Jouelle Roberson Discusses Not Letting Current Times Hold You Back
Kevin Ray Johnson
It is beyond my honor to introduce you to the amazing and talented Jouelle Roberson. I first came across this fantastic Soprano after coming across a video of her singing My Man's Gone Now from Porgy and Bess. It completely blew me away, and the world truly needed to know who she was if you didn't already. Ms. Roberson hails from Washington, D.C., and began her musical studies at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts where she participated in the Show Choir.
After graduation, she attended Morgan State University where she graduated with her B.A and M.A studying vocal performance with Marquita Lister. Recently, she has performed the role of Marenka in Bedrich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride with the Bethesda Summer Music Festival. Following her successful performance as Marenka, she was invited by the AAMS Opera to perform the role of the Countess (excerpts) from Le nozze di Figaro in Ischia, Italy. She is the 2018 winner of the Emerging Young Artist Regional competition presented by the National Association of Negro Business Women and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., formerly known as the Leontyne Price Vocal Competition, and advanced to the semi-finals of the 2019 Annapolis Opera vocal competition. She is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity.
I am very thankful to have connected with this amazing artist. These times can be low and defeating for many, but after hearing her voice it gave me a sense of motivation to know that even in the darkest times, everything will be alright, and this industry is not going to go anywhere!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to sing?
I was six-years-old when knew I wanted to sing for a living. I auditioned for my elementary school's choir. I didn't make it, but I went home that day and time my Mom.
2.) Where did or do you study? Are there any people and or mentors who helped you on your journey?
I started my studies in high school at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where I studied voice. Then went off to study voice at Morgan State University under the world-renowned opera singer Marquita Lister. She's still my teacher now, and my mentor.
3.) We are all living in a very unprecedented time. How have these times been for you and what is your daily routine like now?
I work as a young artist with the Atlanta opera. I have voice lessons and coaching every day over remotely. I wake up and practice. My goal is to practice four hours a day.
4.) I cannot express how much I fell in love with your voice when I heard you perform My Mans Gone Now from Porgy and Bess. Is there an aria or song or performance that you have done in your career that stands out and will always be near and dear to your heart?
Anytime I sing spirituals. That is a performance I keep near and dear to my heart. I love to keep the music of my ancestors alive.
5.) What advice would you give any aspiring artist during these crazy times?
Don't let no one or Corona hold you back. Find a voice teacher, and always perfect your instrument. You only get one if you're a singer.
To learn more about this amazing Soprano make sure you visit - https://www.facebook.com/singjouelle