Jones Serves on Seagle Festival and Singing Down the Barriers Faculty, MusicFest Northwest Adjudication

Professor of Voice Byron Jones ’04, D.M.A., will return to serve on the faculty of Seagle Festival for his 11th season this summer. Seagle Festival is the premier opera and musical theater producing organization in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, as well as the oldest summer vocal training program in the United States. In 2023, Seagle Festival will celebrate its 108th anniversary season.

Dr. Jones has also joined the Singing Down the Barriers (SDTB) faculty at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. SDTB is an intensive introduction to the repertoire of African American composers for the college student, apprentice, teacher (private, high school or university), coach, choral conductor, church musician, professional singer or organization administrator. Jones was a participant in SDTB’s inaugural offering in 2021. The transformative experience formed the basis for his Fall 2022 sabbatical research as well as the Collaborative Arts: Voice & Piano residency hosted by Shenandoah Conservatory in February.

He will also serve as a voice adjudicator for the MusicFest Northwest in Spokane, Washington, on the campus of Gonzaga University. Festival week traditionally takes place the second week of May and includes free concerts in addition to high-quality adjudication. The festival offers unique experiences in both performance and education, providing premier access to renowned artists and teachers throughout the United States. It also engages in both competition and collaborative opportunities that encourage and create space for individual exploration, artistry and community.