Johnaye Kendrick earned a bachelor of music degree from Western Michigan University. During her time at WMU, she received a DownBeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist.
Ms. Kendrick also holds an artist’s diploma from the Thelonious Monk Institute, where she worked with jazz musicians, including Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Danilo Perez, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Brian Blade. Johnaye also has a master’s degree in jazz studies from Loyola University.
After graduating from the Monk Institute, Johnaye worked with trumpeter Nicholas Payton. She has also been a featured vocalist with the Ellis Marsalis Quartet and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, which won a 2009 Grammy Award for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album” for Book 1 on which Ms. Kendrick is featured.
Johnaye has performed at numerous festivals, concert halls and jazz clubs. She has recorded, produced and released two CDs for the johnygirl label: Here and Flying.
Johnaye is professor of music at the Cornish College of the Arts.
Pianist/vocalist/composer Dawn Clement has established herself as one of the most sought-after musicians working today. With her joyful presence, consummate technique and distinctive sound, Clement has gained the attention and respect of musicians, critics, and fans through the U.S. and abroad.
Dawn recently formed a new band called Esthesis Quartet who that has released two albums. Dawn was the recipient of the CMA performance plus grant (2021) to compose for Esthesis Quartet and work with artist-educator Bill Frisell.
Dawn has expanded into contemporary pop with Tempest/ Cobalt (2013) and most recently a self-released project of original songs entitled Islands.
Dawn holds a bachelor of music degree from Cornish College of the Arts and a master of fine arts in music composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is assistant professor and area coordinator of the Jazz and American Improvised Music Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Dawn maintains a rigorous teaching and performing schedule.
Tuesday, March 19 • 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20 • 10:30 a.m.