Dr. Jessica Spafford, Judson College’s newest Assistant Professor of Music, will perform as a guest artist at James Madison University’s 38th annual Contemporary Music Festival Oct. 22-23 in Harrisonburg, Va. The festival will feature works by composers Libby Larsen and Joseph Klein.
Spafford earned her Master of Music degree from Duquesne University, followed by a D.M.A. in music performance, pedagogy, and literature from James Madison University (2017). She joined the Music faculty at Judson College in August 2018.
In addition to her teaching schedule at Judson, Spafford has maintained an active professional performing career as a coloratura soprano. Spafford has performed numerous leading roles in her career, such as Soeur Constance in Dialogues des Carmélites, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Musetta in La Bohème, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor, and Cunegonde in Candide. Most recently, she collaborated as an opera workshop masterclass clinician at the University of Colorado and performed in Buffalo, NY with the Bach Early Music Consortium at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Additionally, she will collaborate with Judson College Music Department Chair, Dr. Cindy St. Clair, for a joint faculty recital in February 2019. The duo will also present a recital at Auburn University in February and perform at the Music by Women Festival at the Mississippi University for Women in March 2019.
For more information about the Contemporary Music Festival, download a flyer here, or contact Dr. Spafford at jspafford@judson.edu.
