Tiffany Williams Cole, soprano &
GeDeane Graham-Gipson, mezzo-soprano
Friday, April 24 @ 7 P.M.
This Little Light of Mine
Tiffany and GeDeane will present a recital that will inspire you to let your light shine! A commissioned medley of gospel songs and spirituals by the phenomenal African American composer Stacey V. Gibbs anchors their repertoire. The addition of opera arias, art songs, and spirituals makes this performance rooted in tradition and overflowing with soul.
Tiffany Williams Cole, Soprano, is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. She received a Master of Music degree in voice performance from Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with world-renowned mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson. Tiffany made her debut with the Indiana University Opera Theatre in Fall 2015 as Sister Rose in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking. In 2020, she was named the first-place winner in the Southern Region NATS Young Artist Competition held in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was a finalist in the National NATS Young Artist Competition in New York City, New York. Her international accomplishments include touring various parts of Germany as a concert soloist with Indiana University’s African American Chorale Ensemble and Spain with soprano, Bridget Bazille. This is not her first appearance with Vesper Concert Series. In 2019, she appeared as the guest soloist alongside Dr. Raymond Wise in A Gospel Experience: Building Community.
A native of Bay Springs, MS, mezzo-soprano GeDeane Graham-Gipson is known for her rich low range and refulgent top voice. This past summer Graham-Gipson returned to the role of Annie (Porgy and Bess) in performances with Des Moines Metro Opera. Graham-Gipson returned to Art Song Colorado (“Voices of the African Diaspora”), where she made her concert debut in the spring of 2022 in collaboration with Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Previous notable performances include Peter Grimes (Auntie) and Albert Herring (Mrs. Herring). As a dramatic-yet-lyrical mezzo-soprano, Graham has gained attention in several national and international competitions. She received the Audience Favorite Award at the Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition, and has been a finalist for the George Shirley Vocal Competition, MiOpera Vocal Competition, D’Angelo Vocal Competition and Partners of the Arts competition, among others.
“[GeDeane Graham-Gipson] tickled the audience by explaining the aria in colloquial terms but there was nothing colloquial about her singing; it was very classic.”
View the artists’ social media platforms below!
Tiffany Williams Cole
GeDeane Graham-Gipson