Rest In Peace to the amazing, talented and beautiful Angela Bofill (1954-2024) 💔🕊️
I know BMA is known for its documentary-style features on music theory and vocal technique. Would you all like to see/hear many of the interviews/conversations with teachers and singers discussing vocal technique? I have many in my archive.
I'm EXCITED about my upcoming video! It's been quite some time since I've felt this level of excitement for a project!
I was 8 years old, home from school, and watching "Between The Lions" on PBS because we didn't have cable. I saw a beautiful woman in a baby blue two-piece sweater set, with hair to the heavens, "Denyce Graves will sing the Y sound in Butterfly," the announcer said, and out came a sound I had never heard before! That was my introduction to classical singing! The next day, I went to the public library and checked out her "Voce Di Donna" CD, and I haven't looked back. Last night, I finally got to meet the LEGENDARY Denyce Graves! Thank you so much, Maestra, for fostering my love for classical music!
Thank you to @Koko3op for being the first-ever sponsor of an EXPLAINED video. EXPLAINED episodes require significant time and money, and I am grateful that their sponsorship helped alleviate these costs. I appreciate that they saw BMA as a viable platform to request and sponsor a video on their favorite artist. If you want to sponsor a video or series on your favorite artist or a particular topic, please email blackmusicarchive@gmail.com.
New EXPLAINED coming this week! Can you guess the artist?!
I had the honor of attending a masterclass with the fantastic baritone Lucas Meachem @LucasMeachem1 throughout the afternoon; he poured so much knowledge and inspiration into all of us! And I won a SCORE to learn Bizet’s Carmen! Thank you, Maestro Meachem, for a beautiful evening of music and education!
Black Music Archive ventured into the live event space this weekend by producing living legend, Grammy-Award-winning, and Metropolitan Opera legend Leona Mitchell in a SOLD-OUT concert at the St. Jean Theatre.
Too often, our legends give so much to the industry and are mistreated and tossed to the side, usually way before their time, leaving fans to ask, “Where did they go?” The mission of BMA is to share, preserve, and now present legacy artists to not just their longtime fans but to newer, younger generations.
The concert was followed Sunday with Miss Mitchell teaching the next generation in a SOLD-OUT masterclass presented in collaboration with the Black Leadership Arts Collective! Miss Mitchell poured her wisdom, advice, and love into not just the young singers performing but all artists at various points in their careers.
In an industry that can foster division, cross-generational exchanges such as this rarely happen. TWO SOLD-OUT, standing-room-only events say there is space and place for those at the beginning and end of their careers! I will continue to find ways to invest in and present them and unite generations through music.
Mother Mitchell, thank you for giving me a chance; you are loved; I love you. Legacy artists, I love you. Young artists, I love you.
Milik ❤️
Black Music Archive's FIRST live event, "Presenting Legendary MET Soprano Leona Mitchell," is set to take place this Friday, April 19th, in New York City, followed by a Vocal Masterclass at Opera America on Sunday, April 21! And both are NEARLY SOLD OUT!!!!! If you are interested in attending either of the events and price point is an issue, please email me at blackmusicarchive@gmail.com. I have a limited number of complimentary tickets available for BMA subscribers!
"Black Music Archive" was founded by the talented multidisciplinary artist Milik Kashad. Through unique documentary-style features, he explores and shares the rich history and influence of Black experiences through the lens of music.