Javacya Arts Conservatory is honored to announce that Dr. Nicole Wright, acclaimed violinist, violist, arranger, international performer, and visionary educator, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Trailblazer in Strings Education and Community Impact Award. The award will be presented during the Second Annual Distinguished Black Classical Excellence Awards on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in Lee Hall Auditorium at Florida A&M University.
Dr. Wright, a celebrated artist and educator, has forged an exceptional career marked by artistic mastery, educational innovation, and a steadfast commitment to expanding access to classical music. A graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree, she has distinguished herself as one of the leading voices in string pedagogy and culturally relevant string education.
A dynamic performer, Dr. Wright has appeared with major ensembles including the Symphony in C Orchestra, New York Festival Orchestra, Carnegie Hall’s Link Up Orchestra, and the Harlem Chamber Players. She has performed as an onstage musician at the Metropolitan Opera and was featured at the White House Correspondents Dinner Pre-Party under the Obama administration. Her versatility has also led to national spotlight appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The David Letterman Show.
Her collaborations span an extraordinary range of genres and artists. Dr. Wright has worked with global icons such as Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Rick Ross, Mark Ronson, Jon Batiste, Metro Boomin, and Yebba Smith, and was featured in the acclaimed Netflix series High on the Hog. Internationally, she has performed in Guadeloupe, France with Ensemble du Monde, in Panama City, Panama with the Funsincopa organization, and across the tri-state area with the Wordless Orchestra.
Equally impactful is Dr. Wright’s leadership in music education. As a Master Teacher for OPUS 118 Harlem School of Music, she trains aspiring violin instructors, shaping a new generation of teachers who are grounded in excellence, cultural relevance, and community-centered practice. Her work has directly empowered countless young musicians—many of whom see themselves represented in classical music for the first time because of her influence, visibility, and advocacy.
Dr. Wright’s career has been marked by numerous accolades recognizing her performance achievements, educational leadership, and advocacy for equity in the arts. Her presence as a performer, pedagogue, and cultural ambassador continues to redefine what is possible in the world of strings and in the future of classical music.
“Dr. Wright embodies the essence of this award—innovation, excellence, and community impact,” said representatives of the Javacya Distinguished Awards Committee. “Her work resonates across generations, across genres, and across continents. Her reach is global, but her impact on children and communities is profoundly personal and transformative.
Patrice Jackson is carving out a name for herself as a gifted and charismatic soloist. The Detroit News has described her as a “big-toned, boldly projected soloist” and the Hartford Courant complimented her “effortless facility, playful phrasing, and a sense of spontaneity that one hears usually only from the highest caliber of musicians.”
Since winning the Sphinx Competition in 2002, Jackson has performed with multiple symphonies, including those of Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas, New Jersey, and Milwaukee, as well as with the Philadelphia Orchestra. She made her international orchestral and recital debuts in South Africa in 2002. Highlights of her 2018–2019 season include performances with the Boston Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Conservatory Recital series, an orchestral performance at New England's Jordan Hall, and debuting with the musical Jagged Little Pill at Boston's A.R.T.
Jackson has been a student of Janos Starker, Aldo Parisot, Joel Krosnick, and Bonnie Hampton. She is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York and the Yale School of Music in New Haven, and is currently associate professor of cello at Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Career Highlights
Performed in the Broadway musicals Jagged Little Pill and Jesus Christ Superstar on NBC
Performances with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and Nikki Minaj
Patrice’s Story
“I'm the product of two educators who taught me the need to set a standard for common understanding and respect on day one. Also, my teachers did not take any nonsense. That’s something I pass on to my students. But having high expectations doesn't mean you can’t enjoy what you do. I try to be the kind of teacher who balances high expectations and having fun."
"I've played classical repertoire since I was little. Some think that if you play something often enough, it could become boring or repetitive. But every time I play a concerto, I find something new. And I ask myself, 'How can I relate to this audience? How can I play this part differently?' If I do that, then the audience will respond."
"As a cellist, I'm a well-established classical soloist, but I've also done everything else: performed in the hip-hop world; toured with a rock band; and worked with Mark O’Connor, an amazing Appalachian bluegrass fiddler. I do pretty much everything, so whatever students come to me wanting to learn how to do, I say, 'I can show you that.'"
"I want my students to walk away knowing they have done the best they can do. I also want them to be open-minded and understand the need to have the best facility they can have on the cello, no matter what style of music they play. I don't want them to pass up a gig because they 'don’t know how to do that.' I've done that. Then I figured out I could do other things—and I realized that's what keeps a roof over your head and food in the refrigerator."
A bright light in the world of opera and academia, Dr. Phyllis Lewis-Hale has built an extraordinary career as a lyric soprano, scholar, educator, and leader. With performances spanning Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Austria, Bermuda, and across the United States, she has captivated audiences with her artistry and commitment to expanding the reach of Black composers and operatic traditions.
A distinguished artist, she has earned numerous accolades, including First Prize in the IBLA Grand Prize International “Monteverdi” Vocal Competition in Italy, honors in the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Vocal Competition, and an Encouragement Award from the Central Region of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards. Her artistry is featured in a recorded performance of Songs of Separation by William Grant Still for WGUC Radio in Cincinnati.
She has performed with esteemed opera companies such as Indianapolis Opera, Opera Memphis, Mississippi Opera, Opera Ebony of New York, Houston Ebony Opera, and OPERA/SOUTH of Jackson, MS. She has recorded "Songs of Separation" by William Grant Still for WGUC Radio in Cincinnati.
Beyond the stage, Dr. Lewis-Hale has distinguished herself as a leading scholar and advocate for African American operatic traditions and art songs. Her research explores the resurgence of the Negro Spiritual, the legacy of Black opera companies, and the preservation of Afro-diasporic musical heritage. She has delivered lectures and performances at prestigious conferences, including the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the National Association of African-American Studies (NAAAS), and the College Music Society (CMS). Her publication, From Old Creole Days: Sampling the Afro-Creole Folk Song of Louisiana of the Late Nineteenth through the Twentieth Centuries, is featured in the Journal of Singing.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Lewis-Hale holds the Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music Education from Jackson State University. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Opera/Musical Theater Workshop at Jackson State University. Her leadership extends to national organizations, having served as Mississippi District Governor and President of Mississippi NATS, as well as Vice President for Collegiate and National Competitions of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association.
Dr. Lewis-Hale is the Founder and President of the HBCU Opera & Musical Theater Collective, a coalition of 16 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) dedicated to fostering excellence in opera and musical theater. Under her leadership, the Collective has hosted an annual virtual forum since 2022, welcoming internationally renowned artists such as Denyce Graves, Limmie Pulliam, Russell Thomas, Tichina Vaughn, Richard Hobson, and Marquita Lister.
Furthering her legacy of impact, Dr. Lewis-Hale is spearheading the revitalization of OPERA/SOUTH at Jackson State University, a historic opera company that has long been a cornerstone of African American operatic excellence. With the support of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant, she launched the S.O.S. (Summer OPERA/SOUTH) Boot Camp, a one-week intensive pilot training program for HBCU students. This initiative, in collaboration with Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana, culminated in a free community concert on June 14, 2025, highlighting student performers. Supported by a new NEA grant, Summer 2026 marks the debut of the HBCU Opera & Musical Theater Summer Festival, to be held at Jackson State University in June 2026. Music students nominated by voice and instrumental faculty from the HBCU Opera & Musical Theater Collective auditioned for inclusion in this landmark initiative.
Dr. Phyllis Lewis-Hale’s career is a testament to excellence, leadership, and cultural advocacy. Through performance, scholarship, and education, she continues to transform the landscape of opera, ensuring that the voices and stories of Black artists remain an integral part of the classical music canon.
Javacya Arts Conservatory proudly announces Dr. Lisa Beckley-Roberts as the 2026 recipient of the Luminary in Ethnomusicology, Artistic Innovation, and Global Music Leadership Award. This distinguished honor will be presented at the Second Annual Distinguished Black Classical Excellence Awards and Concert, held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in the historic Lee Hall Auditorium on the campus of Florida A&M University.
Dr. Beckley-Roberts is recognized nationally and internationally as a visionary ethnomusicologist, harpist, scholar, and educator whose work bridges African and classical musical traditions with depth, authenticity, and transformative insight. Her groundbreaking research, artistic practice, and academic leadership have advanced cultural understanding and inspired artists and students around the world to experience music as both an intellectual pursuit and a spiritual journey.
Through her leadership at Jackson State University, Dr. Beckley-Roberts has expanded, redefined, and elevated the study of music in higher education. Her commitment to preserving diasporic musical heritage while fostering innovative artistic expression exemplifies the very purpose of this award: to honor those whose work reshapes the narrative of classical and global music for future generations.
“Dr. Beckley-Roberts embodies the spirit of a true luminary,” said representatives of the Distinguished Awards Committee. “Her scholarship, creativity, and global vision light pathways for emerging artists and scholars, and her voice continues to shape the world’s understanding of African diasporic musical traditions.”
The Distinguished Black Classical Excellence Awards Committee, in collaboration with Javacya Arts Conservatory, proudly announces that Dr. Mark Butler, Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at Florida A&M University, has been selected as the recipient of the Distinguished Choral Leadership & Sacred Music Excellence Award.
This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Butler’s exceptional leadership, artistry, and unwavering dedication to the preservation and advancement of the Negro Spiritual tradition.
Dr. Butler is a composer, conductor, pianist, baritone, and music educator whose career has profoundly shaped the choral landscape. A proud alumnus of Florida A&M University (B.S. in Music Education), he earned a Master of Music Education from Florida State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting from The American Conservatory of Music in Hammond, Indiana.
At Florida A&M University, Dr. Butler serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies, where he conducts the University Concert Choir and other ensembles. He teaches courses in Choral Conducting and Techniques, Class Piano, Applied Voice, and African American Music, inspiring generations of students.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Butler is a sought-after choral consultant, adjudicator, and clinician, serving at district, state, and national festivals, including NATS vocal competitions. His compositions and arrangements of Negro Spirituals are widely performed, celebrated for their artistry and cultural resonance.
Dr. Butler has conducted major works such as Handel’s Messiah, Verdi’s Requiem, and Vivaldi’s Gloria, and has collaborated with ensembles including the Perdido Symphony Orchestra and the FAMU Concert Chorale. His works have been featured at American Choral Directors Association conferences and other prestigious national and international events.
Through his scholarship, mentorship, and artistry, Dr. Butler has become a leading voice in the preservation and reimagining of sacred Black choral repertoire, ensuring its vitality for future generations.
Javacya Arts Conservatory, in collaboration with the Distinguished Black Classical Excellence Awards Committee, is honored to announce that Mr. Joe Williams, pianist, scholar, and cultural visionary from the University of Hawaiʻi, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Vanguard Award for Classical Innovation and Community Impact.
This distinguished honor will be presented at the Second Annual Distinguished Black Classical Excellence Awards & Concert on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Florida A&M University’s historic Lee Hall Auditorium.
Mr. Williams is celebrated for his groundbreaking artistry and scholarship, which have redefined and expanded the classical music landscape. His performances and research illuminate underrepresented narratives within the art form, bringing forward voices and traditions that have historically been marginalized.
As a pianist of extraordinary depth and sensitivity, Mr. Williams has performed across the United States and internationally, earning acclaim for his ability to merge technical mastery with cultural storytelling. His scholarship has been equally impactful, with research that challenges conventional frameworks and highlights the intersections of classical music with African American, Indigenous, and diasporic traditions.
At the University of Hawaiʻi, Mr. Williams serves as a professor, mentor, and artistic leader, fostering dynamic collaborations between students, faculty, and community partners. He has championed new works by emerging composers, curated innovative concert programs, and built bridges between diverse cultural communities and the classical tradition. His teaching emphasizes not only musical excellence but also the importance of cultural identity, social responsibility, and artistic courage.
Through his steadfast commitment to mentorship, Mr. Williams has ensured that new generations of artists gain access to pathways once closed to them, opening doors for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to thrive in classical music. His dedication to innovation and social impact embodies the very essence of the Vanguard Award: honoring leaders who shape the future of classical music through creativity, generosity, and meaningful community engagement.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Mr. Williams’ remarkable contributions to the arts,” said representatives of the Distinguished Awards Committee. “His work exemplifies excellence not only in performance and scholarship but also in the transformative impact he has on the communities he serves.”