WCL Spotlight Celebration

Frank Machos – Collaborative Connector

Dr. Frank Machos is the Executive Director for the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of The Arts & Creative Learning, and previously served as the district’s Director of Music Education. He relocated from his native Edison, New Jersey to Philadelphia to attend the University of The Arts where he received a B.A in Music Composition, an M.A. in Music Education, and a Ph.D. in Creativity. He also earned an M.A. in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Before transitioning to administrative roles, Frank taught music at Grover Washington Jr. Middle School and School of the Future, specializing in instrumental music with a focus on expanding innovation in music education by integrating popular and contemporary music, technology, and college and career skill development. He serves on boards and committees for various non-profit organizations and founded Limelight Arts, a performing arts community center focused on supporting artists of all ages, abilities, and interests. He remains active in the Philadelphia music community as a saxophonist, performing with a variety of musicians and performing artists, covering a wide range of musical genres, and enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.

Kristal Oliver – Innovative Educator

Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver is a Grammy-nominated, platinum songwriter signed to Sony ATV Music Publishing with over 25 years of professional experience. She has collaborated with artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Estelle, Kanye West, Ledisi, and Justin Timberlake and many more. Kristal has served as Vice President and Board Member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy, contributing to music advocacy and special projects.

World Cafe Live is proud to spotlight Billy Allen & the Pollies, an emerging band whose musical performance at the Spotlight Celebration will surely get everyone moving.

Billy Allen & the Pollies: There is a ferocious Southern engine inside of Billy Allen & The Pollies’ debut album Black Noise. It thrums to life atop a classic rock chassis and expertly weaves in and out of gospel, grunge, funk and soul along its eleven-song journey. From the explosive top of the album (a liberating anthem of self-worth called “All of Me”) to the spiritually haunting final track (the wurlitzer fueled “Go on Without Them”) Black Noise is a genre-defiant haymaker that lands.

The band is a hybrid of four-piece rock outfit The Pollies and fellow Alabamian, and frontman, Billy Allen. The story of what fused Allen and The Pollies is one that begins in a bar 8 years ago. This particular bar was on Allen’s gig circuit and it just so happens to be where Jay Burgess (founder of The Pollies) was having a drink that evening. While there was intrigue and potential in that first chance meeting, the two would remain ships in the night, each building their own careers, until years later when the stars would align at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals.