“This Christmas”
“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”
Connaitre Miller, Professor conMiller@Howard.edu Jazz Voice Coordinator Dept. of Music Howard University 3026 Childers Hall 2455 6th Street NW Washington, DC 20059
Connaitre Miller
Connaitre Miller is an Associate Professor of Music and the Vocal Jazz Coordinator at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Kansas State University, with postgraduate study in Choral Conducting and Jazz Pedagogy at the University of Northern Colorado.
Throughout her career, she built a well-respected jazz program at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide. She taught music at Cypress Community College, California State University Long Beach, various levels at Kansas State University, and schools in Junction City, Kansas.
Miller founded and directed the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble Afro Blue. As a solo jazz vocalist, she has performed at numerous jazz festivals both in the U.S. and internationally. She has served on adjudication panels for the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Sarah Vaughn International, and the Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competitions. Her work as an arranger is highly regarded, with commissions from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In addition to her teaching and performance career, Miller conducts workshops and master classes on jazz singing, improvisation, and jazz choir techniques, serves as a Guest Conductor for All-State Jazz Choirs, and is an artist-in-residence at various institutions. She is a member of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Teaching and Training Institute Faculty and the IAJE resource team. She has received the Jazz Education Achievement Award from DownBeat Magazine.
Tyree Isaiah Austin, Vocalist
Born in Gary, IN, Tyree Isaiah Austin is a vocalist with versatility and knowledge in R&B, Gospel, Jazz, & Blues. At seven, he found his talent and gift for music while singing in his church youth choir. The church cultivated most of his foundation as a musician with further development in high school, learning to play the Tenor Saxophone in concert and marching band, singing in choral choirs, acting, playwriting & joining musical theatre. Some of his achievements and honors include multiple choral awards attained at the Indiana State School Music Association Competitions and prestigious honors from the International Thespian Society.
He is a recent Howard University Graduate of the Department of Music, receiving his instruction from the renowned jazz facility at the institution, including award-winning educator & arranger Connaitre Miller & jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Tyree’s collegiate performance trajectory includes performances with Afro Blue, Howard’s premiere vocal jazz ensemble, The Howard Gospel Choir, & the Howard University Concert Choir.
Tyree has had the honor as both a solo and ensemble artist to share the stage with artists such as Mariah Carey, Fantasia, Anthony Anderson, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Mavis Staples, Kenny Lattimore, Queen Latifah, Tia Fuller, Sheléa, & many more! He is a proud member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, the world’s oldest and largest national fraternal music society. He has recently become an addition to the Grammy Award-Winning dynamic folk duo Dan + Claudia Zanes & can be heard on their latest album, “Pieces Of Home.”
Kerri Bea, Afro Blue Vocalist
Kerri Bea is a talented singer, songwriter, and actress from Cleveland, Ohio. Currently studying Jazz vocals and music business at Howard University, Kerri Bea has honed her craft as a member of the acclaimed vocal ensemble Afro Blue for the past three years.
With Afro Blue, she has performed at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and the B&O Railroad Museum, among others. Kerri Bea's diverse talents continue to shape her artistic journey as she blends her love for music with her passion for performance.