Known for riveting operatic and concert performances over the past thirty (30) years, Leah Brown's dramatic mezzo could be heard most recently singing the roles of Giovanna in Opera Vivente's 'Rigoletto', Monisha in an MSU production of 'Treemonisha' and appearing in UConn Opera Theater productions as Baba in 'The Medium' and Tituba in 'The Crucible'. In 2005, she debuted the role of "Sarah", Jefferson's mistress, in a new opera, 'Jefferson and Poe', composed by Damon Ferrante that received very favorable reviews in Baltimore and New York. She recently appeared as the Alto soloist in Mendelsohn's 'Elijah' in Jamaica.

 

Dr. Brown graduated summa cum laude from Talladega College and subsequently received a Master of Arts (MA) from Morgan State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from the University of Connecticut. Her research interests include the music of African derived religions in the Caribbean and their use in ritual healing. She has presented papers at College Music Society National Conferences; "Earthtones: Exploring Cultures through Song", 2012 (Co-presenter: Dr. Mary Ellen Junda) and "The Healing Songs of the Orisa of Trinidad and Tobago", 2010. Dr Brown currently teaches voice and Ethnomusicology at The Academy where she is also the Programme Leader for the Artist Diploma in Music Performance.