Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is Professor of Music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin as well as principal adviser for AfriClassical.com He tells AfriClassical that Dr. Mellasenah Y. Morris, an African American pianist, has accepted the position of Dean of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. She will leave her current position as Director and Professor of the School of Music at The Ohio State University in July.
Mellasenah Y. Morris, a native of Norfolk, earned her undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Music where she studied with Julio Esteban. She has performed in masterclasses with such renowned artists as Leon Fleisher, Irvin Freundlich, Fernando Laires, and David Burge. Also, she has received coachings from Ann Schein and William Bolcom. Dr. Morris gave a debut recital at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1979. Since that time, her performances have included solo recitals in Maryland, Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, England; lecture-recitals in Delaware, Mississippi, and Alabama; and numerous appearances as an accompanist and chamber music performer, specializing in contemporary music.
She has appeared as soloist with the Atlanta University Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Maryland Women's Symphony Orchestra, and the James Madison University Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. She appears frequently in recitals with her daughter, Dr. Mellasenah Edwards, a concert violinist. Along with a varied performing career, Dr. Morris has enjoyed several academic appointments. She has served on the Peabody Preparatory Department and the Peabody Conservatory.
She also has held administrative positions, serving as Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at Peabody, Dean of the School of Music and Professor of Piano at Alabama State University, and Director of the School of Music and Professor of Piano at James Madison University. Currently, she is Director of the School of Music and Professor of Piano at The Ohio State University. In addition, Dr. Morris is active in the National Association of Schools of Music, the accrediting agency for university programs in the United States, currently serving as a member of the Commission for Accreditation. Her most recent scholarly pursuit was the completion of a biographical sketch on American composer Florence Price for Carlson Publications. [Florence B. Price is profiled at AfriClassical.com]
Dr. Mellasenah Morris
African American Pianist
Peabody Conservatory Dean
African American Music Dean
Black Professor
Classical Music
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