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Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401 |
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Morningside Collge Sioux City, IA 51106 |
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Cal Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 |
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Pepperdine University Malibu, CA 90263 |
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Current
and former cast members of Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Mamma Mia” and Disney’s
“The Festival Of The Lion King,” have joined together to perform “Our Voice – A Celebration Of Black
Women In Music.”
This 45 minute show takes its audience on a journey through African American history utilizing the music of
African American women. The show includes songs like, “Hoe Emma, Hoe,” a call and response
slave song and “Never Give Up” a song originally performed by one of gospel music’s most celebrated contemporary
artists, Yolanda Adams.
Nicole Pryor, Alana Simone, Nadine Roden, Angela Clark, Danielle
White, and Joel Rene make up the talented rotating cast.
Ebony Bowden
Coordinator of Diversity Programs
Office of Multicultural
Student Services
Coastal Carolina University
"With ease, your female quartet was able to establish
a rapport with the audience by exuding energy and taking us on an educational and entertaining journey of the Black female
experience through music and artistic expression. Your friendly smiles and personable attitudes enabled our students and guests
to freely ask questions and converse with you all intimately. Although this performance is specifically titled "A Celebration
of Black Women in Music" the show’s message of endurance and perseverance is truly an inspiration to all. I hope
that other colleges and universities will take advantage of this opportunity."
“A historical
panorama in song, narration and photo projections, the concert stretches back to the slavery era (a call-and-response song
called "Hoe Emma, Hoe"), through the first black opera ("Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess")
and onto 20th- and 21st-century icons, including jazz stylists Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Broadway stalwarts Stephanie
Mills and Audra McDonald, and pop entertainers, among them Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston and
Beyoncé. 'When we talk about Gladys or Aretha, back in the day they had to enter through the kitchen to perform,' Pryor
says. 'We've just come so far.'"
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