UNA Soprano to Perform, Discuss Music by African American Women Composers

FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama Department of Music and Theatre will host “‘Saving Our Lives’: Art Songs by African American Women Composers” at noon Feb. 10 in the UNA Music Building Choral Room, room 146. The lecture-recital will feature UNA music librarian Eleanor McClellan Bulathsinghalage, assisted by pianist Megan Pettus. The event is free and open to the public

The lecture-recital will include songs by Margaret Bonds, Jacqueline Hairston, Betty Jackson King, Lena McLin, Florence Price and Undine Smith-Moore.

Bulathsinghalage, a Florence native, graduated from UNA with a bachelor’s degree in music education with an emphasis in choral/vocal music.

She earned a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Louisville and has completed doctoral coursework in vocal performance at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She has also studied at the Institute for Advanced Vocal Study in Paris, France, and the Accademia Internazionale delle Arti in Rome, Italy.

Bulathsinghalage has taught on the music faculties of Bellarmine University, Wilberforce University, Central State University, the University of Dayton, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi State University and the Accademia Internazionale delle Arti. She has also taught on the summer vocal faculties of the Kentucky Center’s Governor’s School for the Arts and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. As a performer, Bulathsinghalage has been presented in solo recitals, opera and musical theatre on three continents. She is currently pursuing her own studies and research and working as a music library specialist at the UNA and as director of music at Edgemont United Methodist Church in Florence.

University of North Alabama Florence, AL 35632 | 1.800.TALK.UNA Feb. 5, 2010 For more information, contact the UNA Department of Music and Theatre at 256-765-4375 or jbaughman@una.edu.