Student Leadership Council
Alexander Richardson
LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee
105 voices of history means so much to me! I have been apart of this organization since 2008. Each year my musical skills as well as my performance abilities are enhanced. Alongside strengthening the skill sets aforementioned, I am learning what it takes to become a better leader.
To date, my involvement with the 105 Voices of History Leadership Team has encouraged and motivated me to transfer both music and everyday life skills into assets I can use to increase my odds for success in corporate and entrepreneurial arenas. When attending the leadership retreat in Washington D.C., I learned to be strategic when planning forward, the value of organized objectives, the importance of true commitment to teamwork, and the importance of financial security.
It feels so great to be apart of an organization that is filled with students who hunger for great things in life! Because of both the education and exposure we receive from this organization, we know that the sky is not the limit!
Glenn Derric Person
Tuskegee University, Tuskegee Alabama
Glenn Derric Person is a 2010 graduate of Tuskegee University, having graduated with Bachelors of Arts degree in Mathematics with a minor in Music. His parents are Gloria and Glenn Person. At Tuskegee, he holds membership in Pi Sigma Phi Choral Honor Society, the Tuskegee University Men's Glee Club, Who's Who Among American Universities and Colleges, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Since 2008, he has been a part of the 105 Voices of History National HBCU Choir, which recognizes the 105 HBCU's in the United States and its territories. In 2009, he was selected to serve on the Student Leadership Council of 105VOH. In 2010, he was blessed with the opportunity to serve a second term on the council. He is indeed honored to be a part of the 105 Voices of History since its inaugural year. It has allowed him to meet many people from all walks of life and gain networking opportunites that he will treasure for a lifetime.
He is currently the musician/pianist at Chehaw A.M.E. Zion Church in Tuskegee, AL, and has held that position since June 2006. In the Tuskegee community, he is actively involved as a singer/musician with the Tuskegee Repertory Theatre. His hobbies include singing, playing the piano, writing and composing music, and helping students in the field of Mathematics. After graduation from Tuskegee University, he plans to receive his second Bachelor's in Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.
James Andrew Ward
Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, Texas
James Andrew Ward was born on November 24, 1987 in the Live Music Capital of the world, Austin Texas. Andrew is the youngest of ten children. Born to Jim and Anita Ward, he is the only musician in the family.
Graduating from Lanier High School in 2006 with a grade point average of 3.2 he continues to pursue his education excellence at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. As a senior, Andrew is majoring in Music Education under the direction of Dr. Gloria Quinlan. Coming in as a strong bass, his voice continues to amaze family, friends, and audiences from all around, while his distinction as a student has earned him the Honorable "Deans list" three years in a row.
Andrew's pursuits have led him to perform on stage throughout the United States including the Virgin Islands. Honorable mentions are the Lion Kings Chorus in the summer of 2006, as well as the Jazz Opera Queenie Pie written by Duke Ellington in the spring of 2009. Andrew was honored to be one of the original cast members of Queenie Pie, while maintaining his high grade point average and working as the full time Assistant Technical Director for Shoreline Church for four successful years.
Andrew has preformed marvelously at the University of Texas in Austin for three years as a soloist and as a choir member in a combined concert for Black History Month celebrating the many wondrous black composers. He was allowed the opportunity to experience the pleasures of 105 voices in the year 2009 taking with him more knowledge, poise, and admiration for music. Andrew is the first Huston-Tillotson student to be chosen to represent the Southwestern Region in the 105 Leadership Counsel.
Joyce Hall
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Joyce Hall is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and is the oldest of three. At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, she is a senior, Music Education major with a vocal emphasis. She is a member of the International Acclaimed Vesper Choir, Mu Alpha Mu Choral Sorority, and Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. While matriculating at UAPB, she has accumulated several awards for service to the choir and community, soloist of the year, and soloist for the annual production of Handel's Messiah. After graduation, Joyce plans to future her education in obtaining a master's degree in Vocal Performance or Music Therapy and becoming a teacher.
Julius E. Perkins
Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
I, Julius E. Perkins, a senior from Elizabeth City State University had the honorable pleasure of performing with the 105 Voices of History; the nation's first Historically Black College and Universities National Choir at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In the fall of 2008, I representing my institution had the opportunity to perform on the "Kennedy Center" stage with stellar vocalist from around the country. After demonstrating an interest in the organization I was selected for the 2009-105 Voices of History Leadership Council.
The 105 Voices of History organization creates an atmosphere that strives for success among HBCU students. The opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to perform on the Kennedy Center stage is life-changing for students who are in the arts. It also produces opportunities to network with various African-American conductors and vocalist from all from diverse musical backgrounds. I had the pleasure of meeting notable celebrities including actress Phylicia Rashad, comedian Tom Joyner, activist Dorothy Height, and gospel artists Jeff Majors and Take 6.
I am truly blessed to have this opportunity with the 105 Voice of History. For the past 2 years I have seen and experienced students of color merge together all for the common interest of making music. With this experience I've gained two lifelong friends; Lewis Keys from Wiley College and Gregory Dixon of Xavier University, both whom I met in 2008.
Morgan Johnson
Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia
Morgan Johnson, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, is an aspiring musician at Spelman College. She is a member of the Spelman College Glee Club and has taken part in the annual Christmas Carol concert featuring Spelman and Morehouse Glee Clubs as well as two spring tours in numerous cities including New York and Washington, D.C.
Ms. Johnson served as the section leader of the Alto 1's as well as co-librarian of the Glee Club. She is constantly seen working in different parts of the Music Department and currently holds the position of student conductor--the highest musical honor one can achieve in the Spelman College Glee Club.
As a musician, Ms. Johnson has evolved as she has matriculated through Spelman. She plans to continue her hard work and illustrate it through her senior recital, which is approaching in April 2010.
After her tenure at Spelman, Ms. Johnson plans to attend law school and become a part of the Entertainment Law field with special focus on clients with musical careers. Although she does not plan to perform as often in the future, she still hopes to make a difference musically in many people's lives.
Sherisse Colbourne
Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
Sherisse Colbourne (2008 105Voices Of History Representative) is a native New Yorker whose professional training and choral experience began in 1992 with the internationally acclaimed, Young People's Chorus of New York City. She is a Graduating Senior, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management at Clark Atlanta University where she is also a member of the Emmy Award winning Philharmonic Society, holding the position of Alto Section Leader. Sherisse has performed in national and international music competitions, festivals, and tours; back up vocalist for independent gospel artist Cecil Thornton; along with extra roles in movies such as "I Am Legend," "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," and Tyler Perry's sitcom "Meet the Browns." Within her major involvements of the Arts, she has also held the recent leadership positions of Miss Phi Mu Alpha 2008-2009 for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc. Omicron Kappa Chapter at Clark Atlanta University, as well as 1st & 2ndMiss Morehouse College Glee Club 2008-2009. When not singing, Sherisse can be found giving back to the community by volunteering at Georgia Dome Events for Each One Reach One Community Impact Project Inc., raising funds to provide low income Atlanta high school seniors with college scholarships, as well as mentoring to local YMCA Rosebuds (Girls, Grades 5 - 8). She is a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. Sherisse hopes to always remain active in music, choirs, and the arts, and looks to pass this enthusiasm on to others. Annual Scholarship Pageant Coordinator; and
Shirell Denise Bynum
Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland
Shirell Denise Bynum, mezzo soprano, is a Native Washingtonian. She was born on November 9th, 1986. A graduate of Largo High School, this is where she began her early training in music. There she studied classical and gospel music under the director of Jeremiah Murphy. As a child her parents began to notice this musical talent. They began to expose her to various types of music; and also began to put her into different musical activities. Now she is a senior at Bowie State University, this is where she studies Psychology and Music: Voice, she is studying under the renowned Dr. Marymal Holmes.
Over the years she has sang with various musical ensembles throughout the D.C. Metro Area; some of the ensembles include the Prince George's County Honors Chorus, Largo High School Choir,the 105 Voices of History: National HBCU Choir, the Classical Chorus of PGCC and etc. Currently she sings background for various local gospel artists as well as directing her church's youth choir.
After obtaining her Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology and Music: Voice in the spring of 2011; She plans to get her Masters' in English Education and Vocal Performance at Towson University. She plans to teach High School English as well as AP and IB English. She also plans to teach vocal lessons.
Keenan Dupree
Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland
The 105 Voices of History National Concert Choir has been a wonderful, and enriching experience. Being able to work with 104 different voices from around the country is an opportunity of a lifetime, from which I have learned a lot. The connections, and friendships that I have made with people at other institutions have been an instrumental part of my growth as a musician. If it weren't for the choir I would have never met these wonderful and talented people. Working with the different conductors from various institutions have taught me that there are many different approaches to music in the areas of teaching, and choral directing. Each conductor has his or her own style of teaching, and conducting which I have pulled from to help make me the choral director that I wish to become. The camaraderie that has been built because of the choir between choral departments in HBCUs, is one that hadn't existed before. If I were asked to return again I would undoubtedly return.
