo albums showcasing his unique approach to the electric violin, playing on his own line of patented instruments. Additionally, he writes and records original music for film and television and has released albums featuring his collections of his dramatic and inspirational scores.
Wood began his career with a full scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York and had the privilege of studying under Maestro Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Program.
In addition to his continued solo and commission work, Wood has collaborated with and appeared alongside some of the biggest names in music such as Billy Joel, Celine Dion, and Lenny Kravitz. Wood had the honor of performing with the legendary Billy Joel for both historic final concerts at Shea stadium, sharing the stage with Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, and Roger Daltry. He also starred in a national Pepsi TV commercial and has appeared on the world’s most venerable stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. His commission credits include The Juilliard School and extensive TV broadcast music including The Winter Olympics and The Tour de France (for which he won his Emmy). He is featured in his own TED talk, and his YouTube channel has over 7 million views.
For additional information about Mark Wood visit www.markwoodmusic.com/
Mark Wood Laure Kaye
ABOUT LAURA KAYE, VOCALIST
Renowned vocalist Laura Kaye who will perform with Mark and the Tucson Pops has a lyricism and musicality all her own and is a soulful rock and roll chanteuse whose take-no-prisoners voice invokes the likes of Steven Tyler and Aretha Franklin; with her original songs reflecting these influences and more. As a singer, songwriter, performer, and vocal coach, Laura has devoted over two decades of her career to empowering young singers with leadership skills as part of Electrify Your Symphony (EYS), a groundbreaking music education program she co-founded with world-renowned electric violinist Mark Wood, her partner. Laura is Co-President of all their combined business ventures. Utilizing her vast array of artistic talents, she creatively manages their companies; dedicating all her efforts to build, market, promote, and evolve their shared vision. In addition to EYS, Mark and Laura run The Mark Wood Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting music and the arts in America’s underserved communities; Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp and Festival (MWROC), now in its 17th year; and Wood Violins (their electric string instrument manufacturing company, now in its 40th year). During her lengthy career in the music industry, Laura has worked with legendary musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, Dee Snider, and Sean Lennon; and had a major development deal with Ric Wake, who produced artists such as Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Her voice has been featured on countless television shows and advertisements. Laura was also part of a 25-piece “rockspel” choir called New Voices of Freedom and appeared in many films and tv spots with the group.
ABOUT THE TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA
The Tucson Pops Orchestra has provided outdoor concerts to Tucson and southern Arizona audiences since 1955. Founded by Georges DeMeester and Ernest Hoffman with just 22 musicians, the orchestra has since grown to 50 professional members that perform for audiences of up to 8,500. Before settling in their seasonal location at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park, the orchestra used to perform in various locations around the community. In 1973, Charles ‘Bucky” Steele took over as conductor, followed by Laszlo Veres who retired and passed the baton to Khris Dodge in the fall of 2022. Now in its 70th year, with support from Tucson Parks and Recreation, corporate partners and Friends of the Pops, the Tucson Pops Orchestra aims to continue to fulfill its mission of providing Music Under the Stars™ to the community for many more years to come. For more information on the Tucson Pops Orchestra visit us on facebook.com or at tucsonpops.org or call (520) 722-5853. Detailed bios and photos of artists are available upon request.
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