Black Mental Health Experiences | Storytelling & Music

Black Mental Health Experiences

St o r y t e l l i n g & M u s i c

Register Here

https://countway.info/bscmh

This is a hybrid event open to the public. 

Countway Library of Medicine

Seating is limited and registration is required to attend.

Refreshments will be served.

Musical Accompaniment by: Me2/Classical Music for Mental Health

PERFORMERS FOR THE EVENING

Johnny Nichols Jr., tenor

Johnny Nichols, Jr., the Conductor of the Me2/Boston Chorus, holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Performance and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting. He received his vocal, instrumental, conducting, and pedagogy training at American University, University of Louisiana Monroe, and Texas Southern University.

As an educator, Johnny has taught high school and middle school choir and theater for over eleven years and is often called to serve as a clinician to vocal ensembles and theater programs. Throughout his career, he has been named to lead honor choirs in Louisiana, Texas, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts area districts, as well as an adjudicator for MMEA, METG, MICCA and SEMBSA organizations. In addition, Johnny is the Artistic Director and conductor for the Ipswich River Community Chorus, and he conducts the Boston Children’s Chorus.

Johnny spends the remainder of his artistic time conducting operas and other large works, directing plays and musicals for adult and youth shows throughout the country, music directing projects, teaching voice lessons to youth and adults, and arranging choral music.

A native of Louisiana, Johnny has struggled with mental health issues most of his life. After receiving a diagnosis in 2018, he has fought to destigmatize mental illness and support others who suffer unnoticed.

Earl Grant, flute

Earl Grant-Lawrence is a Wind Instructor at the Community Music Center of Boston, and a member of the Me2/Boston Flute Choir. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Flute from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from the Boston Conservatory of Music. During the early 70’s at Fisk University, he was a soloist with the jazz band, Orchestrated Crowd. This band had the distinction of appearing with such jazz greats as Quincy Jones and the late Duke Ellington.

Earl is also a member of the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he plays the contrabass flute. As a member of the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, he toured France, Ireland, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, England and Scotland.