Chorale Research Paper

1. How long have you sung with the Davis Chorale? What led you to join? How have you benefited from your experience with the chorale? A few months ago, I heard about Davis Chorale’s upcoming 40th anniversary season. Previously, I had the pleasure of singing with DC members during the spring concerts with the University Chorus. One of the tenor’s recommended that audition, but the timing wasn’t right. My schedule opened up in January so I took a look at the website and I listened to the planned music and I was hooked. Since joining the chorus, I really appreciate the warm-ups. There is a lot of thought put into them and Alison does a good job of preparing our voices to sing while simultaneously incorporating music theory as well as utilizing

As a background singer, I’ve sung with gospel artists: Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Donald Lawrence, Cece Winans and Marvin Sapp, as well as R&B vocalists: Stephanie Mills and Aaliyah. As a choral singer, I’ve sung with the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Renaissance Singers, University Chorus, Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus, Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's Chorus, and The Fourth Choir in London. Recently, I sang the tenor solo in Mozart's Regina Coeli and Franz Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major, D. 167 at the Mondavi Center. I have studied voice with American Bach Soloists tenor Jonathan Smucker and soprano Christa Pfeiffer, I currently study with Vox Musica soprano Anne-Marie

I am an avid learner having graduated from BCC with six degrees: Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Social Science, Behavioral Science, and Liberal Arts. I am also civil rights oriented (race, gender, sexual orientation), I belong to the Black Student Union and LGBTQ organization at UC Davis.

5. What else would you like to tell us about your family?

My family is small, since relocating both my sister and mother have passed on. I spent most of my adult life caring for my grandparents before they also transitioned. Only myself, my nephew, niece and their children remain. I was fortunate to grow up in a hard working family who valued education. My grandparents grew up in the south picking cotton, mother was the first member of our family to graduate from high school. I am the first with a college degree. During my valedictorian speech, I dedicated each of my BCC degrees to a family member who never had the opportunity to pursue a higher education. 6. What motivates you: in singing but also in general in your