Embracing Our Roots: A conversation with Dr. Yolanda Williams & PaviElle French

Join Dr. Yolanda Williams and PaviElle French, two beloved culture bearers of the Twin Cities Black music community, as they recall the path and people that have led to their becoming composers of songs for the people. This event continues a series of intergenerational discussions between African American creatives and is co-sponsored by Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life, the University of Minnesota School of Music, More Than A Single Story discussion series, and the In Black Ink publishing arts initiative.

Light refreshments will be served. Please register if you plan to attend!

The event takes place at Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall in Ferguson Hall. Parking is is available at the 21st Avenue Ramp (link to Google maps).

About the Speakers

Rev. Yolanda Y. Williams, Ph.D., is a performer, educator, scholar, and pastor. Yolanda performed soprano and mezzo-soprano repertoire with Vocalessence, the Rochester Symphony, La Choeur Symphonique de Fribourg, Lundi Sept Heures, Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien, the Montreux Symphony, and the Israel Philharmonic. Her worldwide performances have been of music from the Classical, Jazz, Blues, and Gospel genres. Dr. Williams teaches music as a cultural artifact through the African American/African Studies department at the University of Minnesota. Scholarly work on musical styles and genres of the African Diaspora can be found in the Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Folklore (2005) and the Encyclopedia of African American Music (2010). With the completion of a second master’s degree, Yolanda became a pastor in the United Methodist Church. She was ordained in May 2023 and serves a congregation in Fridley, Minnesota.

PaviElle French is known for such works as A Requiem for Zula (2018) written in celebration of her mother’s life; Sands of Time (2021) with The SPCO (commissioned by The Sands Family); a self-produced album called SOVEREIGN (2020); The SOVEREIGN Suite (2022) commissioned by The Schubert Club in connection with PaviElle’s Artist- in- Residence with The American Composer Forum (22-24); and has most recently released The SOVEREIGN Suite Video filmed by Peter Myers, and Soundtrack in December of 2023. PaviElle is finishing up both her ACF Residency (2022-24), and Jerome Artist Fellowship (2021-23). She is currently working with a stellar team of educators toward a curriculum based on her work through her SOVEREIGN Series. For more info, please check out her website.