Meet our mentor: Candace Johnson

In the Spring of 2021 at The Marsh Theater, Johnson premiered a solo musical performance series titled The Art Songs of Black Composers, wherein she uniquely integrates vocal performance, theatrical storytelling, and music analysis — all to champion the songs and lives of African American composers past and present.

Also a fitness enthusiast, in 2020, Johnson launched FitnesSing!™, a new vocal health approach she designed that combines vocal training with physical fitness and dance. FitnesSing!™ streams live every Friday at noon on The Marsh Theater’s virtual platform, the MarshStream. It is quickly becoming the rave with singers of every skill level.

In 2018, Johnson premiered her first one-woman show, VOX in a BOX– the musical biography of how she found her “voice.” In VOX in a BOX Johnson uniquely fuses her black music heritage and classical training with storytelling to explore themes of identity, race, belonging, and freedom of expression.

On the voice faculty at the University of California-Berkeley since 2009, Johnson teaches applied voice classes and a musicology course she designed based on her research and performance of works by African-American composers. Prior to her current appointment, she was awarded a Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in the music department. Johnson earned her doctorate in voice performance from the University of Michigan, where she studied with the late Shirley Verrett, as well as George Shirley and Willis Patterson.

Hope Briggs, Guest Artist

A native of New Jersey, Hope drew a rave review from Opera News for her San Francisco Opera debut as the Duchess of Parma in Busoni’s Doktor Faust “… Hope Briggs was stellar, delivering one of the evening’s highlights with her lusciously intoned, lovelorn aria.” 

​Most recently, Ms. Briggs sang the role of Lucinda in Opera San Jose’s workshop of Jake Heggie’s newest opera, Intelligence, and made her debut with Reno Chamber Orchestra in Beethoven’s Ah! Perfido. She also appeared as Marschallin in excerpts of Der Rosenkavalier with Fremont Symphony Orchestra, performed Bruckner’s Te Deum with Oakland Symphony, returned to Baton Rouge for Opéra Louisiane’s 10th Anniversary Gala, and made two important role debuts: Nedda in I Pagliacci with Festival Opera and the title role in Joplin’s Treemonisha with Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. She also sang Cio Cio San in Madama Butterfly with Opéra Louisiane, debuted at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, and sang Verdi’s Messa da Requiem with the San Francisco Choral Society at Davies Symphony Hall.

Lamar Green, Guest Artist

At the age of 7, Lamar picked up a pair of drumsticks and immediately consummated his love for that thing called gospel music. It was through the rhythm of the drum that Green saw a world of possibilities that by age 16 had him playing the piano and composing the music he heard singing in his soul. That song never ended and it was that song that inspired Green to pursue his B.A in Music and Music Theory, thus paving the way for all of the work Green would go on to do as a leader and great talent.

This accomplished pianist / drummer/ composer / vocalist looks to diverse musical worlds in his fusions of gospel, jazz, R&B, pop and contemporary sounds that are sure to satisfy the listening ear. Soothing audiences all over with his unique chord arrangements and distinctive harmonic melodies Lamar, hailing from New Jersey, has definitely made his mark in the world, as a musician to be reckoned with.

Thank you to our venue partner, New Destiny Church!

New Destiny is a multi-cultural apostolic church that strengthens families and goes beyond the wall of the church to impact our region.