The Department of Music is proud to welcome Grammy award-winning artist Ledisi to the University of Arkansas for a special Masterclass with jazz and commercial music students.

A 2021 Grammy winner, Ledisi is a 12-time Grammy-nominated powerhouse vocalist with a career spanning almost two decades. Since arriving on the scene in the late 1990s, she's garnered three Soul Train Music awards, an NAACP Theater Award and six NAACP Image Award nominations. Most recently, Ledisi received two LA Alliance Ovation Award nominations, one for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. 

She has headlined two nationally sold-out tours, performed alongside Dave Matthews, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill, and Maxwell, as well as jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Patti Austin.

No stranger to the film and television world, Ledisi landed her first feature, singing in the George Clooney directed film Leatherheads. In 2015, she landed a role in the Oscar-nominated movie, Selma, portraying the great Mahalia Jackson and had a notable performance in Gabourey Sidibe's Shatterbox Anthology film, "The Tale of Four." Ledisi secured her first major television role, playing the legendary Patti LaBelle on the hit BET series American Soul.

Ledisi is extremely passionate about being an advocate for the Arts. Lobbying for young musicians and protecting the rights of creatives. She is an author, releasing her first book Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love and Power; a collaboration with Essence Magazine.  Her latest book, Don't Ever Lose Your Walk: How to Embrace Your Journey is released through her own Chinweya Publishing Company.

The Masterclass will be in Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9.The event is free and open to the public.