Charlotte, NC/Feb 12, 2026 - For the Love of Music sent a joyous noise throughout the campus of Johnson C. Smith University the evening of February 12, 2026 inside Grimes Lounge in the Mary Joyce Taylor Crisp Student Union. Dr. Shawn-Allyce White, Professor of Music, served as Director alongside Dr. Barbara Buck as vocal consultant and Mr. Frank Williams as piano accompanist.
"I was inspired to present, For the Love of Music, to foster a lifelong passion for music, empower young musicians, strengthen community engagement, encourage a wider appreciation for the arts, and share the transformative power of music," White explained.
White aimed to share the transformative power of music through teaching. She teaches six of the 10 performers on stage that night through private music lessons. Fabiola Perez, a young soprano, is aming White's students. Perez started things off with a jubilant rendition of "Tomorrow" from Annie. The young singer has trained extensively in voice, dance, and theater. For her second number, Perez led an ensemble performance that summoned the audience to dance in their seats.
The display of talent during the evening was enormous. Dr. Vincent Phillips played a powerful Etude Op 10 #11 Revolutionary on the piano. He followed this performance with another incredible performance. Dr. Phillips tickled the ivories once again with an intricate, jazzy interpretation of "Troubled Water" by Margaret Bonds on keyboard. He is a true maestro on the piano.
The variety of performances offered a rich tapestry of talent. Young Blaire Rhee, daughter of Professor Marsha Rhee, Ph.D., engaged the piano in a rhythmic Aardvark Boogie by Nancy and Randall Fabee. Her second song, "The Addams Family Theme Song" was whimsical, clever, and mustered audience engagement with snaps on the beat!
Tanasia Kirby, for her part, impressed the crowd with her resonant rendition of Vergin Tutto Amorby Francesco Durante. Kirby blew the crowd away with a sassy, "You Better Mind" arranged by Phillip McIntyre, as well. The song was met by a thunderous ovation. This performance was followed by "I Got Love" by Gary Feld, lyrics by Peter Udell from Purlie.
Jasmine Barnettte pulled out a soulful "Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley" by Gordon Myers. The soprano brought the crowd to its feet with the powerful opera. For her second song, Barnette performed a lovely interpretation of "One Night Only," by Bill Condon.
John Fortune II is known across campus as a multi-talented artist. He offered a soulful rendition of "Deep River" by Harry Burleigh. The countertenor reached the high notes rich with vibrato. His solo was met with thunderous applause! Fortune is a multi-talented performer. After his solo voice performance, Fortune offered the most moving jazz dance that approached themes if slavery and freedom. Fortune rounded things out with an emotional vocal arrangement of "Sit Down Servant, Sit Down," arr. Phillip McIntyre.
Cameron Bell brought the heat with a powerful hip hop dance to "Lemon," a performance Bell choreographed with Siara Fuller of the Charlotte Performing Arts Academy. The audience, which included Cameron's sister, mother and father - Dr. Craig Bell, President of the JCSU National Alumni Association - could not stop clapping. Cameron's artistic interpretation exuded creativity and confidence.
Amari Livingston offered a sonorous rendition of Mount Zion. As Dr. White shared, the performance, "was his first vocal solo on stage." Without the admission, novice nerves were undetectable. Livingston belted out the song with skill and strength.
Stephen Sullivan III, who served as JCSU student leader, soloist, and beloved campus minister for years, finished the evening with a soulful Emmanuel by Norman Hutchins.
For. Dr. White, the evening marked a pinnacle moment in her career. "Everyone in the program was phenomenal, and it was a magical night to remember forever." For the audience of faculty, family, staff, and alumni, the feeling was mutual: Bravo!