WITH A VOICE UPLIFTED: In the midst of this trying time because of the COVID-19 pandemic, soprano Janinah Burnett has created an unlikely stage to share her musical gifts.
by Patrick D. McCoy
I am sure that many of us have seen the stories of numerous musicians performing on balconies abroad, but here is an exciting story about an artist doing the same right in our own backyard. Like many artists who have had their performance opportunities turned upside down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, soprano Janinah Burnett has found an unlikely stage for her voice-a balcony!
The gifted singer has performed on many prestigious stages, including The Metropolitan Opera, Broadway, among many others. Surrounded by in her youth by jazz, Burnett is the daughter of legendary jazz drummer Carl Burnett and writer/educator/artist Imani Constance. Her interest were cultivated by by Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Harris, Nancy Wilson, George Cables, Billy Higgins, and many others who inspired her early musical beginnings. Check out this innovative way in which the Spelman College alumna is using here platform in such a difficult season.
WATCH HERE SING STRAUSS’ “ALLERSEELEN” AS A PART OF HER BALCONY SERIES:
To see and hear more from soprano Janinah Burnett’s Balcony Concert Series and to learn about her career: CLICK HERE
A native of Petersburg, VA, Patrick holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Virginia State University and a MM in Church Music from Shenandoah Conservatory. Formerly the Performing Arts Columnist for Washington Life Magazine, he currently is a freelance writer, publishing articles for several noted publications, including The Washington Post, Early Music America Classical Music Voice North America, The Afro-American Newspaper, CBS Washington and Examiner.com. He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., The American Choral Directors’ Association, a member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors and a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Zion Parish in Beltsville, MD and serves on the music faculty of Virginia State University where he teaches applied voice, music appreciation and assist with the University Concert Choir. Visit http://patrickdmccoy.com