2012 Ambassador Team Leaders
BRANDON BOYD
TEAM VERIZON
"U HOPE LINE"
Brandon A. Boyd is a native of Ocala, FL. He studied Choral Music Education with a concentration in Piano and Organ Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. He currently serves in the area of music ministry as Minister of Music at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church and The TSU Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry. He currently studies organ with Dr. Wilma Jensen and conducting with Dr. Jeffery Ames.
BRUCE HENDERSON
TEAM CRAKER BARREL
"MANAGEMENT CAREERS"
Bruce Wayne Henderson, Jr, a native of Birmingham, AL, is a junior at Stillman College majoring in Music with a concentration in vocal education. He is the son of Rev. Bruce W. Henderson, Sr. and Ceola Renee Henderson. At Stillman, Bruce is a member of the Stillman College Choir and Tour Choir. He currently serves as an administrative assistant, student accompanist and student director. He is a member of the Christian Student Association (CSA) where he serves as director over the CSA Anointed Voices. Bruce is also a member of the Harte Honors College and Resident Assistant for John Knox Hall (for honor students).
Being a part of the Stillman College Tour Choir has given Bruce the opportunity to become very active in the arts. In January 2010, he was a member of the Ethiopian Slave Chorus in Verdi's Aida. Also, in January 2011, he was given the opportunity to sing at the Alabama Gubernatorial Inauguration. As a member of the CSA Anointed Voices, he has had the opportunity to record for the Stillman College Jazz Consortium on their album, Love Is Something Special. He has also recording jingles and theme songs for HOT 105.7's Sunday Morning contemporary gospel show, Flavaz of Fava.
Since 2010, He has been a part of the 105 VOH. First selected as a student performer, he was inspired by fellow Southern Region student leader, Alex Richardson, and former student leader, Glenn Person, to become a member on the 2011 VOH Leadership Council. At the 105 Voices of History Grand Ole Opry 2012, he was selected to lead the Cracker Barrel Ambassadors Team.
Bruce is also a licensed minister. He serves as an associate minister, pianist, and choir director at Shiloh Baptist Church in Brighton, AL. His hobbies include singing, playing the organ and piano, and volunteering in various youth organizations.
KAYLA BLAIN
TEAM AETNA
Kayla Blain is a native of St. James, Louisiana. She is a 2009 graduate of St. James High School in St. James, Louisiana. Kayla is currently a junior at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana majoring in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance. She also has a minor in Theatre arts. At Dillard, Kayla serves as President of the International Renowned Dillard University Concert Choir under the directorship of Professor S. Carver Davenport. Kayla also is a Dillard University Student Ambassador and S.O.A.R. leader. She is a member of the Dillard University Female Octet and the Beta Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kayla has been a featured soloist while touring with the Dillard University Concert Choir. She has performed in many areas throughout the Southern States and the Midwest. Kayla's goal in life is to inspire others through music as she has been through her experiences as a young musician. Dillard University also grants Kayla many opportunities to give back in the local community. She is constantly working to provide young people with opportunities that will allow them to soar to higher levels. Upon her graduation from Dillard University, Kayla plans to attend graduate school to obtain a Masters' in Vocal Performance.
KEENAN DUPREE
TEAM MENS WEARHOUSE
"DRESS 4 SUCCESS"
Keenan Dupree, lyric baritone, is a lifelong resident of Bowie, MD. He is a graduate of the Suitland High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, a conservatory style performing arts academy, under the tutelage of Mrs. Tara Sievers-Hunt, and Mr. Kenneth Boucher. Other voice teachers have included Ms. Lisa Eden, and Mr. Kevin Thompson. During that time Keenan had the honor of performing with several distinguished ensembles, including The Prince Georges County Honors Chorus, The Maryland All State Chorus, The National Harbor Chorus, and The Martin Luther King Tribute Choir. Mr. Dupree is currently a junior at Bowie State University where he majors in Vocal Music and studies with Dr. Marymal Holmes. An active performer on and off campus, Mr. Dupree is a member of The Bowie State University Choir, The Bowie State University Gospel Choir, and The Bowie State University Madrigal Singers.
He also hold membership in the Voices of Insperation Chorale under the direction of Rev. Nolan Williams. Upon graduation he intends to do graduate studies in Music Education in hopes of one day becoming a High School Choral Instructor.
SHANNON SWYGERT
TEAM SAMHSA
"CHECK YOURSELF"
Shannon Swygert, a 2010 105 Voices of History representative, is a senior Accounting major, Marketing minor at The Fort Valley State University. She is the daughter of retired Lt. Col. Roy Swygert Jr. and Dr. Tanya Swygert and is the youngest of three children. Shannon was born at Upperhayford Air Force Base in Great Britain and lived in both Kansas and Alabama before settling in Warner Robins, GA. Shannon graduated from Houston County High School in 2007 and entered FVSU as a freshman Fall 2007. Shannon has been a member of FVSU's concert choir since her freshman year and has also served as a member of the Wildcat Force, a group of students who recruit with the university president, she is also a member of the National Association of Black Accountants. Shannon has been working with the 105 Voices of History program since 2010 when she sang on the Kennedy Center stage with the choir along with participating with the 105 International Voices in Nassau, Bahamas in the Summer 2011. She was also a participant for the Wells Fargo Emerging Entrepreneurs Workshop in Charlotte, NC and served as a member of the 2011 National Leadership Council as the treasurer. Most recently Shannon travelled with the 105 Voices of History to Nashville, Tennessee in January for the inaugural performance at the Grand Ole Opry singing alongside Pastor Shirley Caesar and country star Wynonna Judd. Currently Shannon is working with the 105 Voices of History as the President of the National Ambassador Lead Team as well as the Ambassador Lead for the SAMHSA Check-Yourself Initiative. Shannon will be graduating from Fort Valley State University on May 4, 2013 upon which she plans to move to Washington D.C. to work in the corporate world as well as enrolling in law school to study Family/Judicial Law. It is Shannon's goal to eventually work with young people and start her own non-profit organization called 21st Century Black PEARLS. The goal of this organization is to reach out to young girls in both middle and high school focusing on their leadership skills and self-esteem. One of Shannon's favorite quotes comes from Proverbs 18:16 which states, "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men."
SHERISSE COLBOURNE
TEAM AETNA
Sherisse S. Colbourne (2008 105Voices Of History Participant; 2010 & 2011 Leadership Council Representative-Southern Region) Born and raised in a historic neighborhood of New York City best known for its Renaissance, Harlem. Ms. Colbourne's professional training and choral experience began in at the tender age of 8 years old 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 the illustrious Clark Atlanta University located in Atlanta, GA. where she also is a member of the Emmy Award winning Philharmonic Society, holding the position of Alto Section Leader. She has traveled and performed all over the united States, Canada and Prague 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" starring Will Smith; "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" starring Adam Sandler; and Tyler Perry's sitcom "Meet the Browns" Episode-Meet the Matrimony. Within her major involvements of the Arts, she has also held the 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 & 2nd Annual Scholarship Pageant Coordinator; and Miss Morehouse College Glee Club 2008-2009. When not singing or performing, Sherisse can be found giving back to the community by volunteering in Atlanta citywide events under 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 currently an active member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Colbourne hopes to always remain active expanding on her musical endeavors, acting, writing, choral involvement, community service, mentoring and the performing arts as a whole. She looks to pass her enthusiasm on to others, living by the quote, "Forwards Ever, Backwards Never!"
CLARENCE BELL
TEAM OUTBACK
"INTERNSHIPS"
Clarence G. Bell II is an advocate for achievement and excelling. He is a graduate of Prince George High School in Prince George, Va where he graduated with advanced studies, and where his choral director was Monique Woodard. He currently is a sophomore at Virginia State University, where his major is Music Education with a concentration in Voice. He is a member of the Concert Choir, under the direction of Johnnella Edmonds. He is the assistant student director and the bass section leader. He studies in the vocal studio of Dr. Karen Floyd Savage. He is a part of the 105 Voices of History, a national choir that is comprised of historically black colleges and universities across the nation. They perform every September at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC. They recently had an inaugural concert at the Grand Ole' Opry in Nashville, TN. While in high school he was part of All-District Choir, Men's Choir, and was the assistant director of the Gospel Choir, Under Monique Butler-Woodard. He was in the N.B. Clements Jr. High School production of "High School Musical" where he played the lead role, Troy Bolton. He also played the supporting role of "The Purser" in the Prince George High School Musical "Anything Goes". He attends Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va, where the Pastor is Rev. Wesley K. McLaughlin. He serves on the praise team and assistant choir director of the mass choir and young adult choir. He is also a staff singer at Saint Benedict's Catholic Church in Richmond, Va. He plans to teach at the high school or collegiate level and impart into the lives of young people just as his professors and teachers have done for him. He is a member of Choir Psi Phi National Music Fraternity, INC and the Virginia Epsilon Colony of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America.
