Emorja Roberson is a pianist, conductor, workshop coordinator, composer, arranger and vocalist in world of classical and gospel. In 2016, debuted “Let’s Just Praise the Lord” with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra from his project, Rejuvenate Me, with Rejuvenation Gospel Choir January 2017.
Roberson graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, where he studied with Krzysztof Biernacki. As a young artist, he held lead roles in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), The Consul, The Mikado and La Bohème with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah.
In October 2016 Robert Kry’s The Dante Project and Mass for the Oppressed by Emerson Eads. He has premiered Evelyn Simpson Curenton’s “Sweet Lil Jesus” and was featured as the soloist for J.J. Wright’s O Emmanuel with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir. In March 2016, Roberson was casted as Duke Frederick in Roger Steptoe’s world-premiere opera of the Shakespeare’s play, “As You Like It”, under the direction of John Apeitos. Throughout his experience in the MSM program, Roberson has worked with world-renowned soprano, Deborah Voight, Carla Rae Cook, and vocal coach and pianist, J.J. Penna. Just recently, Roberson recorded with Grammy Award Winner, Arturo Sandoval, for the NDCC’s Christmas CD, which will be released September 2018.
August 2017, Emorja coordinated the Weekend of Worship in DeFuniak Springs, FL for churches of diverse communities, which provided workshops on the liturgical sacred music of the church and the fundamentals of reading music, which concluded with a concert of various genres of music.
As of May 2017, Roberson was coined as the first African-American to graduate with a Master of Sacred Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Notre Dame. Currently, Roberson is a student of Dr. Mark Doerries and is the first African-American student in the Doctor of Musical Arts program to study Choral Conducting with a focus in African-American repertoire. In addition to piloting the Voices of Courage choir at Madison Primary Center, Roberson serves as the Director of Music for Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Graduate Assistant for the Notre Dame Folk Choir.
In October 2018, Emorja recorded his second live project, The Evening Musicale, which has a release date of March 2019.
January 2018, Roberson’s compositions, “I Need Your Presence” and “Lord, I Am Grateful” were debuted by the South Bend Symphony Orchestra under the batons of Dr. Marvin Curtis and Dr. Alastair Willis. Roberson was the first place winner for the 2018 American Negro Spirituals competition and performed at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH. In 2019, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will perform Roberson’s recently recorded, “God Is My Refuge” and “Trust In The Lord” at the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.
Roberson’s personal website and resources can be accessed here.
