How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Just ask Patti Wilemon.
The singer and actress got her start on stage in Birmingham, but she left and made her New York debut at Carnegie Hall singing with the New York Pops and Skitch Henderson.
That led to a three-year stint as Henderson’s singer, performing with orchestras in Dallas, Atlanta, Buffalo, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Columbus, as well as with the National Symphony and the Charles Ives Center in Connecticut.
Wilemon’s performing credits include singing with the Dallas, Santa Fe and Nashville operas, and appearing in productions of “Evita,” “Annie,” “Hello, Dolly!” and more. Now living in Nashville, she’s also sung with Christian artists Take 6, Natalie Grant, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant and CeCe Winans.
All that, and the Fairfield High School and Birmingham-Southern College graduate has forged a career in health care.
But she’s still performing, and next up for her is the 2025 American Traditions Competition, which takes place next week.
Wilemon took the time to answer some questions about her performing career and her health care career.
When did you first get involved with theater?
When I was 16. I auditioned for James Hatcher and since I was too young to be in his shows, Hatch put me in the pit as a Miss Alabama singer. From there, I was in Summerfest every summer, and basically the musicals at Town & Gown Theater. I left Birmingham in 1984 and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to sing in a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Patience.” I got to sing Patience.
What are one or two highlights or memories of your time in theater in Birmingham?
The enduring friendships are the first that come to mind. The second would have to be during the tour of “Evita,” we were playing in a town that received no notice that we were coming to town. So, the cast outnumbered the audience. Hatch was also not there. The band and the cast decided to have some fun. Che and Eva had some lateral lisp issues at times. The band had water guns and would occasionally squirt us from the pit. During Eva’s death scene, our most amazing pianist interpolated Chopin’s Funeral March. It was brilliant. These were attempts to get the actors to break character, but we never did.
Also, it was Hatch that introduced me to Skitch Henderson. I will always be grateful. The friendships I had and have with some of the most talented individuals are far more valuable than any leading role I may have done or could have done.
What made you leave Birmingham?
More opportunities. Leaving afforded me the chance to sing with the Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, Dallas Summer Musicals. After performing leading roles in Summerfest with James Hatcher, I eventually moved to New York. Three months later, I made my New York debut at Carnegie Hall with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops. I became Skitch’s singer for the next three years. Our programs ranged from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rogers & Hart, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Leonard Bernstein. Skitch became a dear and forever friend.
My best memory with Skitch: It was at Carnegie Hall, and we were doing a Berlin to Bernstein concert (“West Side Story” songs and duets). During intermission, Skitch comes to me and tells me we need another number. I was singing “How Deep is the Ocean.” I said, “How about, ‘What’ll I Do?’” Skitch said OK and asked what key. I said, ”I’ll make it easy on you – key of C.” We didn’t rehearse. It was just Skitch at his piano and me singing with him at Carnegie. Nothing could ever get better than that.
What have you done performance-wise since leaving Birmingham?
While living in Nashville, I was introduced to Greg Nelson and Ronn Huff. Greg Nelson has produced 13 gold records and three platinum records. He has received 20 Dove Awards as well as over 30 nominations. I had many opportunities to sing on recordings for both as well as being a vocal contractor for other projects. I was the opening act for Take 6’s new jazz album, “The Standard.” While living in Baltimore, Maryland, I was the featured singer at the Shock Trauma Gala.
Where are you now and what are you doing?
During all this time, I have received my MBA in healthcare administration. I’m very proud of my health care career and have worked for some of the most prestigious health care systems, including Vanderbilt, University of Maryland Medical System, OneOncology, HCA, CHS and Aspirus Health. Currently, I’m managing consultant for Impact Advisors. A group of us from Impact Advisors lead the opening of the new Children’s Hospital of Atlanta: Arthur M. Blank Hospital, a 19-story, 2-million-square-foot facility. It’s an amazing place.
