We are grateful to host the talented members of Orchestra Noir for our Spring Residency.

James Reeves – Violin I
James Reeves holds a Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing with a Minor in Music from Clayton
State University. While in the Clayton State Orchestra, James served as the concertmaster.
James has been a member of Orchestra Noir for 4 years and has performed in countless
musical concerts and events, including accompanying musical superstars 2 Chainz and Marsha
Ambrosius for a performance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2019.
James has lived in Clayton County, GA for most of his childhood, and started his musical
journey in a local public middle school and continued with music through high school while also
participating in various clubs and tennis. In college, he did not want to let go of his creative
outlet. Despite having a demanding major, James managed to thrive in both the nursing and
music programs. He hopes to encourage others who primarily work in areas outside of the fine
arts that it is possible to continue fostering their creative endeavors in fine arts alongside other
career paths.

Taylor Tookes – Violin II

Taylor Tookes is a violinist from Atlanta, Georgia. A versatile, genre-exploring artist, Taylor
indulges her musical passions as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and string
arranger. Her recent engagements include performing in pit orchestra, jazz band, string quartet,
live band, and mariachi.
An alum of the Atlanta Symphony Talent Development Program, Taylor Tookes currently
pursues her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Michigan under the
tutelage of Danielle Belen. This summer, Taylor will attend Center Stage Strings and Next
Festival for Emerging Artists. Taylor has been a member of Orchestra Noir for over 4 years.
Michael English – Viola
As a musician, Michael is versatile. He has performed a variety of solos throughout his life and
his time at Clark Atlanta University, mentored by Dr. Roumena Georgieva, who was Assistant
Professor of Violin and Viola and Director of the Atlanta University College Orchestra.
He is also a member of Orchestra Noir, The Atlanta African-American Orchestra and has
traveled to various locations throughout the country to perform. Michael views music as a “soul
language”, something that reaches and resonates with people no matter what social divisions
exist. Michael’s passion for music has taken him around the country to the likes of LA, Miami,
and Raleigh, to name a few. He has also been featured in various television and celebrity
events such as the Soul Train Awards, the BET Hip-Hop Awards, the Gal-entines Day Gala, on
the shows The Resident, and the Aretha Franklin docu-series on Discovery and Hulu. He
currently is working to release a project for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and will be releasing an
album in late summer. Michael has been a member of Orchestra Noir for over 5 years.

Joseph Brown – Cello
Joseph, a 21-year old junior at The Cleveland Institute of Music, has been playing cello since
the age of 10. At 13 he began to study with his first private teacher Christopher Thibdeau. At 15
he was accepted into the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program(TDP) and
studied under Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) cellist Karen Freer and was also accepted
into the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra program (2015/2017), Georgia Youth Symphony
Orchestra (2013/2014), and Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra (2016). Joseph has attended
many summer festivals including Interlochen Center for the Arts, Indiana University Summer
String Academy, Brevard Music Center, and Aspen Music Festival (canceled due to covid in
2020). He now studies under Richard Weiss of the Cleveland Orchestra and is pursuing an
undergraduate degree in cello performance. Joseph has been a member of Orchestra Noir for 1
year.

Larry J. Smith II ‘Laj’ – Saxophone
This Miami native began playing the alto saxophone at the age of 11.His innate talent and ability
afforded him the opportunity to receive a scholarship to study Jazz at Florida A & M University.
As a core member of the Florida A&M Jazz Ensemble, he has been blessed with incredible
opportunities to play along with legendary musicians such as Pam Laws, Scotty Barnhart of the
Count Basie Orchestra.
Larry has had the opportunity to work and perform alongside artists and producers like Grammy
Award Recipients and Nominees TPain, “June the Jenius” and London on the Track. Currently
serves as the Assistant Music Director for Orchestra Noir: The African-American Orchestra. He
has been featured on projects with artists such as Vedo, Jailen Josey, NBA Youngboy,
Moneybagg Yo, Kodak Black and Summer Walker to name a few. In addition to many studio
features Larry has worked on the big screen as well and has appeared on BETs “The Quad ”,
Marvels: Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Tyler Perrys: Madea’s Homecoming. His latest
feature on Summer Walker’s 2nd Studio Album “Still Over It” earned the #1 Spot on BillBoard
200. The featured song “Unloyal ” with Ari Lennox Charted #46 on Billboard and was named
favorite song on the album by Summer Walker herself. The song “Unloyal” was also selected to
be performed live on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon where he was featured on tenor sax.

Tyrone Bowie ‘OG’ – Keyboard
Tyrone Bowie, who goes by OG, is a Birmingham, AL native that is currently residing in Atlanta,
GA. OG has been a member of Orchestra Noir for over four years and currently serves as the
Band Coordinator. He has been breaking barriers producing musical art while being the
visionary mastermind executing artist’s visions for over 10 years. This triple threat music
producer, musician and engineer specializes in live musical arrangements, performances, and
creative direction. His musical influences range from Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Cory Henry
and more. OG says the most rewarding part of his career is being able to do what he loves for a
living while creating opportunities for the people around him.

Kyle Copeland – Drums
Kyle Copeland, a native of Philadelphia, PA, has been playing the drums since the age of two
and has a background in Music Composition and Music Education. Kyle has been a member of
Orchestra Noir for four years and has played in various concerts – most recently being a
featured soloist with the Charlotte Symphony for the “Beethoven Meets ‘90s Vibe” Concert
under the direction of Maestro Jason Ikeem Rodgers.