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.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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

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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.

Black Pearl has been approved by the NEA for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $10,000! This grant will support a commission and premiere by award-winning composer and pianist Courtney Bryan! In total, the NEA will award 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $37 million as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants.

Maestro Jeri Lynne Johnson conducted the orchestra in a groundbreaking Polaris Dawn collaboration, featuring astronaut Sarah Gillis performing "Rey’s Theme" from space alongside El Sistema musicians!

Black Pearl's Founder and Artistic Director Jeri Lynne Johnson will conduct "On Dissonance" as part of Eldorado Ballroom: Houston, performance series curated by Solange Knowles for her multidisciplinary creative hub, Saint Heron. Presented by Performing Arts Houston and Project Row Houses, the performance is on June 10, 2025, and brings together artists across genres to honor the legacy of Houston's historic Third Ward.