Biography

Robert L. Jefferson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, a Master of Music degree from the University of Houston, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Maryland. He began playing the piano for the church at the age of nine. Dr. Jefferson was able to refine his gospel style by serving as pianist for the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, the Salt River Valley District Association Congress and the Arizona National Baptist Convention. He also promoted the gospel style of piano playing through his private piano students.

After leaving Phoenix, he served as organist for the Christian Fellowship of Musicians and Entertainers and taught class piano at the University of Houston. Jefferson has had extensive performing experience as pianist for a variety of gospel artists throughout the United States and Asia. While in Japan, he was musical director of the Yokota Inspirational Gospel Choir in Tokyo and also educator for numerous Japanese gospel choirs and musicians throughout Japan.

He is experienced as a soloist, songwriter, recording artist and jazz pianist and continues to perform and conduct workshops nationally and internationally. He has performed with major symphonic orchestras and in concert halls including Strathmore, Meyerhoff, Boston Symphony and Carnegie Hall. Jefferson also has choral works and other compositions published by Theodore Presser and Oxford University Press as well as other publishers. It is Dr. Jefferson´s desire that his books will aid in elevating the spread of gospel music education throughout the world.

Jefferson has presented workshops and clinics at Music Educators National Conferences, churches, colleges and universities. Advised and consulted CEOs and religious leaders in cross cultural communication, enculturation and outward perspectives, and marketing; to aid in increasing and broadening the ethnic, racial and age diversity of their congregations, audiences and organizations.

Performances Include:

• Southern Maryland Lyric Opera Company
• Montpelier Recital Competition Winner; Montpelier Cultural Arts Center
• Guest Conductor with the Baltimore Municipal Opera Company
• Second place winner for original composition, Maiden Songs, lite opera for the National
  Federation of Music Clubs
• Houston Grand Opera

His piano and vocal performances range from Opera to Jazz to Gospel to Musical Theater.
His repertoire includes: