Joan Waite Sings

WONDER

Sunday, October 22 at 3 PM

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton

Tickets $20 on day of performance

Princeton, NJ – The lyrical mezzo-soprano Joan Waite, accompanied by pianist Peter Lauffer, will perform a recital of “Spirituals and Songs of Love: Mozart to Stevie Wonder" on Sunday, October 22nd at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. The concert begins at 3 PM in Channing Hall. All proceeds will benefit the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). “For all the blessings I have received”, says Ms Waite who often volunteers at TASK, “this is one way to give something back. Trenton Area Soup Kitchen makes a real difference in the everyday lives of people.”

The first half of Ms Waite’s program is devoted to African American spirituals, followed by memorable love songs by Mozart, Schumann and de Falla, the Broadway show tune masters Gershwin and Richard Rodgers, and the modern composers of soul, Sandy Linzer and Stevie Wonder. While the spirituals reflect the whole gamut of human emotions experienced during slavery, the songs of love focus on the desire for meaningful relationships.

“When I was 5 years old, I sang a solo of Jesus Loves the Little Children on radio,” recalls Ms Waite, a South Brunswick resident, who has sung in church and school choruses since childhood. “It was the radio program of the Baptist Church I attended. Ever since then, I’ve loved to perform.”

Originally from Toronto, Canada, she has combined arts and education throughout her adult career. Ms Waite taught at Sarah Lawrence College as an Associate Professor of African Arts, co-founded and directed the African American Educational Center of Northern New Jersey, and served as educational director of the African Art Museum of the SMA Fathers in Tenafly.

In her musical life, she has sung with the Collegiate Chorale founded by the late Robert Shaw, the Westminster Jubilee Singers of Rider University, and given concerts in Princeton, Trenton and Manhattan. In her exploration of cultural connections, she performs with composer and singer Zoe Zak in programs tracing musical links between the African American and Jewish traditions. With a working knowledge of several languages, Ms Waite brings an international sensitivity to her performances. Her first CD is entitled "Art Songs and Spirituals." 

Peter Lauffer, a native of the Trenton-Princeton area and graduate of the Lawrenceville School and Indiana University, has been teaching piano, performing and directing choirs for over 25 years. He has held positions at the Peddie School, The College of New Jersey, Hopewell Valley Community Chorus, Mercer County Community College and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. He regularly appears throughout the tri-state area in various jazz venues while maintaining a private piano studio and teaching at Westminster Conservatory.

Following the recital, there will be a reception with light refreshments. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door on the day of the concert at the Princeton Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill, Princeton. For directions, check the congregation website at http://www.uuprinceton.org/aboutus/directions.html

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