Janet A. Montgomery , formerly known as Janet Harkness grew up in the Atlanta area and began her musical training in piano at a very early age, she honed in on her craft in high School by participating in Jazz band, and many classical piano competitions like the Omega Psi Phi Talent hunt, N.A.A.C.P Act-So competition, just to name a few. This was the beginning of her musical transformation as we know it today. Janet Montgomery went on to complete undergraduate studies in music education at Alabama State University with a concentration in piano under the private study of Dr. Joel Jones and Corine Anderson-Free. After pursuing a Bachelor’s of Music Education Degree she went on in her matriculation receiving a Masters of Leadership in Higher Education at Capella University.
Janet is an avid believer that music education is just as important as performing, her desires and love for connecting to the arts is the motive for her talents as a performer, arranger, and music educator. Janet has trained and nurtured many choral groups in the Atlanta Public Schools System, Clayton County Public School System, Dekalb County School System, and Newton County Schools in the metro Atlanta area. Janet Montgomery is currently the Choral/Music Production Instructor at Alcovy High School in Covington Georgia, and previously served as adjunct music instructor at Dekalb Technical College.
She has acquired much experience in conducting and training chorales in extensive musical repertoire from large concert works and American patriotic songs, to jazz and spirituals. Ms. Montgomery is a specialist in world music and has brought this musical study to her students. Assisting her teaching experiences she has also had the pleasure of partnering with the Sound Learning Project in collaboration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Percussion Trio, and Georgia State University. Ms. Montgomery has led mixed choruses, children choruses, and double choruses in several performances including the Inman Park International Music Festival in Atlanta Georgia, Women in the Spirit of Pensacola, Florida, Music Showcase in Orlando, Fl.and Louisville, Kentucky.
Janet’s passion for music began to permeate and then consolidated her love of music with her gift. This union led to the opportunity of being a full time performer with "The New Collegiate’s" Jazz ensemble, and Uniquely Anointed Chorale. She has also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with George Duke, Tyrone Davis, Saxophonist Ron James and vocal coached Motown recording artist "Lil Corey". Ensembles have been led under her direction in honorarium performances of Alexis Herman, Secretary of Labor under the Clinton Administration, and the First Lady of current President of Ghana, West Africa Theresa Kufor. Janet has completed a partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts Artist in Residence Elise Witt. She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, International Association of Jazz Educators and Tau Beta Sigma Music Sorority.
In Addition to Ms. Montgomery’s professional accomplishments, she has also been the theatre musician and vocal coach for musical productions such as Heart of Dixie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Have you heard about the Revival, Lion King, The Dracula Spectacula Show, and The Wiz. Janet is considered to be part of Atlanta’s mainstream local talent, accompanied by her band the “Montgomery Music Project” She has performed at many venues such as, “Chicago’s very own” restaurant, “Seasons Bistro” “Black Expo”, just to name a few
She has completed her sophomoric project “ A New Beginning” which is entirely composed of Instrumental Piano Jazz music, with undertones of inspiration. Her style as described by other musicians, has an R & B feel with funky riffs and motifs. Her music is a fusion of neo-soul, funk, and nu-jazz. She best describes her music as “familiar funk without lyric.”
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
Good Morning Janet :-) You got skilllllllllls!!! I’m glad you stopped by and shared some of your time with me. Hope you heard something from my new CD that you could enjoy!! Have a lovely day!
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