Based
in Philadelphia, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra was formed in 2007 as
a model for the 21st-century American orchestra. Founded by award-winning Artistic Director Jeri
Lynne Johnson, Black Pearl’s mission is to take the audience beyond spectatorship to
participation in the musical experience by combining artistic excellence with
cultural diversity and innovative community engagement. Described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as
“first-class on every level,” Black Pearl's musicians have been trained at leading music
conservatories around the globe including the Curtis Institute, the Juilliard
School, and the Peabody Institute among others.
Black Pearl's concert programming connects countries, cultures and
communities in exciting ways
As an acknowledgement of its groundbreaking work, the Black Pearl
Chamber Orchestra is the only organization ever to win three Knight
Foundation Arts Challenge grants.
Through creative use of technology,
groundbreaking
educational
programs
and
collaborative
partnerships
with
the city's most prominent education and cultural
institutions, Black Pearl has become a nationally-recognized leader in building audiences for classical music by enchanting newcomers and aficionados alike. Black Pearl is proof that when the arts deeply engage a community, that community will enthusiastically participate in the arts!