Shana Powell, Soprano
Congratulations to Ms. Shana Powell, Soprano and student of Morgan State Univeristy, who recently won the 72nd annual Miss Maryland Schoalrshp Pageant. Miss Powell will represent the state at the upcoming Miss America Pageant. Morgan State University and Marylanders alike wish her all the best in the national competition in January 2008.
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| Former Miss Morgan and recent winner of the Miss Maryland Pageant, lyric coloratura soprano Shana Powell is not just a pretty face. With both academic and chorale scholarships provided through the Morgan State University Honors Department and the Morgan State University Scholarship Fund, Ms. Powell is an academic achiever. She prides herself on always striving for growth in musicianship and performance while maintaining exemplary academic achievement.
This outstanding graduating senior is a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree, Vocal Performance. Studying with vocal instructor Dr. Stringer and traveling with the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir under the direction of Dr. Eric Conway, has molded a prepared and polished musician ready for professional performance showcase. In February of 2006, Ms. Powell performed as chorister with Opera Philadelphia in their production of Margaret Garner and again in February 2007 in their production of Porgy and Bess. She has also been a professional chorister with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performing in the 2006 Holiday Spectacular. As a result of her exceptional involvement, Ms. Powell was invited back to perform with the BSO for this year’s Holiday season. In addition, this emerging artist holds an internship with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Artistic Management.
Ms. Powell was a Young Artist with the Solfest Opera Seminar, June 2005 and the Crittenden Opera Studio July 2006. Her roles include Monica from The Medium by Menotti, Lola Markham from Gallantry by Douglass Moore and Cinderella from Into the Woods by Stephan Sondheim. On November 30, 2007, at the invitation of Ultimate Soprani, Inc. , Ms. Powell will be featured in "A Diamond in the Rough", the 1st concert of Ultimate Soprano to showcase Baltimore's own up and coming new talent, with arias by Giacomo Puccini and Leonard Bernstein.
As Ms. Powell prepares to outrival in the 2008 Miss America Pageant, it is evident from her sheer beauty, poise, and talent she could easily make a career in modeling. Except her dedication to excellence in academic achievement positively impacts her career decisions and reveals her integrity as a strong, purposeful “Black” woman.
| Murvyn T. Cannady, II, Tenor In 2004 Mr. Cannady became a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. | 
 | Tenor, Murvyn T. Cannady II, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, began singing at an early age. Currently Mr. Cannady is a matriculating student at the University of Maryland Baltimore County earning the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance. He studies voice with Mezzo-Soprano Janice Jackson, one of Baltimore’s icons.
He performed his first operatic role on July 21, 2005 as “Top” in Copeland’s Tenderland. However, in January of 2003, at the request of Congressman Cummings, he had the privilege of singing the National Anthem for Congressman Elijah Cummings’ inauguration into the Congressional Black Caucus. In March of 2006, Mr. Cannady performed with the Ithaca Conservatory Symphony Orchestra as the featured soloist for Glenn E. Burleigh’s Ujima from the Nguzo Saba Suite, Op. 41.
Because Mr. Cannady is a diverse individual and his talent and capable voice affords him varying styles, he enjoys singing music of differing genres including but not limited to: arias, classical art songs, spirituals, gospel, and jazz. At the invitation of Ultimate Soprano, Inc Mr. Cannady had the opportunity to stretch his Jazz chords at the 1st annual fundraiser of Ultimate Soprano, "Blacks in Wax Salute the Black Voice". However, on November 30, 2007 Mr. Cannady will explore the Classical genre in "A Diamond in the Rough", the 1st concert of Ultimate Soprano to showcase Baltimore's own up and coming new talent, and present arias by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Kurt Weil. | Jacquelyn Anderson, Mezzo-soprano November 2003 marks the release of Ms. Anderson's first CD recording entitled, ‘Til the First Lady Sings. Colonial Baptist Church sets the backdrop for this live recording of sacred music with Glenn Roscoe as collaborating artist. | 
| Mezzo-Soprano and recording artist Jacqueline Anderson is well versed in classical music, hymns, spirituals, contemporary Christian, traditional and contemporary gospel, opera, Broadway, art songs, and oratorio. She is gifted and versatile but best known as a soloist for worship services, Bible conferences, retreats and other church-related occasions. She has inspired diverse audiences throughout the United States for many years.
While Ms. Anderson continues her vocal studies with mezzo-soprano, Margaret Guchemand she prepares for her up-coming concert Sunday October 28, 2007 4:00 p.m. with pianist Dr. Frederick Minger and guest appearance by Soprano Kenneithia Mitchell, Lochearn Presbyterian Church 3800 Patterson Ave Baltimore, MD 21207. On October 19, 2007 Ms. Anderson will be the featured Mezzo-Soprano for, "Blacks in Wax Salute the Black Voice", the 1st annual fundraiser of Ultimate Soprano, Inc with selections from West Side Story by Leonard Berstein and Hello Dolly by Jerry Herman. | Tim Green, Saxophonist In August of 2005, Tim released his debut album entitled “Divine Inspiration” on G Major Records, which features hymns and spiritual songs. http://www.myspace.com/timgreenmusic | 
 | Tim Green, native of Baltimore, Maryland is a well-known saxophonist, composer and arranger. Tim was inspired by a family of musicians to get involved with music at the young age of 10. While attending high school, at the Baltimore School for the Arts, he was selected to be one of 25 members, out of 500 that applied, to participate in the All Star Grammy High School band that gave him the opportunity, at the age of 16, to perform at the Grammy’s in Los Angeles California. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 2004, where he studied with world-renowned instructors such as Dick Oatts, Gary Dail, Bob Mintzer and Steve Slagle. In May 2007, Tim graduated from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at the University of Southern California with a masters degree in Jazz Studies. While attending the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Tim studied, performed and toured with jazz greats such as, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Terrance Blanchard. Over the years Tim has had the opportunity to perform with various artists such as, Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John Fadis, Hubert Laws, Kenny Burrell, Patrice Russan, Gary Thomas, Mo Horns, Dontae Winslow, Warryn Campbell , The Movement Orchestra, Queen Latifah, the Mingus Big Band, Gary Bartz, and Wynton Marsalis. Tim has been playing with his own band that features all original music influenced by jazz and gospel music. After having the opportunity to play and record with world-renowned gospel artists Isreal Houghton, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Men Of Standard, Joe Pace and Youthful Praise, gospel music has grown to be one of Tim’s strongest influences. Tim Green’s main aspiration as a musician is to develop a sound that best describes him, through a firer and spiritual approach. Tim Green and the "Tim Greem Jazz Quartet" will be featured on October 19, 2007 in "Blacks in Wax Salute the Black Voice", the 1st annual fundraiser of Ultimate Soprano, Inc with selections from all time Jazz composers, Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein and many more. | Soloman Howard, Bass-Baritone | | Bass Baritone Soloman Howard is a native of Washington D.C. He is a child prodigy and has been performing since the age of three. He even participated in talent shows and competitions.
Mr. Howard was first introduced to classical music by Ms. Susan Alexander, director of the choral music program at Fairfax High School. She encouraged him to join the Washington Performing Arts Society Children of the Gospel Mass Choir. While a member of the WPAS, Mr. Howard had the privilege of working with Joyce Garrett, Nolan Williams Jr., Sam Bonds, Evenly Simpson-Curenton, Eric Torain and Thomas Dixon Tyler who later became Mr. Howard’s mentor.
Soloman Howard has appeared as soloist in numerous concert engagements around the world. He was a soloist in “The Kennedy Center Honors” featuring William 'Bill' Cosby. He has sung at the Guggenheim Museum in Madrid, Spain, The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Maryland, the Rockville Strathmore Symphony Hall and the White house. He has traveled to Paris, France, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Prague Czech Republic where he performed the role of Porgy in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess under the baton of Paul Freeman. Mr. Howard was asked to perform Hayden’s Lord Nelson Mass with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society at the invitation of conductor Ton Hall.
Currently, Mr. Howard is a Vocal Performance Major at Morgan State University where he had the honor of singing with the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir under the direction of the illustrious late Dr. Nathan Mitchell Carter Jr. who directed the choir and was Music Department Chairman for more than 33 years. Upon hearing Soloman Howard sing, Dr. Nathan Carter immediately offered him a full scholarship. Mr. Howard not only became a member of the choir he was also invited to join The Morgan Singers (an elite group of individuals within the choir). In Mr. Howard’s second year at Morgan State Dr. Nathan Carter passed away. While Dr. Nathan Carter made a great impact in Mr. Howard’s life he remains a member of the choir now under the direction of Dr. Eric Conway, principal accompanist for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. On November 30, 2007 Mr. Soloman will perform in "A Diamond in the Rough", the 1st concert of Ultimate Soprano, Inc. to showcase Baltimore's own up and coming new talent, and present arias by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Guiseppe Verdi. |
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