Brenda Ellis, Ed.D.
Director of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale
High School Gospel Choir Musicianship Festival
M347 Creative Arts Center
(937)775-2072
brenda.ellis@wright.edu
Dr. Brenda Ellis is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale. She earned Bachelors in Music Performance and Social Science at Hiram College, a Masters Degree in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University and a Masters and Doctorate in Music Education from Columbia University.
Dr. Ellis teaches both Undergraduate and Graduate courses in African American Music and Music Education at Wright State and is also a member of the faculty of the Gospel Music Workshop of America where she teaches course in Research in African American Sacred Music and Coordinator of the University Academic Program.
As Director of the Paul Laurence Chorale Dr. Ellis has created an ensemble whose mission is to educate while entertaining through performances of a variety of African American music that include spirituals, gospel, art songs, anthems, concert works, blues and jazz. The Chorale has presented performances at the Ohio Music Education Association Conference, toured Toronto, Canada and Pennsylvania and along with several local and regional performances.
Dr. Ellis has presented numerous lectures and presentations on African American music at local regional, national and international conferences and has made contributions to publications such as the Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance and the Oxford Book of Spirituals. She has served as a Director of Music in many churches and worked with local arts organizations presenting public performances of African American music.
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