Kenya Lawrence Jackson

Ms. Jackson, our Principal Soprano, was last seen as Mother Juliette Gaudin in our original production of Les Lions de le Reconstruction. In 2017, she sang the title role of Treemonisha. She also helped OperaCréole history in the title role of Flamenca in La Flamenca. 

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Kenya currently serves as the Director of Music and Worship at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Mandeville, LA, where her duties include coordinating a large and diverse music program. A native of Hammond, LA, Ms. Jackson, has studied and performed throughout the country and in Italy and Germany. Kenya's operatic roles include Despina in Cosi Fan Tutti, Laurie in The Tenderland, and Gianetta in The Gondoliers with companies such as Studio Lirico in Anghiari, Italy, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Opera Works in Northridge, California. She has also been heard in various music theater performances.

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She conducts the much anticipated Christmas on the Northshore, showcasing the talents of the 100-voice St. Timothy Choir and the Northshore Orchestra, an ensemble of over 40 local musicians. She also created, produces and directs the annual Of Thee I Sing patriotic celebration each Memorial Day weekend. Kenya has also produced many children's theater productions, including "Seussical the Musical," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Godspell Jr.," in addition to several original productions. Kenya has been recognized as a finalist with the National Opera Association competition, and was winner of the Dallas area NATS competition in Spring of 2000. 

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Ms. Jackson has completed intensive language studies in Urbino, Italy and in Weimar Germany, where she also studied voice with tenor David Brewer. She holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University, where she studied with Barbara Hill-Moore. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she was recognized with the James Wilcox Award for Outstanding senior. She currently studies with LSU Professor, Dr. Lorraine Sims.