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Artist or company name: Givonna Joseph

Please select Artist type. If you are an Artist in Schools or Teacher Artist additional information will be requested upon submission.: Artist

Contact email address.: givonnajoseph@gmail.com

Contact phone number.: 504-952-5240

Contact physical address (street, city, state, ZIP): 814 St. Andrew St. NOLA 70130

Artist or company website: http://givonnajoseph.com

Please provide a brief (250 word) biographical sketch of the artist or a history of the company in question. For orchestras, please also include a biography of the conductor. This information will be viewable by the public.: Ms. Givonna Joseph is deeply committed to the culture of New Orleans, city of her birth.

This is most evident in her roles as founder and director of OperaCréole her new ensemble featuring the 19th Century operatic music by New Orleans Free Creole composers.

The mezzo-soprano was recently heard in OperaCréole May 21, 2011 debut, and as "Lily" in New Orleans Opera's 2010 production of "Porgy and Bess", and one of the three "Abati" in New Orleans Opera's Manon Lescaut, and is a member of the professional chorus.

An award winning arts educator and music therapist, Ms. Joseph is currently a Master Teaching Artist with Young Audiences of Louisiana, and performer with New Orleans Opera's MetroPelican program.

Ms. Joseph has performed in concert at such venues as The American Church In Paris- Paris, France and La Chiesa di Santa Susanna in Rome, Italy. She has been a soloist with the William Grant Still Orchestra, the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, and as a cantor for Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's New Orleans visit. In the 2006-2007 season, she was a member of the Houston Grand Opera professional Chorus. The creator of "WomanSong", a one woman show, she was also heard as an opening artist for Ray Charles in Concert at Jones Hall in Houston, TX.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Givonna served as Music Director/Cantor at St. Rose of Lima Church, and Director of Education for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

The arts advocate is also a member of LA Creole (Louisiana Creole Research Association)

She can often be heard at Masses and weddings at many churches around the city.

Member of American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)

Please cut and paste quotes from reviews and other publicity. If none, please indicate.: Reviews

I was able to hear Ms. Givonna Joseph, mezzo soprano, accompanied on the piano by Mr. Pritzgintas, as she sang with great feeling three arias, one by Bach and Albinas, one by Ponchielli, and one by a rarely heard composer, Edmond Dede, described as a Free Man of Color. Mr. Dede is yet to come into his own as one of our finest composers, but those dedicated to the performance or composition of music know his name well. Ms. Giovanna Joseph’s velvety voice filled the church with heartfelt and deeply moving song. Patrick Shannon, III Ambush Magazine.

Mezzo Soprano's performances at Magnolia Mound 'gave voice to some of the unspoken feelings of slaves" Greg Langely, The Advocate Magazine. Feb. 3 2008.

About the CD:

Excellent CD with phenomenal breadth and scope of artistry.
author: Ben Luera

Givonna's extraordinary performances of some of the most beautiful sacred music ever written is a heart-felt expression of deep faith in God and the goodness of humankind.

This beautiful CD is a truly inspirational and joyful expression of New Orleans'
author: a longtime fan of the artists!!!

When I hear Ms. Joseph singing so marvelously about "The Holy City" (by far my favorite track), I have a renewed faith in my New Orleans. Thank you! Bravi!

Givonna Joseph at Her Best
author: Samuel Thompson
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" flow smoothly and serenely, and Givonna creates an incredibly peaceful sonic landscape with her Mozart performance.

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From The Arts Community:

Quotes on OperaCreole Debut:

Dear all - a great concert, and an important milestone for our musical community. I was thrilled with the turnout at St. Mary's,and I hope you are, too! Quotes
Carol Rausch
Chorus Master, Dir. of Education, New Orleans Opera Association
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Bravo! The OperaCreole debut performance was great. Kudos to its founder Givonna Joseph! Quotes
Lisa Ross
Development/Student Affairs Director St. Mary's Academy
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Congratulations! Those superlative performances of such wonderful music puts Opera Creole in a class by itself. I have rarely enjoyed such musical delights and as an added treat you provided information to enhance Creole history and culture. I look forward to future Creole Opera events. Quotes
Dr. Robert Perry
Secretary, B-Sharp Music Club
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Saturday evening's performance was an enjoyable program of operatic excerpts well chosen and ably performed. The accompanying power point presentation was of professional quality and greatly added to the musical portion of the evening. All aspects of the evening showed careful thought and rehearsal. Congratulations ! Jack Belsom Quotes
Jack Belsom
Archivist, New Orleans Opera
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Quotes on Ms. Joseph...
author Dr. Sybil Kein, scholar and musician. Asheville, North Carolina

You are such a tremendous talent that has survived what so many of us had to survive -and despite the pain of what happened to you, you have been able to become part of the amazing musical geniuses that we all need. Congratulations!
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author Pat Schexnayder, President, LA Creole. New Orleans, LA

Givonna,

How wonderful your performance was. I think our audience was mesmorized. We heard over and over again what an extraordinary component to add to a conference agenda. You are a beautiful person and it comes through in your music. Thank you so much.

Please summarize the activities for touring or school activities.: Touring programs can be adapted to fit any age group. But here are performance options:

Ms. Joseph with "OperaCréole"- www.operacreole.com 6 singers present operatic works of 18th and 19th Century Creoles-under represented opera composers of Color like New Orleans Creoles Edmond Dede, Lucien Lambert and their sons. Also operatic works of Afro-French composer Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and composers of the Harlem Renaissance like Williams Grant Still.

As a solo artist, Ms. Joseph offers:
"Harmony in New Orleans"- A look at the role music plays in our lives-Elementary
"The Role of Opera in The Birth of Jazz"- Elementary- Adults
" A Tribute to Marian Anderson"- High School- Adults
" Louisiana's Free Composers of Color"- High School- Adults
" A Celebration in Song"- with New Orleans Opera's MetroPelican Opera.(Black History Month- and anytime) Middle- adults.
' Help Me Fairy God Mother!" (Halloween or anytime) -K-3

Do you provide a Teacher's Guide?: Yes

Please provide the details of your technical rider. Indicate where you have flexibility.: Needs are:
Piano, or piano key weighted Keyboard*
Hard back chair for accompanist.
Wireless mic/amp- for speaking portions of program
Music stand*
2 Easels for display boards*
Projector and screen for PowerPoint** *
* Can be flexible in these areas.
** Highly recommended for OperaCréole's historical presentations.

Required to give a dollar fee range. Please indicate your range with concise descriptions of activities at the upper and lower ends of the scale: Fees include piano accompanist:

Ms Joseph:
$295-400. for a single performance*
$450- 550. for a double

Ms. Joseph with "OperaCréole" ensemble (6 singers)
$875-1000 single-$1675- 1800 for a double *

Artist Residency, or overnight engagements for Ms Joseph....$700-1500.00 range.

*Mileage and/or per diem may be added for locations beyond 60 miles.

Photos

OperaCréole, Ms. Joseph's new ensemble!!!

Pictured left to right: Vickie Thomas, Tyrone Chambers, Aria Mason, Givonna Joseph, Crystal Morris, Romel-Brumely-Kerr. For video and audio, go to www.operacreole.com