The Scholars

The Marian Anderson Historical Society Scholars Program & Foundation

The National Marian Anderson Museum promotes Marian Anderson's beautiful Legacy through displaying unique Exhibitionism and imagery from her life, the society seeks to spread Anderson’s music and humanitarianism throughout the world. In addition to that The National Marian Anderson Museum Scholar Arts Program supports young Classical, Opera, Theatrical , Musical, and Visual Artists from around the world. These artists perform regularly at events that the society sponsors, as they continue to go throughout the world in great prominent positions of success in the Arts. The National Marian Anderson Museum also partners with the Arts Empowerment Project to provide education, development and performance for all Children in the Arts in the Tri-State Area.

Kevin Thompson

The young American Bass Kevin Thompson is rapidly emerging as that rare breed of Basso Profundo possessing a commanding stage presence and a voice with extraordinary range, depth, and color. The excitement his performances generate has captured international acclaim: “A mountain of a voice, with resonance from the Escorial of Philip II, the throne of Boris Godunov, and the majestic court of Sarastro. Thompson delivered all the goods.” (San
Francisco Classical Voice); from The Italian Voice, “…thrilling, huge, cavernous with a full round register and profound interpretive gifts that evoke memories of Paul Robeson and Boris Christoff rolled into one".The 2013-14 season will include several exciting roles such as Mephistopheles, Oroveso, and Ramfis. He will make his South American debut as Mephistopheles in Faust with Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre in Ecuador and sing return engagements with Knoxville Opera as Oroveso in Norma and Crespel, Schlemil, and Luther in Les Contes de Hoffmann. Additionally, he will sing the role of Ramfis in Aida for the Bob Jones University Opera Series and perform the Verdi Requiem with the Idaho State Civic Symphony. Highlights of the 2011/13 seasons for Mr. Thompson were his role and company debuts with opera Santa Barbara as Ramfis in Francesca Zambello’s production of Aida; debut with Ash Lawn Opera Festival as Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte; debuts in he roles of Lodovico in and Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata with Knoxville Opera; and, a debut with Music in the Mountains Summer Festival in California in the Verdi Requiem.The 2010-11 sesason included a return to New York City Opera singing Ned in Treemonisha; a concert with Sarasota Opera; his Carnegie Hall debut with the American Symphony Orchestra in the US Premiere of Haggadah shel Pesah(Passover in Exile) by Dessau; the Verdi Requiem in his debut with the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra; Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with Queens CollegeChoral Society; Il Commendatore in Don
Giovanni with Shreveport Opera and Mr. Thompson won the Audience Favorite
Prize at the Sun Valley Competition. In 2009-10, Mr. Thompson made his German debut as an ensemble member of Opera Kiel where he performed as Il Re in Aida, Hans Schwartz in Die Meistersinger, covered Méphistophélès in Faust, and concluded the season with critical acclaim at his farewell recital: “He has a voluminous bass with its exquisite overtone-rich timbres and rafter-shaking
sonority.”(Kieler Nachrichten). His Munich debut was at the Gasteig with the Biennale Modern Music Festival in the world premiere of Die
Weisse Fürstin. During the 2008-09 season, Mr. Thompson debuted at New York
City Opera as Martel in Troubled Island and with Augusta Opera as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. He was awarded top prizes in 2009 at the Liederkranz Foundation, by the Florida Grand Opera, and with Career Bridges. Mr.
Thompson's other operatic roles have included Sparafucile in Rigoletto,
Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Colline in La Bohème, Frank
Maurrant in Weill's Street Scene, Grandpa Moss in Copland's Tender Land, Le Bailli in Massenet's Werther, and the Jailer in Tosca. He has sung under the baton of conductors Julius Rudel, Edoardo Muller, Andreas Delfs, Alexander Kalajdzic, Grant Gershon, Leon Botstien, Mark Flint, Dean Williamson and David Zinmin. Mr. Thompson is at home on both the opera and concert stage. He has appeared in tours throughout Europe and Russia. He has also sung the Bass solos in such choral works as Mozart Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Stravinsky's Les Noces, Haydn's The Creation, and the Lord Nelson Mass. American concert appearances include at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, Barns of Wolftrap, the Pentagon, and with the United States Naval Academy Band. A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Thompson is an alumnus of San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Program, The Juilliard School in New York, Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Dramatic Young Voices, AIMS Graz (American Institute of Musical Studies) and Aspen Music Festival. He is the recipient of numerous awards including those from the National Symphony Competition, the Don Giovanni International Competition, the Meistersinger Competition, Marian Anderson Scholar, the Paul Robeson Competition, and the Rosa Ponselle Competition. As a permanent part of the Smithsonian Institute's Hirschorn Gallery in Washington,D.C., Mr. Thompson is featured singing “Old Man River” in an audio walk artwork exhibit entitled Words Drawn in Water by artist Janet Cardiff.

Carolyn Coleman

Carolyn D. Coleman, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in marketing and business administration from Jackson State University. A winner of numerous awards and competitions, she has repeatedly captivated audiences with her warm and powerful voice. Her musical accomplishments include first-place awards in the 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995 National Association of Teachers of Singers competition. She also has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council. In the summer of 2002, she was awarded the William Warden Scholarship from the International School of Performing Arts in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Salzburg Festival, and throughout Germany with the Grace Bumbry Black Heritage Vocal Ensemble. Coleman also has performed as a soloist with the Leigh Morris Chorale and the Plymouth Music Series in the world premiere of Ties that Bind, with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra under Crafton Beck, and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra under Theodore Wiltsie. She has performed the role of the Second Lady in the Magic Flute with Opera South, Inc.

Ronald Campbell

A native of Macon, Georgia, Ronald Campbell received a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Concordia College in Bronxville, New York and a Masters of Fine Arts from Howard University in Washington, DC. Mr. Campbell has worked with world-renowned coaches and accompanists including the late Betty Allen and Sylvia Olden Lee, Andrew Frierson, William Ray and Gracie Jones. Mr. Campbell specializes in opera, musical theater, and African-American spirituals and hymns. He has performed in Handel’s Messiah at The Kennedy Center and also with Bethesda Symphony Orchestra. As an Artist in Residence at the Marian Anderson Music Guild, Mr. Campbell is often seen on their concert programs. Other performance venues include St. Peter’s Evangelical Church in New York and Ethical Society of Philadelphia. In addition, Mr. Campbell’s Washington, DC venues voice of the Tollbooth; Metropolitan Repertory Opera in Washington, DC in Verdi’s Il Trovatore as Count Di Luna; and the Civic Light Opera of Seattle in the musicals Ragtime by Stephen Flaherty and High Society by Cole Porter. In summer 2014, Mr. Campbell will be performing with the new Maryland Lyric Opera. include the Charles Sumner Museum; Hines Lee Opera Gala at the Arc Theater; and Willard Intercontinental for a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Concert for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on a program with Denyce Graves. Mr. Campbell has performed with Northern Virginia Opera in The Phantom Tollbooth as the voice of the Tollbooth; Metropolitan Repertory Opera in Washington, DC in Verdi’s Il Trovatore as Count Di Luna; and the Civic Light Opera of Seattle in the musicals Ragtime by Stephen Flaherty and High Society by Cole Porter. In summer 2014, Mr. Campbell will be performing with the new Maryland Lyric Opera.

Steven Browne

Master Baritone and Pianist Steven Browne is very humbled to be inducted into the Marian Anderson as a scholar. Steven holds a Bachelor's Degree in classical piano/voice and theater at Temple University and has recently received his Master's Degree in Elementary Education at Holy Family University in Philadelphia. Steven has had the honor of performing at some of the finest venues in the world including The Kimmel Center and The Academy of Music in Philadelphia and Carnegie Hall in New York. I love performing with various theatres in the area including Bridge Players, Actor's Net, Footlighter's , Jenkintown Music Theatre, The Savoy Opera Company, The Pennsbury Chorus and the Philadelphia Opera Company. Some of my favorite roles are Jim (Big River), Big Daddy (Sweet Charity), Booker T Washington (Ragtime, the Musical), The Man (CROWNS), Jesus (Song of Mark), Charlemagne (Pippin), and The MC (Chicago). I love singing in large choirs with orchestras.

Claude Finger

Jillian Patricia Pirtle

Jillian Patricia Pirtle was brought to this world on January 29th in the year of 1983 with a shining star attached to her soul. Jillian is a Philadelphian that has had a great love & passion for the Arts since the tender age of three. Jillian has sparkled in the performing arts as a vocalist, actress, model, dancer and personality. Jillian received her formal training from the High School of Creative and Performing Arts where she majored in Vocal Music Performance and minored in Instrumental Violin and Dramatic Performance. Jillian received her BFA Degrees in Opera / Musical Theater Performance & History from the University of the Arts in 2004. While attending the University, Jillian was formally inducted into the Marian Anderson Society as a Marian Anderson Scholar & Classical Vocalist. With Jillian’s Aspirations and Goals of starring at the Metropolitan Opera and on Broadway, some of the shows that she has been featured are 'La Boheme' (Musetta'), 'Porgy & Bess' (Bess) 'Purlie’ (Luttliebelle), 'Ragtime' (Sarah), Thoroughly Modern Millie’ (Muzzy Van Hosmere) 'Hair' (Dionne), 'Ain't Misbehavin' (Nell), 'The Hot Mikado' (Katisha), 'Working' (Maggie Holmes), ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (Crystal), 'Loves Labours Lost’ (Jaquenetta) and 'Funny House of A Negro' (Funny Lady/Land Lady). On December 11, 2010 Jillian was crowned as the New Miss Black Pennsylvania USA 2011 to represent the great state of Pennsylvania in the National Miss Black USA Pageant Inc. On August 8, 2011 Jillian wowed the National Audience in Washington Dc and brought home two National Titles. Jillian was then blessed with the honor, crown and title becoming the new Miss Pennsylvania Essence 2012. Then on December 16, 2012 was newly Crowned with the title of Miss Pennsylvania Royal Dynasty 2013 as she continued her reign as the Queen of state for Pennsylvania. Jillian continued with her platform of the Arts Empowerment Project and proved victorious as she captured her final title as Miss International Supreme Queen. In January of 2013 Jillian became the Chief Operating Officer of The National Historical Marian Anderson Residence Museum & Society. In addition to all she is and does , Jillian is also the CEO of RoyalOne Productions LLC Entertainment Company and is the Host of the National Arts In Color Television Show . Jillian will be ever dedicated to the growth, development, education and economic success of our citizens and children in the Arts. Jillian believes that the arts are a doorway to the greatest form of self expression that not only transforms the masses minds & hearts but also inspires a generation

Paula Newberry

Recognized as a powerful Coloratura Soprano with a unique richness to her voice, Ms. Newberry's career has taken her to great concert halls, opera companies, symphonies, college recital halls, art museums and churches in New York, California, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and more as well as internationally in Italy, Germany and Austria. Most recently, she was the featured soloist for LeMoyne Owen College’s 2013 Commencement Exercises. In April of 2012 she performed a recital of opera arias and spirituals with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Ron Vernon, Conductor. A specialist with operatic arias and equally at home with Italian, French Art Songs, German Lieder and the Spiritual Genre, Ms. Newberry began her German Liederabend and Spirituals' Concert tour this past October 2011 at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee. This performance was followed by a Liederabend Recital as apart of the Lyceum Concert Series at Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi in 2012. In the fall of 2010, Ms. Newberry sang in Opera Memphis' fabulous opera production of Giuseppe Verdi's, Aida. In 2009, she was apart of an amazing cast of singers in Opera Memphis' very first production of Scott Joplin's, "Treemonisha" and a guest artist at the 2009 Gateways Music Festival in Rochester, New York. May of 2008 was a busy month for this coloratura. She performed a concert recital at Brown Missionary Baptist Church, Southaven, MS and the role of "Belinda" in an opera scene from Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas", with the Memphis Opera and Song Academy. In May 2006, she returned to Opera Memphis as the first soprano in the "Doctor Jesus" scene from George Gershwin's, "Porgy and Bess" and also got the opportunity to perform in a 12 member vocal ensemble with international mezzo-soprano, Denyce Graves, at the 50th anniversary Opera Gala of Opera Memphis. She also performed the "Berlioz Requiem" with the Memphis Symphony Chorus. From 2004-2005, Ms. Newberry became the Classical RadioAnnouncer for KASU 91.7 FM at Arkansas State University. Carnegie Hall in New York was the place for her concert debut of "Evening of Opera" combined with "Spirit Moving Spirituals" in 2003 after making her company debut as "The First Spirit" in Mozart's, "Die Zauberflöte in Memphis, TN with Opera Memphis in 2002.Her distinct coloratura soprano voice has toured on concert stages throughout the United States, Italy and Austria in venues such as Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall), Sala Pegasus (Spoleto, Italy), San Francisco Bay Area ArtMuseums, The Germantown Performing Arts Center, The Germantown SymphonyOrchestra, The Ebony Orchestra of Excellence, Rust College Concert Auditorium(1991 televised debut), Rhodes College Concert Auditorium, Border's Music,Barnes and Noble, the Junior Leagues of Memphis, Tennessee and Orlando,Florida, The Beethoven Club, Amro Music Auditorium, Benjamin Hooks, Greater Middle Baptist" and manymore performance venues. Her opera roles have included the "Sandman and the Dew Fairy" from Hansel and Gretel, "Gilda" from Rigoletto "Cleopatra" from Giulio Cesare, First and Second Spirits from "Die Zauberflöte" and "Treemonisha" from "Treemonisha",

Regina Smith

Praised for her soulful multi-octave sultry voice, Regina A Smith has established herself to be one of Philadelphia’s most admired talents. She has been greeted with exceptional accolades by some of the Nations great Leaders such as President Bill Clinton, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Jackson, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and more. Reginas Repertoire ranges from Operatic, to Jazz, from Gospel to Neo Soul in styling. Regina received her foundation and education at the Famed Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts and The University of the Arts where she majored in Vocal Performance. Some of Regina’s many credits include the International Tour of Donald B. Welches “Hallelujah Mahalia”, Star Recitaling featured in audience of President William Jefferson Clinton, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Cardinal Anthony Bevolaqua , The National Baptist Convention, The National NAACP Convention and many more. Regina realizes that her name means Queen and she achieves that title through her Art and her Spirit daily.

Michael Leland

Producer/Director/Choreographer/Writer/Actor/Singer has garnered critical acclaim from everyone from The New York Times and Village Voice to Stage Magazine and the Philadelphia Inquirer. His production of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide /When the Rainbow Is Enuf by ntozake shange on Times Square in New York City garnered favorable reviews from The New York Times, Village Voice, among others and inspired the New York Amsterdam News to write:The fresh organic staging results in a profoundly thrilling new work. The director Michael LeLand usually ignores old stage directions and creates scenes that are totally new and vividly compelling. It is the dynamic craft of the actors in tune with the unique direction that sends this performance into a class by itself beyond the average Broadway revival.The production is planned to open on Broadway in the spring of 2016.In April 1998, Lincoln Center Theatre named Mr. LeLand to the Directors Lab. Mr. LeLand has produced over forty theatrical productions and ran Theatre Double’s two-theatre complex on Walnut Street in Philadelphia for four years Mr. LeLand has helped developed a dozen new plays that have received professional productions, including Langston Hughes: An American Celebration, Theatre Double’s Just The Boys, Theatre Double’s Jason and Medea, Theatre Double's . And The Sky Can Still Fall on Our Heads, Slipping by Yvonne Delet, Gypsy Wagon by Ed Shockley, The Ballad of Mistah Jack by J. Rufus Caleb. He also developed and, wrote lyrics for, and the full length children’s musicals The Witch and the Magic Mountain , Nsume Namlou: The Stories of My People, ,Magic Bookshop: The Snow Queen and The Magic Bookshop Inside the World of Jack and the Beanstalk. Mr. LeLand helped create Just the Boys, A Theatre Double collaboration published by Simon and Schuster in Action: the Nuyorican Poet’s Café Theatre Festival. Portions of his production, The Witch and the Magic Mountain, produced by Freedom Theatre, were performed at the Barrymore Awards and for Mayor of Philadelphia, Edward Rendell.

Zaki Haggins

Zaki Haggins is a native Philadelphian and has been thriving in the Arts since his attendance at the Julia R. Masterman School. While Zaki continues to pursue his higher education in Arts & Composition, he has become an accomplished artist on the rise. Zaki is a multiple award winner as a Vocalist as well as an National Merit Scholar Award Winner and National Achievement Scholarship recipient. For years Zaki has participated in Tri-State Area Symphonies and has traveled abroad as well. Zaki has a firm belief in Social Responsibility and Justice.

Gregory Greene

Past Marian Anderson Historical Society Concert Event Performer Participants

Achilles Inverso

Rosemary Schneider

Joshua Lee

Stephen Proctor Green

Derek Anthony Wilson

Aaron Quarterman

Donald Hunt

The National Marian Anderson Historical Society Artist Scholars In Performance & News

Marian Anderson Scholar Artists In Performance

The National Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society would like to humbly thank our National Marian Anderson Scholar Artists for participating in the historic moment for our country with the 80th Anniversary of our great Marian Andersons Lincoln Memorial Concert in 1939, which took place on April 19th 2019 at the Independence Visitor Center Theatre.

The National Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society would like to sincerely Thank everyone who attended and supported our beloved fall concert in our 2018 concert season of 'Marian A Soul In Song Spirituals'. The spirit of our great Marian Anderson was with us and it was a concert for the ages. We express deep appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Kenneth Anderson and the National Martin Luther King Community Choir in joining our exceptional MA Scholar Artists in performance, to our fantastic orchestral coordinators Mr. Ben Hemsley and Mrs. Christine Mello, to the hospitality of the historic Shiloh Baptist Church, SOSNA, Mrs. Lauren Summers and to the dedication of our Marian Anderson Museum Members, Board and Committee. We ask that you continue to support the efforts of the Marian Anderson Museum as we work to keep the Living Musical Legacy meaningfully successful. Become a Member, Donate, Support, Give and Make A Difference, Call our offices @ 215-779-4219 and visit www.marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com

The National Marian Anderson Museum could not be more proud of our very own exceptional Marian Anderson Scholar Artist Basso Kevin Thompson , who on September 22nd 2018 delivered a marvelous performance of 'King Solomon' with the Odyssey Opera of Boston MA Opera "La Reine De Saba". The reviews are in and this is just one of the many celebrated reviews for his dynamic portrayal;
- "the singing of bass Kevin Thompson proved an audience favorite. It is a true basso, with a superhuman low register and a voluminous sound. He was the only cast member who was consistently audible in all the registers of his voice."
EDGE Media Network Contributor
By Ed Tapper
Monday Sep 24, 2018
We are so proud and excited for what you are achieving and everything that there is to come.

The National Marian Anderson Museum invites you to attend an Extraordinary Concert "Spring Favorites' featuring our remarkable National Marian Anderson Scholar Artist Baritone/Bass Ronald Campbell. This is a Lovely concert event that you don't want to miss on May 15th 2018 1pm at the Philadelphia Senior Center Theater 509 S. Broad Street Philadelphia Pa 19147 with Free Admission. Be Inspired and Support the Artists.

Lucia Di Lammermoor

The University Opera Association presents Donizetti’s tale of love, betrayal, and madness—one of opera’s most melodic scores—with guest artists National Marian Anderson Scholar Bass Kevin Thompson starring as Raimondo
Feb. 27, Mar. 1 & 3, 2018

The National Marian Anderson Museum is honored to be in Partnership with the Outstanding Project 440 Organization. We are expanding the Living Musical Legacy. Click on the icon to learn more about Project 440.

Marian Anderson Scholar Artists In The News

The National Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society would like to humbly thank Cherri Gregg and KYW News Radio CBS for affording us the opportunity to speak of the historic moment for our country with the 80th Anniversary of our great Marian Andersons Lincoln Memorial Concert in 1939.

What a triumphant day for the National Marian Anderson Museum. We were humbly honored to co-host this historic event with the United States Department of the Interior as the historic mural created in 1943 by Mitchell Jamison showcasing Marian Andersons historic 1939 Lincoln Memorial Concert was deemed on this first day of February 2018 as a National Historic Landmark under the National African American Civil Rights Act. We would sincerely like to Thank Secretary Ryan Zinke, The United States Department of the Interior, Deputy John Bockmeir, Desmond Herzfelder and family, the Roosevelt Family, the President of the DAR, Howard University, the NAACP, Philadelphia St. John Nuemann & Goretti High school and band and everyone who made this historic day possible. May we ever preserve the Musical Legacy.

The National Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society Celebrates our Marian Anderson Scholar Artist Baritone/Bass Ronald Campbell on his exceptional Concert Performance in Tribute to Paul Robeson. This beautiful concert was presented by the CAAPA organization (Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts) on Sunday and featured the sacred spirituals of the beloved Paul Robeson. Congratulations Ronald Campbell & accompanist Lore Constantine

The National Marian Anderson Museum congratulates Marian Anderson Scholar Artist Soprano Jillian Patricia Pirtle for her outstanding performance with the Philadelphia Freedom Band in the National Martin Luther King Tribute Concert. BRAVO!