LanYe’ returns to Lakeside this Juneteenth to share groundbreaking research on the African American spiritual. She will introduce newly uncovered decoding methods that reveal how these songs functioned as sophisticated strategic tools in the resistance to and dismantling of chattel slavery. This presentation goes beyond traditional musical history, offering a rare look at the intelligence and strategy embedded within the genre — insights that remain largely unknown to the general public.
LanYe’ is a leading voice in the study and performance of spirituals. Over the past 76 years, she has given approximately 3,000 performances across the United States, Canada and Austria as a trained lyric mezzo-soprano, self-accompanying concert pianist, violinist, organist, orchestral conductor, choir director, composer and lecture-recitalist. She has led music departments and served as a full-time university and college music faculty member at several institutions across the country. LanYe’ holds two doctorates reflecting her extensive research on spirituals.
