Broadway Star Arbender Robinson Inspires Osbourn High School Choirs
Fall Residency Delivers Masterclasses, Performances, and Community Engagement
The Osbourn High School Choral Department proudly hosted Broadway Guest Artist in Residence, Arbender Robinson, from October 15-18, 2024, as part of their fall concert, Why We Sing.
Mr. Robinson energized students with a dynamic three-hour masterclass featuring original Broadway choreography from Hairspray’s “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and a song from The Lion King. He also led a talk-back session, discussing his educational journey and insights into the Broadway industry and answering students’ questions. The day concluded with a powerful solo performance of “Rise Up” by 9th-grader Maliya Trammell, during which Arbender provided coaching on acting through song.
During the concert, Arbender performed his signature audition piece, “Hold On” from The Secret Garden, and joined the OHS choirs in their finale, Why We Sing, alongside guest Mrs. Laura Mills—an OHS choir alumna and president of the Artfactory in Manassas, VA.
Mrs. Sherlee Glomb, OHS choral director, orchestrated this collaboration to build anticipation for the department’s upcoming spring show, Night on Broadway, set for May 2025. As part of this broader effort, students will attend Broadway and touring productions, including MJ, Six, and & Juliet in Washington, D.C., and take a spring trip to New York to see The Lion King.
In addition to the artistic experience, the choral department collected canned goods at the concert to donate to the OHS Pantry, fulfilling their mission to serve and uplift the community. The department thanks the OHS administration for making this unique opportunity possible.
About Arbender Robinson:
Arbender made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning production of Hairspray, covering the role of Seaweed. His extensive Broadway credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Hair, Ragtime, The Lion King, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Les Misérables, where he became the first African American to play the role of Marius. A passionate advocate for education and dreaming big, Arbender encourages students to “believe in the power of their dreams.”