A
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
P ART I
“ C SARDAS FROM DIE FLEDERMAUS BY J OHANN S TRAUSS II ”
P ERFORMED BY N A G UANDA N OBLES
““L E VEAU D ’ OR EST TOUJOURS DEBOUT ” FROM FAUST ”
P ERFORMED BY K EVIN S HORT “ J E DIS QUE RIEN M ’ EPOUVANTE ” FROM CARMEN “
P ERFORMED BY D R . L A T OYA L AIN
“ L A DONNA É MOBILE ” FROM RIGOLETTO ”
P ERFORMED BY D R . R ODERICK G EORGE “ P ACE , PACE MIO DIO ” FROM LA FORZA DEL DESTINO ”
P ERFORMED B Y D R . E RICA V. S IMMONS
I NTRODUCTION OF 2024 S CHOLARSHIP R ECIPIENTS
“I F I C AN H ELP S OMEBODY ” BY D R . A NDRE T HOMAS
P ERFORMED BY THE HENOSIS D IVINE 9 C HORALE
N A G UANDA N OBLES , S OPRANO S OLOIST
“D AYBREAK ” BY N ICOLA F ERRO
P ERFORMED BY O RLANDIS M AISE , T ROMBONE AND T INASHE M C G OWEN , P IANO
ORDER OF THE PROGRAM
P ART II
“H OME ” FROM A FRICAN V IOLET ” BY J ASMINE B ARNES
P ERFORMED BY D R . E RICA V. S IMMONS
“C ROWNED ” FROM A FRICAN V IOLET BY J ASMINE B ARNES
P ERFORMED BY D R . L A T OYA L AIN
“P EACE ” BY J ASMINE B ARNES
P ERFORMED B Y D R . R ODERICK G EORGE
“O G LORY ” BY E. S IMPSON C URRENTON ”
P ERFORMED B Y N A G UANDA N OBLES
“C OME D OWN A NGELS ” BY U. S MITH M OORE ”
P ERFORMED B Y D R . E RICA S IMMONS
“D ON ' T F EEL N O W AYS T IRED ” BY J. H AIRSTON
P ERFORMED B Y K EVIN S HORT
“M Y S OUL ' S B EEN A NCHORED ” BY F. P RICE
P ERFORMED BY D R . R ODERICK G EORGE
“I S T HERE A NYBODY H ERE ” BY U. S MITH M OORE
P ERFORMED BY D R . L A T OYA L AIN
ORDER OF THE PROGRAM
P ART II
““H E ' S G OT T HE W HOLE W ORLD ”
A RRANGED BY N A G UANDA N OBLES
P ERFORMED BY K IRK N OBLES
D R . P ATRICK B RADLEY , P IANO
“T HERE I S N O W AY ”
B Y R EV M ILTON B RUNSON
P ERFORMED BY THE HENOSIS D IVINE 9 C HORALE
D R . C LARK J OSEPH , C ONDUCTOR
G LADYS F ACEN , P IANO
K IRK N OBLES , T RUMPET
C ORDARIUS H ILL , D RUMS
C LOSING R EMARKS
N A G UANDA N OBLES , F OUNDER
“U NITY ”
P ERFORMED BY THE HENOSIS D IVINE 9 C HORALE
HENOSIS C AST
ORDER OF THE PROGRAM
HENOSIS
UNITY IN THE ARTS
MEET THE ARTISTS
Dr. Roderick George is an active performing artist and a collegiate vocal music educator. He made his New York Lincoln Center debut as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiahat David Geffen Hall and has been heard in recent performances of Adolphus Hailstork’s IWillLiftUpMineEyes with Nashville Symphony, Messiahand Beethoven’s NinthSymphonywith Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Mozart Requiemwith Northwest Florida Symphony and Carmina Buranawith Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. A frequent guest artist with the Aeolians of Oakwood University, he is featured on their latest released self-titled album as the soloist in The Chariot Jubilee. Dr. George is Professor of Music and Coordinator of Voice Studies at the University of Montevallo and he has recently served faculty of the Banff Centre and Creativitybased in Alberta,
D R. RODERICK GEORGE
Like most great singers, Mrs. Nobles began singing within the supportive walls of her home church. It was there when she discovered a love for singing and developed as a soloist, under the direction of Mrs. Carolyn Henry. Although she was born in Tallahassee, Mrs. Nobles attended Thomasville High School, where she began her classical training. She accepted a full scholarship to attend Florida State University (FSU) and received her Bachelor and Master of Music offers a winning her singing. Mrs. her debut CD
“Homage to the The CD pays tribute who’s sacrifices Opportunity to share Likewise, it takes Personal journey discovering her Mrs. Nobles has the soprano soloist concerts, most made her debut Symphony.
N AGUANDA N OBLES
Applauded for her "wonderfully rich," "powerful," and "captivating" voice, American singer LaToya Lain, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, studied voice at the University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music, Florida State University, and the University of Nevada. Before joining the voice faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Lain served on the voice faculties of Central Michigan University, NYU, and Oakwood College, now Oakwood University. Equally at home in the teaching studio and on the performance stage, LaToya continues to perform solo recitals, oratorio, and opera worldwide. recently a member of the Award-winning cast of Porgy at the Metropolitan Opera New York City.
D R. LAT
OYA LAIN
Versatile bass-baritone Kevin Short is thrilling audiences around the globe in a wide range of repertoire ranging from Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, to Verdi's Attila and Don Carlos, and Bizet's Carmen. Making Switzerland his home now for a number of years, Kevin is also coming to the attention of european theaters and has performed at Paris' Opera Comique, Theatre Caen, Grand Theatre du Luxembourg Oper der Stadt Koln, Staatstheater Stuttgart, Theater Aachen, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Theater Basel, Theater Bern, Theater St. Gallen to name a few. Kevin also enjoys an active concert schedule and has worked with important orchestras in the U.S. and around the world including the Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, the New York Pops Orchestra, and the Opera Orchestra of New York.
KEVIN SHORT
Kirk Nobles “cut his teeth” playing trumpet at his home church in Tyler, TX. With his mother accompanying him on the piano, he would master the art of call and response as the congregation often spoke back to him as he played a spirited trumpet. He later became a student of Jazz, after listening to cats like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Lee Morgan and Cootie Williams. Upon graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nobles enjoyed a career in advertising and marketing, while still playing in local bands. He later studied music at Southwest Texas State University, where he played in the big band and toured with the Afro-Cuban big band Tradicion. Kirk enjoyed a thriving career a musician in Austin, TX and he says music brought him together with the love of his life NaGuanda Nobles. He enjoys being a father to his beautiful and gifted daughter Kaira and multi-talented son Kirk, II. Nobles enjoys playing all genres of music, but he never strays too far away from his and you can hear the gospel flavorings his playing today.
KIRK W. N OBLES
Dr. Erica Vernice Simmons, lyric soprano, is the Professor of Voice and Choir at the North Lake Campus of Dallas College. She earned her doctorate from the University of North Texas at Denton where she was a Teaching Fellow and McNair scholar. Artistically, Dallas Morning News’ review of her title role in the (2021) World Premiere of 'A Lily Among Thorns' in The Winspear Opera House with Das Blümlein Project described her “supply shaping lines and spinning out high notes with a beautiful silvery tone…with a fullbodied low register. She has performed in Spoleto, Italy, Graz, Austria and several opera houses across the U.S. She began with Fort Worth Opera (FWO) as a chorus member in their 2018 production of Porgy and Bess and later became a Studio Artist for their 2021 season.
DR. ERICA VERNICE SIMMONS
Mark Trawka, pianist/coach/conductor, joined Pittsburgh Opera as Director of Musical Studies for the prestigious Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Training Program in the 2003-04 season. In the 2006-07 season, he also took on the position of Chorus Master.
Mr. Trawka coaches and performs with the Resident Artists and has also accompanied renowned mezzo-soprano Marianne Cornetti in her Pittsburgh recital appearances. He has worked as a member of the music staff at Houston Grand Opera, and the Dallas Opera. At Portland Opera (Oregon), he was principal pianist and assistant chorus master. Mr. Trawka served as coach/accompanist at Chautauqua Opera and at Glimmerglass Opera for many summer seasons. He has been a member of the coaching faculty at Songfest (formerly in Los Angeles) since 2015. In addition to regularly conducting and leading chorus rehearsals, Mark has conducted several Resident Artist shows including Ricky Ian Gordon’s 27 , Douglas Cuomo’s Savage Winter, and David T. Little’s Soldier Songs.
MARK TRAWKA
Clark W. Joseph is Minister of Music/St. John Church, Grand Prairie/Southlake, TX. He earned the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music/Piano Performance (University of Louisiana @Lafayette), Master of Science/Education (Fordham University) and Master of Theological Studies/Theology/Worship (Perkins/SMU). He was also awarded the Doctor of Ministry (Bell Grove Theological Seminary). Finally, he earned the Doctor of Worship Studies (Liberty University). Joseph has traveled the U.S., Africa and Europe teaching gospel music. He has conducted the National Baptist Convention Musical, TBAAL Black Music & Civil Rights Movement Concert, Dallas Symphony Gospel Goes Classical and Texas State Fair, A Night of Gospel. He has worked with Jennifer Holliday, Ledisi, Karen Clark-Sheard, Earnest Pugh, Beverly Crawford, B. Slade and Melanie Fiona. He is a member of National Association of Negro Musicians, Gospel Music Workshop of America, National Convention of Gospel Choirs & Choruses, Phi Mu Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is the father of three sons and has one granddaughter.
D R. CLARK JOSEPH
Dr. Patrick Bradley is an anointed “Man of God”, Deacon Dr. Patrick Bradley is the Minister of Worship & Creative Arts at the Westside Baptist in Lewisville, Texas. His Godgiven gifts have allowed him to minister, write, compose, and travel across the United States teaching the gospel of Jesus through song. Dr. Bradley is a distinguished graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University in Point Loma, CA, with a B. A. Degree in Music Education, with a concentration in piano. He graduated and earned his Master of Arts and Worship Leadership from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas, with the highest honors. He was also awarded his doctorate in music and ministry from the Eastern Conservatory of Music and Bell Grove Theological Seminary.Dr. Bradley is also a gospel music rec.ording artist. Westside’s first CD project “One Witness” was released in 2013. This project was awarded 4 Rhythm of Gospel Awards (Traditional Choir of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Artist of the Year, and CD of the Year). He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated.
DR. PATRICK BRADLEY
When it comes to music, Gladys’ parents, the late Rev. Arnett Gill, Sr., and Mrs.Catherine Jewell Gill knew early on that their oldest daughter would play the piano. Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and educated in the Little Rock Public Schools, the gift of music was acknowledged and nurtured. Formal lessons were begun at the age of 5; and by the age of 9, Gladys was playing for the Senior Choir at Union A.M.E. Church in Little Rock as well as for Sunday School. While serving as the accompanist for the Horace Mann High School Concert Choir, she was introduced to playing Handel’s Messiah and other major works by classical composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, and Claude Debussy. Her first love will always be Hymns, which she declares as the basis for any sacred music for Sunday morning worship. She has served as a guest clinician in the Southwest Region, served as the Regional Music Chairperson for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as well as the Boule pianist for the 71 st National Boule for her Sorority. She has been inducted into the Dallas Metroplex Musicians Association Hall of Fame and is an established writer.
GLADY FACEN
Orlandis Maise is a trombone player from Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently a sophomore studying under Professor Jeremy Wilson at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music. Majoring in Trombone performance, Orlandis is currently pursuing a career in the orchestral field of classical music. He began his musical studies in seventh grade with his first teacher, his uncle, and gained inspiration from hearing the Nashville Symphony Orchestra play Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, “Trauermarsch.” Orlandis is an alumnus of the Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando Program. During his time in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s Accelerando Program, he studied under Derek Hawkes and Paul Jenkins. He is also a fellow of From the Top and was a member of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America in 2022 and 2023. Orlandis is a 2023 The HighArt Foundation Scholarship Recipient.
ORLANDIS MAISE
Quickly becoming a master of the classical piano, Tinashe has been playing since he was 3 years old. Tinashe’s mother, Eneida Simpson, remembers his interest at such a young age.
“I knew he liked music since he was a baby,” she recalls. “He used to sit with me on the piano and watch me play.”
Now Tinashe spends many afternoons practicing with his instructor, often times not because of his weekly schedule, but because of his keen interest. “Sometimes when I play the piano, it takes me on a little journey,” said Tinashe. “I just start playing and I go on a magical adventure.” Tinashe is a senior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas, TX.
TINASHE MCGOWEN
Freddie Abrams
Cordelia Anderson
Samuel Arney
Myrna Beckett-Burnside
William Bernard
Patrick Bradley
Karen Copeland
Kalika Dennis
Carol Dickson-Carr
Lashawnia Diggs
Danny Edwards
Delo Gates
Buford "Grif" Griffith
John Hanson
Jalon Harris
Taffeta Denise Harris
James Hill
Shereefah Hunt
Jessie Jackson
Stephanie Jacques-Davis
Lisa Jenkins
Elisabeth Johnson
Erika Johnson
Maya Jones
Samuel Jones
Margaret Kyle
Reuben Lael
Ruth Lampkins
Roselyn Leach
Bruce Limuel
CaTrina Lindsey
Megan Manning
Yvonne S. Manuel, Ph.D.
Sheryl Matthews
Michelle Moses-Meeks
Carmen Moss
Beatrice Nealy
Kaira Nobles
NaGuanda Nobles
Yonina Patterson
Wanda Payne
Wayne Powe
Michael Roach
Horace Satisfield
Dana Shaw
Dr. Marsha Smith
DIVINE 9 CHORALE
Marlene' Spells
Donna Taylor
Loryn Taylor
Wilnesa Thomas
Whitney Tolliver
Shawn Walker
Felisha Washington
Avia Williams
Robert Williams
Sharanza Williams
Amber Winston
Jennifer Young
DIVINE 9 CHORALE
