Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute

The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute at the University of Minnesota

2025 Performers and Artists

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More About Phillip

G. Phillip Shoultz, III is known for fostering community and inspiring action among people of all ages and abilities. He enjoys a multifaceted career as artist, educator, consultant, speaker and pastoral musician. Phillip is the associate artistic director of VocalEssence where his most visible impact is seen through his visionary leadership as founding conductor of the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age and through his engaging Take 5 with GPS daily livestream and series of instructional videos. Phillip serves Westwood Lutheran Church as Cantor for Music, Worship, and the Arts. He is the principal Host for Young People’s Concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra and frequently appears throughout the U.S. as a guest clinician, adjudicator, and consultant. Learn more about Phillip Shoultz

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More about Jornae Dance Collective

Suzette Jornae Gilreath is a Twin Cities native. Born and raised in Minnesota, she is currently a dance artist based in MN. As of May 2020, she received her B.A. in Dance and American Sign Language from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Jornae is a virtuosic, versatile, and curious mover. She began her dance training at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and TU Dance at the age of 16. She is classically trained in Classical Ballet, Contemporary Ballet, Modern and African, with experience in street style Hip-hop, and Heels. As an alumna of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Dance Program, she has been taught under the instruction of Carl Flink, Toni Pierce-Sands, Ananya Chatterjea, and Erin Thompson. Through her dance training, she has obtained a greater understanding of the relationship dance has with the world, globally and internationally. Learn more about Jornae Dance Collective

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More about VocalEssence

The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (VESOTA) is a community of Twin Cities teenagers engaged in expanding what it means to be a choir and, encouraging a wider circle of participation in the artform. Under the visionary leadership of G. Phillip Shoultz, III, the singers present music ranging from classical to hip-hop, they use creativity and collaboration to build an accepting community, equipped with the skills to lead social change in our society. Learn more about VESOTA

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More about Kamoinge Strings

The Kamoinge String ensemble is composed of students in grades 7-12, this ensemble of mostly violinists has performed on the stages of the Ordway and Orchestra Hall. Students are members of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, the Greater Twins Cities Youth Symphonies, and Artaria Chamber Music School. More about Walker West Music Academy

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More about Joe Davis

Joe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility. He is the founder and director of Finding Your Freedom Practice, teaching holistic health and wellness practices through spoken word, writing, music, theater, and dance. Joe holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts and also heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program. His work has been featured on BET, CNN, and VH1. Based in Minneapolis, he tours internationally to join schools, faith spaces, nonprofits, and businesses to practice envisioning and embodying a world of collective liberation and human flourishing. Learn more about Joe Davis