Published February 20, 2024
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe School of Visual and Performing Arts is proud to
present Dr. Bianca Jackson, coloratura soprano, in residency from February 25-27.
Students will have many opportunities to learn from Jackson during her time at the
university through the option of a Masterclass or a Lecture-Recital.
Jackson’s Masterclass will take place on February 27 at 11:00 am in the Emy-Lou Biedenharn
Recital Hall, and her Lecture-Recital will take place that same evening at 7:30 pm
in the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall. All ULM students, faculty, staff, and members
of the community are invited to attend. Admission is free.
Her Lecture-Recital will explore Black American composer Margaret Bonds’ musical accomplishments,
socially focused initiatives, and highlight selected art songs and spirituals in a
lecture-recital. By continuing the tradition of spirituals and forging new paths in
art song, unique to her cultural influences, Bonds left a lasting contribution.
“We are so thrilled to host guest faculty artist and ULM alumna Dr. Bianca Jackson
during Black History month,” said Dr. Claire Vangelisti, Professor of Voice and Associate
Director of VAPA. “Dr. Jackson graduated from ULM with a Master of Music degree in
Applied Voice in 2011, and has become an accomplished performing artist, scholar,
and pedagogue. Dr. Jackson's research focuses on the Black voice in classical music
and Black cultural trauma.”
Jackson is an Associate Professor of Music and Voice Coordinator at Alcorn State University.
Jackson has expertise in classical, sacred, and contemporary genres, as well as experience
performing across the U.S. and in Italy. A current Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars
Fellow, Jackson’s research highlights Black composers of classical music.
Jackson earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from The University of
Texas at Austin, as the first graduate music student with portfolio certification
in African and African American Studies. Other degrees include a Master of Music in
Vocal Performance from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and dual Music Performance
and Music Education degrees from Tougaloo College, where she was a Presidential Scholar
and summa cum laude graduate.
“I would like to express sincere thanks to my mother, Mrs. Gwendolyn Parker, and family
for their unwavering support,” Jackson said. “To my former ULM voice professor, Dr.
Claire Vangelisti, collaborative pianist, Dr. Richard Seiler, Ecoutez Press, and ULM:
Thank you, and I am most appreciative of this opportunity,” she added.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana Monroe aims
to provide students with the highest level of arts education, research and educational
opportunities to majors and minors. VAPA aims to offer curricular, co-curricular and
extracurricular opportunities to students enrolled at ULM, as well as provide cultural
activities, special events and performances for university, local and area communities.
