LIFT EVERY VOICE:
A Singer Showcase
Lift Every Voice: A Singer Showcase is a series of free-to-the-public music concerts that are presented to honor the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January each year. The next series will be in January 2027.
The concerts feature classic compositions that celebrate and reflect on the legacy of the African American civil rights movement. The program is directed by Dr. Dee Spencer of San Francisco State University. Each performance will feature the Dee Spencer Trio, a headline guest artist and a lineup of solo community singers. Members of the public wishing to participate in the concerts as vocalists, please read the following regarding auditions.
Lift Every Voice Auditions
Lift Every Voice auditions are open to non-professional participants of all ages. Prior vocal training is not required.
Those auditioning will be asked to sing memorized songs of their choice that are representative of pivotal genres of Black American music (for example, Spirituals, Jazz, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Funk and Soul). Given the theme of the showcase, it is preferable that at least one of the songs relate to MLK’s legacy or the civil rights movement.
Auditions will take place live in-person (21 years or over only) OR online (all ages) and can include prerecorded videos uploaded to the YouTube or Vimeo platforms.
For more information on auditions, to schedule an on-line audition or to submit links to a prerecorded video, send an email to Dr. Spencer at [email protected]
Live auditions will take place on a walk-in basis at:
Dee's Keys
BEAUX SF
2344 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED
For questions about the audition process, send an email to [email protected]. For non-audition related questions, send an email to [email protected] or call the San Francisco International Arts Festival office at 415-399-9554.
Artist Biographies
Dee Spencer
Dee Spencer is a Professor of Jazz and Musical Theatre in the School of Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Dee received her B.S. from Florida A&M; M.M. at Washington University in St. Louis; and EdD, University of San Francisco. Dee founded the Jazz Studies degree program in the School of Music at SFSU and served as director for five years. Dee founded the San Francisco Jazz Organization (SFJAZZ) education program. Her former students include recording artists/producers, Braxton Brothers, Beyonce’s music director, saxophonist Tia Fuller, and Lauren Hill’s music director, saxophonist Howard Wiley.
Members of the Dee Spencer Trio
Jewell McMillon (Bass)
Jewell is a bassist, music artist and mathematician from the Bay Area who has been a member of the musician and artist community in the Bay for the last five years. She is heavily influenced by all styles of Black American Music and her peers in the community. She’s recently had the pleasure of being a member of bands that played at the 2023 Black Joy Parade, The Chapel, and California Academy of Sciences and is excited about continuing to share community and music with the Bay Area and beyond.
Jayla Hernandez (Drums)
Jayla is a drummer, student and jazz enthusiast, who embodies the sound of West Oakland soul infused with the energy of young artists just like herself. Jayla Graduated from Oakland School from the Arts in 2020 and is currently pursuing her BM in Jazz Studies at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Jayla has had the pleasure of working with various artist through the years and plans to continue that journey while playing and exploring the world of Black Music.
Funders
The Lift Every Voice for Dr. King: A Singer Showcase is presented with the support of the San Francisco Arts Commission.
