Julia Camara | Echo
Karen Kennedy, a lyric soprano, will be performing a variety of traditional Ecuadorian music at Taylor tonight, Oct. 30.
Last semester, Al Harrison, head of the music department, took the Taylor Jazz Band to Cuenca, Ecuador, where they toured during spring break. On one occasion, the band played at Kennedy's church and asked her to sing with them. Although she didn't have much experience with jazz music, Kennedy accepted the offer and sang with the band.
After the performance, Harrison talked about the possibility of Kennedy singing in a jazz program at Taylor. Kennedy, who wanted to visit Taylor, agreed to come and sing.Born in New York City, Kennedy began her dance and voice training at age eight. She has performed with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan players, New York Light Opera, Artists for Israel and the Greenwich Choral Society in the U.S.
Though she is not originally from Ecuador, Kennedy has lived in Cuenca for many years with her Ecuadorian husband, Borin Ordonez, and their six children. They serve at the Verbo Church, where her husband is an elder.
Currently, Kennedy works as a vocal coach in a contemporary music academy. She helps connect Taylor with cultural exchange concert programs between Taylor and Verbo Ministries.
Music Department faculty members have expressed excitement for Kennedy's performances. Margaret Hammond, a piano accompanist, is carefully preparing her music. "It's just so different than anything I've played before," she said.
The program itself is new and unfamiliar because Kennedy sings in Spanish. "We may just be enjoying the beauty and the rhythm of the music," said Cathy Moore, Taylor's concert and tour coordinator.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Butz Carruth Recital Hall. The Jazz Ensemble's concert is Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m., also in the Recital Hall.
