Nicholls State University

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Dr. Valerie Francis

Title: Associate Professor of Music
Department: Music
Email: valerie.francis@nicholls.edu
Office Phone: 985-493-2675
Office Location: 217 Talbot Hall

Education:

B.A. Dillard University
M.M. University of New Orleans
D.M.A. University of Oklahoma

Courses:

MUS 105 — Music Appreciation
MUS 104 — Basic Voice
MUS 109/209 — English & Italian Diction
MUS 196/386 — Gospel Choir
MUS 197 — Opera Workshop
MUS 478 — Vocal Pedagogy

PERFORMANCE COURSES:
MUS 161, 162, 171, 172, 261, 262, 271, 272, 371, 372, 400, 471, 472

Bio:

Distinguished vocal artistry combined with superior musical preparation defines the American mastery of Dr. Valerie Francis. University-educated at New Orleans and Oklahoma universities, namely, Dillard University, the University of New Orleans and the University of Oklahoma where she received her Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees, respectively. Dr. Francis also attended the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Dr. Francis has been very fortunate to study in the distinguished studios of Mr. S. Carver Davenport (Dillard), Dr. Raquel Cortina (UNO) and the late Dr. Thomas DeVore Carey (OU) University of New Orleans. In 1994, she won the District Auditions and placed first in the regional auditions of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, where she represented the Gulf Coast Region at the Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center in New York City.

Accomplishments:

Dr. Francis continues to perform locally, nationally and internationally. Leading Roles to her credit include: Aida, Bess, Serena, Magda, Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, Musetta, Madame Euterpova, Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Her most recent performances (2006-2007) include: Soprano soloist Verdi Requiem and Carmina Burana with Trinity Artists Series; opera scenes with New York Opera Studio as Marschillin (Der Rosenkavalier) at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York; Benefit Concerts with Dr. Wilfred Delphin for AIDS Relief in Zambia in Carbondale, Illinois and Sundays at Three Afternoon Recitals Series, in Memory of Alpha Brawner Floyd at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library in Memphis, Tennessee. In November 2007, Dr. Francis represented the United States as one of three judges for the International Vocal Competition, namely X Concurso Internacional Canto Lirico in Trujillo, Peru. She also conducted master classes for the contestants and received rave reviews for demonstrating her expertise in vocal technique and pedagogy. Her award-winning, brilliant voice places her among the country’s greatest performers of classical music and Negro spirituals. Dr. Francis made her debut with Dr. Delphin at the 2008 MOJA Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. As a result, she and Dr. Delphin were invited and presented a recital at the 2009 Piccolo Spoleto Festival, in Charleston, South Carolina, May 24.

Dr. Francis has served on the faculty of Gentilly Terrace UNO Charter School as the Vocal Music Instructor prior to joining the Department of Music at Nicholls.

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