Jamaican-Born Soprano for Concert in Toronto

Arts and Culture Jamaica Inc. will present one of Jamaica’s premier classical performers, Dawn-Marie, in concert on November 19, 2005.

The concert, billed as “an evening of Christmas music”, will take place at the Unionville Alliance Church, 4898 16th Avenue in Unionville, just north of Toronto.

Dr. Barry Davies will accompany the internationally renowned soprano who will thrill her audience with traditional Christmas songs and some Jamaican folk favourites.

Dawn-Marie has performed with the National Chorale and Orchestra of Jamaica, Jamaica School of Music and the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company, and represented Jamaica at singing competitions around the world, including Spain, Germany and Brazil.

A resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Dawn-Marie has also performed extensively with the Atlanta opera since 1989, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Bach Choir, the Atlanta Chamber Orchestra and the Cobb Symphony Orchestra.

The staging of the concert by Arts and Culture Jamaica Inc. is in keeping with the 10 year-old organization’s mandate to showcase the unique arts and culture of Jamaica.

Thanks to Arts and Culture Jamaica Inc, in 2005 residents of Toronto have been exposed to Jamaica’s literary and fine arts.

In April the group hosted the Toronto launch of Douglas Manley’s book, ‘The Candidate’, and in September an exhibition featuring artists Paul Blackwood, Lennox Coke and Alphanso Blake was mounted at the Jamaican Consulate.

Proceeds from the Dawn-Marie concert will go towards the organization’s scholarship fund launched several years ago, to offer “financial support to talented young people pursuing a career in the arts”.

So far six students studying at post-secondary institutions in Toronto have been awarded Arts and Culture Jamaica Scholarships.

The two winners of the 2005/2006 scholarships will be announced on the night of the concert.