These concerts are the North Carolina Symphony debut for Emily Padgett-Young.

Emily Padgett-Young has originated roles on Broadway in Bright Star and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as performing leading roles in Rock of Ages and in the revival

of Side Show. Other Broadway appearances have included Legally Blonde and the revival of Grease. She played the role of Sandy for a year in the first national touring company of Grease, starred in the national tour of Flashdance: The Musical, and appeared in a limited-run, off-Broadway revival of Sweet Charity.

On the way to Broadway, the revised version of Side Show won a Helen Hayes Award as Outstanding Musical in Washington, D.C. Padgett-Young was nominated for a Hayes Award as Outstanding Lead Actress. She appeared on two recordings with the Side Show cast, who reunited to record a live performance featuring additional songs and extended versions. She also appeared in original cast recordings of Bright Star and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.