YSAYE BARNWELL on Clubhouse

Bio

YM BARNWELL, PHD, MSPH


[email protected]
202-494-5699

Ysaye M. Barnwell PhD, MSPH is a native New Yorker who has lived in Washington, DC  since 1968. Dr. Barnwell studied violin with her father for 15 years beginning at age 2 ½, and majored in music through high school. She earned the Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech Pathology (SUNY, Geneseo, 1967, 1968), the Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Pathology (University of Pittsburgh, 1975), and the Master of Science in Public Health (Howard University, 1981). Dr. Barnwell has been awarded five Honorary Doctorate Degrees, and the 2014 Humanitarian Award from the Washington Choral Arts Society. 
For over a decade, Dr. Barnwell was a professor at the College of Dentistry at Howard University, after which she administered health programs at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center and Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.  Dr. Barnwell joined Sweet Honey In The Rock® in 1979 while continuing her work in health. She retired from the ensemble after 34 years. During that period, she emerged as a commissioned composer on numerous choral, film, video, dance and theatrical projects. For the past thirty years, Dr. Barnwell has spent much of her time off-stage working as a master teacher and choral clinician in African American cultural performance. Her workshop “Building a Vocal Community®: Singing in the African American Tradition” has been conducted  on three continents, making her work in the field a significant source of inspiration for both singers and non-singers, and a model of pedagogy for educators, cultural activists and historians.
In May of 2016 President Obama nominated Dr. Barnwell for membership on the National Council on the Arts.
Dr. Barnwell has continued to lecture and conduct online workshops and (modified) Community Sings during the the Corona-virus shutdown of 2020.
Four axioms have proven significant in Barnwell’s life. To whom much is given, much is required.  As one door closes, another door opens. Everything matters. Say YES!