Title
Honoring, recognizing and commending Jeri Lynne Johnson, founder of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, for her extraordinary service and dedication as a musician, conductor, and historian.
Body
WHEREAS, Jeri Lynne Johnson began conducting during her doctoral studies in music theory and history at the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, While a student in Chicago, Ms. Johnson was awarded the 1998 Jorge Mester Conducting Scholarship to attend the Aspen Music Festival; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson's teachers and mentors have included Sir Simon Rattle, Marin Alsop and Daniel Barenboim; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson was engaged by the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia to serve as the ensemble's assistant conductor from 2000 to 2004. Her debut in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts won high praise from the Philadelphia Inquirer; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson's unique approach to music and her warm embrace of new audiences has set a new standard for creating diversity for orchestral ensembles; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Ms. Johnson made history as the first African-American woman to win an international conducting prize when she was awarded the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Ms. Johnson founded the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, the only professional orchestra in the region, and one of few in the country, to champion ethnic classical music; and
WHEREAS, The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra is dedicated to normalizing diversity in classical music by presenting concerts and innovative community programs of the highest artistic and educational standard and performed by diverse musicians; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers as well as television and radio shows including 20/20 and the Tavis Smiley Show. Ms. Johnson was heralded as one of today's leading conductors on the NBC Today Show; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has received countless honors and rewards including being named...
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