NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University faculty member D’nissa Hester will present a performance titled “Songs of Hope, Joy & Standing Together,” on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. This is a livestream only event and will be available at capa.nsula.edu/livestream. The recital was rescheduled from last month.
Hester, an assistant professor of voice at NSU, selected songs from musical theatre where the characters sing of hope, joy & standing together.
“However, these are not just happy upbeat songs, but songs about overcoming hardships,” said Hester. “Finding hope when all is lost, seeking moments of joy in a dark time, and standing together, knowing we are not alone.”
Songs will come from “Amelie,” “Cabaret,” “Carousel,” “Funny Girl,” “Grey Gardens,” “Into the Woods,” “Myths and Hymns,” “Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” “Now. Here. This.,” “Songs for a New World” and “Waitress,” as well as a standalone song.
Hester is a native of Amarillo, Texas. She holds a bachelors and masters of music with a concentration in vocal performance and choral conducting from Northwestern State. She has continued her education by attending programs such as the Taos Opera Institute under world renowned sopranos Mary Jane Johnson and Linda Poetschke, as well as the International Performing Arts Institute, located in Kiefersfelden, Germany, under the instruction of Dr. Maryann Kyle.
In 2010, she became a member of the NSU faculty teaching voice, theory, and piano to music and theatre students. In 2012, Hester was the Louisiana representative at the regional NATSAA competition. While at NSU she regularly performs with many ensembles including the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony, NSU Jazz Orchestra, NSU Wind Symphony, NSU Percussion Ensemble, as well as multiple faculty recitals and concerts. Also, she performs around the Natchitoches area with the Red River Choral and Kisatchie Sound. She can also be seen performing with her husband as part of DAT Acoustic Act, a folk/acoustic duo.
