GKSOM’S ‘Mosaic’ makes its debut this week
calendar icon19 Apr 2021
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music is thrilled to announce the formation of “Mosaic”, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Festival as part of a new DEI initiative developed as part of the GKSOM’s new commitment to creating a more representative and inclusive curriculum.
In the future, Mosaic is going to involve performance and artistry, but this semester we’re wanting to “set the tone” for the initiative by asking questions about how to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution well and with intention, according to Gregory Simon, GKSOM Assistant Professor of Composition/Jazz Studies.
To that end, two guest speakers have been invited to talk about diversity in music and their vision for changing not just schools of music, but the arts world at-large. Felicia Barber, Director of Choral Activities at Westfield State University; and Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia, dancer and artistic director of the Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia Ballet Folklorico, will give lectures in April.
Dr. Felicia Barber, Director of Choral Activities at Westfield State University, will give the inaugural Mosaic lecture at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20. Prof. Barber will be discussing racial bias in music education. The presentation will be open to the public and all members of the GKSOM and UNL communities are encouraged to join. Here is the link to the zoom: https://unl.zoom.us/j/95284047686
Barber serves as the Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Westfield State University in Westfield, MA, where she conducts the University Chorus, Chamber Chorale and teaches courses in conducting and choral methods. Dr. Barber's research interests include choral teaching strategies, repertoire selection, diversity initiatives, as well as the performance practice of African American Spirituals. Her research has led to presentations across the United States and Canada.
To learn more about Barber, visit: https://www.westfield.ma.edu/academics/music-programs/music-faculty/felicia-barber
Dr. Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia’s presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. It too will be open to the public and all members of the GKSOM and UNL communities are encouraged to join. Here is the link to the zoom: https://unl.zoom.us/j/99867168798
Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia Ph.D. is an artist, dance educator, and scholar. As a young adult, Dr. Mendoza-Garcia performed in the Laredo Ballet Folklorico, El Grupo de Danza y Arte Folklorico de la Universidad de Tejas (UT Ballet Folklorico), and Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico de Tejas. She earned a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduation from the University of Texas at Austin, she returned to Laredo, Texas. Dr. Mendoza-Garcia and six university students founded the Texas A&M International University Ballet Folklorico (TAMIU) in 1996. She served as the Director of the Texas A&M International University Ballet Folklorico from 1996 to 2007. She also directed a folkloric dance group for children in Laredo, Texas, known as the TAMIU Ballet Folklorico Juvenil from 1997 to 2007. Dr. Mendoza-Garcia is a member of the Asociacion Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos and has served on the Executive board of this organization as Membership Chair and Vice-President.
To learn more about Mendoza-Garcia, visit: https://gabrielamendozagarciafolklorico.com/artistic-director/