top of page

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

What are people saying about Black Pearl?  

Barnes.jpg
Black Pearl receives Presser Foundation Advancement of Music grant

2024-02-26

The Presser Foundation awarded Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra an Advancement of Music grant, supporting our music performances and community engagement initiatives that cultivate diverse audiences.

Barnes.jpg
"No Time to be Timid" podcast features Maestro Johnson

2023-07-17

Listen to Tricia Rose Burt's "No Time to be Timid" podcast episode #4 with Jeri Lynne Johnson: The Power of Grit

Barnes.jpg
The New York Times quotes Maestro Johnson in article on U.S. Orchestra Diversity

2023-06-16

Jeri Lynne Johnson shares with the New York Times that rather than waiting for the system to change, underrepresented artists are creating opportunities and building paths for one another.

Barnes.jpg
Maestro Jeri Lynne Johnson featured on Good Morning America

2023-03-23

Good Morning America featured founding and artistic director Jeri Lynne Johnson's trailblazing career leading orchestras around the world and starting her own ensemble, Black Pearl! Hear what inspired her to pick up the baton, how she overcame obstacles as an African American female conductor, and why she is dedicated to being a changemaker in classical music.

Barnes.jpg
Maestro Johnson conducts The Kennedy Center honoree Tania León's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Stride"

2022-12-04

Jeri Lynne Johnson conducted Tania León's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Stride" as part of the Kennedy Center Honors 2022! Watch the CBS broadcast on Dec. 28.

Barnes.jpg
Cultural Attaché talks to Jeri Lynne Johnson about LA Phil's Rock My Soul Festival and her career goals

2022-11-09

Cultural Attaché caught up with Jeri Lynne Johnson about her two performances leading the LA Philharmonic for the Rock My Soul Festival and the "war of attrition" in attaining her career goals as a Black female conductor.

Barnes.jpg
Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra receives $300K Mellon Foundation grant

2022-07-25

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra has received a transformative $300,00 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support its community-centered programming.

Barnes.jpg
ARP Grant Spotlight: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra

2022-07-13

The pandemic strained the arts sector, but National Endowment for the Arts' support enabled Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra to continue performing and ensure that diversity becomes a key part of the arts ecosystem.

Barnes.jpg
Founder Jeri Lynne Johnson featured in MSNBC

2022-06-11

Founder and Artistic Director Jeri Lynne Johnson channeled her rage from an audition rejection by creating the diverse, critically acclaimed Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra in Philadelphia.

Barnes.jpg
The University of Chicago Magazine features Maestro Johnson

2022-04-13

Jeri Lynne Johnson discusses joining art and activism in her Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra.

Barnes.jpg
Orchestrating Change: An Interview with Maestro Jeri Lynne Johnson

2022-01-28

Canton Symphony Orchestra's Orchestrating Change podcast sits down with Jeri Lynne Johnson to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in classical music

Barnes.jpg
The New York Times highlights Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra as a leader in racial equity

2021-01-27

The New York Times features Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, led by Jeri Lynne Johnson, as a small but mighty organization leading the way in creating new models for classical music.

bottom of page