The HSPVA Black Alumni Network (BAN) is hosting the Emerald City Experience on Saturday, February 25th, before the Kinder HSPVA Black History performance of The Wiz. The pre-show reception will feature a presentation by Olly Sholotan (Theatre ’15), who co-stars as Carleton in the TV series Bel-Air. Proceeds will help BAN provide scholarships and summer intensive training for Black HSPVA students.
Robert Glasper (Instrumental ’97) won the 2023 GRAMMY for Best R&B Album with Black Radio III, his eleventh studio album.
Brad Rushing (Visual ’83) is the cinematographer on two recently released films: Alarmed on Tubi and Holiday Harmony on HBO Max.
Jordan Fife Hunt (Dance ’04) is on tour as a swing in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The show plays the Hobby Center in Houston from February 22-March 12.
Denise Ward (Vocal ’12) performed in Make Them Hear Your: An Ode to Black Musicals at Studio 54 in New York.
HSPVA ON BROADWAY: Fernell Hogan (Theatre ’15) plays Martin in Kimberly Akimbo and can be heard on the recently-released cast recording. Justin Prescott (Dance ’06) performs in Funny Girl. Jarvis B. Manning, Jr. (Vocal ’05) is in the ensemble of Some Like it Hot, and Brandon Lee (Instrumental ’01) plays trumpet in the orchestra pit.
Dustin Kaufman (Instrumental ’05) and his band St. Lucia performed at Warehouse Live in Houston following the release of their album Utopia.
Matt Mullenweg (Instrumental ’02) spoke to the Houston Chronicle about what’s happening on Twitter and how Tumblr has changed since his company Automattic acquired it.
Ian Hill (Theatre ’11), a.k.a. Irene Dubois, appeared on season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Ian recently stopped by Kinder HSPVA to talk to students about his high school experience and career.
Simon Rowe (Instrumental ’80) and Matt Mullenweg (Instrumental ’02) are co-owners of Keys Jazz Bistro, a new venue for jazz artists in San Francisco. Check out their shoutout to HSPVA in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Paul Cornish (Instrumental ’14) is a finalist for the 2023 American Pianists Awards. Listen to him talk about his art and career.
Alex Stone (Theatre ’11) was named a partner at Alchemy Production Group, a general management company for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring shows as well as other live productions.
K. Todd Freeman (Theatre ’83) starred in the Off-Broadway play Downstate at Playwrights Horizons.
Jason Moran (Instrumental ’93) performed in honor of acclaimed composer Tania León at the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors.
Katherine Thomas (Theatre ’10) was elected judge of the 184th Criminal District Court. She is the youngest judge in Texas.
Jalen Baker (Instrumental ’13) performed for the Houston Jazz Collective on Encore Houston.
Joy Yvonne Jones (Theatre ’10) performs in The Ferryman at Carlsbad’s New Village Arts (NVA) through March 5. Joy is NVA’s Associate Artistic Director.
Charles Seo (Instrumental ’14) played the national anthem at a Houston Rockets game. Charles is a cellist at the Houston Symphony.
