Valetta Brinson is a native of Memphis, TN.  She has performed throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and the Caribbean. She specializes in Classical Music, Spirituals and Contemporary music but enjoys singing Jazz, Neo-Soul, and R & B as well.  She has performed with the Nashville Opera Association, Mississippi Opera Association, Opera Memphis, Tennessee State University, Allen University, University of Miami, University of South Carolina, Georgia State, the Memphis Black Arts Alliance and other venues as a masterclass clinician and as performer in such productions as "Dreamgirls (Michelle Morris)," "A Christmas Caryl (Mrs. Morehead)," "Der Rosenkavelier (Noble Orphan)," "Madama Butterfly (Cousin)," "Gianni Schicchi (Lauretta)," "Die Zauberflöte (Spirit)," "Suor Angelica (Nun)," "The Merry Wives of Windsor (Anne)" "Zabette (Slave)" and "Falstaff (Nannetta)." In 2004, she debuted the role of the late Coretta Scott King in the opera entitled, "The Promise," by The University of Memphis faculty member/composer Dr. John Baur. The opera chronicles the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Brinson has worked on many notable, prize-winning projects, traveling with author/poet Kwame Dawes and author/composer Kevin Simmonds: Wisteria: Twilight Songs from the Swamp Country, Live Hope Love: Living and Loving with HIV in Jamaica and Voices of Haiti: A Post-Quake Odyssey in Verse. These projects have been performed in Haiti, Manchester, London, Washington, D.C., Miami, Columbia and Charleston, SC at such places as the National  Black Theater Festival, SouthBank Centre, The University of Miami, Allen University, The College of Charleston and BBC London. 

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She has been the musical/vocal director for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Honk! The Musical"  and the Black Chorus Cabaret (Memphis Black Arts Alliance). In addition, she has also directed vocally: "My Christmas Caryl", "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," and "Closer than Ever" with Southwest Tennessee Community College. Brinson recently performed at the National Civil Rights Museum (Feb. 2019) in Memphis for a performance regarding an exhibit concerning her alma mater, Morris Brown College: "Without Regard to Race, Color and Gender." In addition, Brinson performed a recital in Florida and in her hometown in (Sept. 2019) honoring the 200th Anniversary of incorporation of Memphis, singing selections of artists from the area (W.C. Handy/Earnestine Rodgers Robinson) along with other important African-American spiritual artsong composers, namely, Dr. Sharon J. Willis and Davie Ragland.  Recently, she has performed in (September 2019) the staged play titled, The Power of Love: Surrendered as Mama Kay (Evans Productions) and the following festivals: Jimmie Lunceford Festival (2021): A Celebration of Memphis Music Heritage and Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival (2020, 2021) and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra Sunset Symphony (2021, 2022).

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Valetta is a former middle school general/vocal music and ESL teacher for the Memphis-Shelby County City School System. She received her degrees in Vocal Performance from Morris Brown College and Middle Tennessee State University (The University of Memphis-ABD). Brinson is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Graphic & Fine Arts at Southwest Tennessee Community College and adjunct professor at Morris Brown College.  She regularly performs recitals, presents masterclasses, workshops and teaches voice/piano online and produces music in her private studio, Brinson Music Group.

Valetta has placed in several competitions, namely the Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition, National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She is a member of such organizations as the NAACP, the Etude Music Club, Delta Omicron Professional Music Fraternity, Inc., Music Teachers National Association and the Tono International Arts Association. She is also a founding member of the Memphis Morris Brown College Alumni Association for which she serves as secretary.

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For more info and listening examples, see YouTube.

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