Past Recipients
Conservatory training is the decisive factor for a successful career in music performance. It is an advantage that Mr. Warfield himself enjoyed when a scholarship allowed him access to train at the esteemed Eastman School of Music. The mission of the William Warfield Scholarship fund is to extend the advantage of formal training to the next generation of African American classical vocal performance students at high school and collegiate levels, with financial support and performance opportunities. Please consider helping us to foster the growth of these incredibly talented and dedicated students. To make a contribution and for more information, visit WilliamWarfield.org today.
2002-2003 recipient
Mezzo soprano, Christina Gill, was a Rochester native, and was a senior at the Eastman School of Music, where she studied voice with Robert McIver. She was been seen in operas, oratorios, and in recital throughout her Eastman career, Ms. Gill was very grateful to have received the William Warfield...
1999-2001 Recipient
Nicole Cabell, the 2005 Winner of the BBC Singer of the World Competion in Cardiff and Decca recording artist, is one of the most sought-after lyric sopranos of today. Her solo debut album, “Soprano”, was named “Editor’s Choice” by Gramophone and has received an incredible amount of critical acclaim and several prestigious awards: the...
1996-1999 Recipient
Gary is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, a Master of Science degree in Information Systems from DePaul University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore. He is an...
1994-1996 Recipient
Victor Simonson is a multi-talented musician with gifts spanning in areas of conducting, directing, composing, arranging, orchestration, piano and vocals in genre including, Classical, Broadway, Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Sacred, R&B and Folk. He is also a gifted Minister of Music, keyboardist and organist. A piano virtuoso, Simonson has participated on the...
1992-1994 Recipient
The American bass-baritone, Joe Damon Chappel, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice and Opera from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester (1991-1994). At Eastman, he was a William Warfield Scholar and had many solo credits with the Eastman Chorale and the Eastman Opera Theater. Joe Chappel’s...
1991-1992 Recipient
As an award winning singer, writer, composer, and educator, Adrienne Danrich is redefining what it means to be a creative performer. Adrienne is most notably recognized for winning a Midwest EMMY for her performance and narration of This Little Light of Mine: The Stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. The show,...
1985-1986 Recipient
Jonita Lattimore, a lyric soprano of immense vocal range and expressive musicality, has garnered plaudits for her vivid portrayals of roles ranging from Micaela to Jackie O as well as oratorio performances with major orchestras across the United States and abroad. John von Rhein from the Chicago Tribune calls Lattimore’s...
1986-1987
A master’s degree recipient from the Eastman School of Music, Derrick was a longtime faculty member of the Eastman Community Music School and of Nazareth College. He led the vocal curriculum of Eastman’s Music Horizons summer program for gifted teenage musicians. A frequent oratorio, opera, and concert soloist, Derrick performed throughout America and internationally,...
1984-1985 Recipient
Ms. Cancryn holds degrees in music from the Eastman School of Music as well as Indiana University School of Music. Originally from Long Island New York, highlights of her career include serving as Artist in Residence at the Banff Center for the Arts, in Banff, Canada, and performing the role...