|
Legendary Jean Holden, is an American contemporary Jazz
singer, coach and trailblazer. In the 60s jazz was at its
zenith and she traveled across the country singing at
exclusive supper clubs (hospitality clubs) in Orlando,
Pittsburgh and Hartford where big names the likes of Sarah
Vaughn, Lena Horn and Billie Holiday often performed.
When she was eight it was the beginning of her formal
training to be an opera singer. She loved all music genre’s
including country and gospel; won numerous contests and was
offered a scholarship at both The Julliard and Oberlin
College. She reached another milestone singing for several
years with The Toledo Opera Association and several theater
productions at the University of Toledo. In the 1960s Ms.
Holden was the first African American to perform in its
first theater program - ‘Three Penny Opera.’
Later in the 1970s impressive jazz gigs include the
Hospitality Motor Inn, The Park Lane Hotel, and Rusty’s.
Ms. Holden said: ‘It was an exciting place to be, as it was
frequented by celebrity guests like Marilyn Monroe and Ella
Fitzgerald.’
n
This year’s nomination application for
Jean Holden
“Back in 2002, I was the
first winner in the Arts Category and it really bothered me
that they couldn’t see that she was so deserving,” Collins
adds.
That nomination several
years ago was in vain. Holden was not honored then and
Collins’ frustration was compounded.
“It really bothered me,
she has a done so much that people don’t recognize,” she
says.
So in the fall of 2018,
Collins took a different tack. She approached two fellow
Milestones Award winners, Laneta Goings (honoree for
Volunteerism in 2015) and Rhonda Sewell (honoree for
Volunteerism in 2017) and sought their assistance in
compiling a joint nomination application.
Because she had submitted
a nomination previously with no luck, Collins “wanted more
assurance that Jean would be named” so she and her two
fellow contributors reached out, gathered information and
sought to ensure that Holden would earn the prize this time
around.
Ms. Holden has left an indelible mark on hundreds, perhaps
thousands, of kids and adults across the country. Her
influence and unique approach are remarkable through her
voice and actions by building kids’ confidence showing them
how to believe in and like themselves. They try as hard as
they can and always want Ms. Jean to be proud.
According to Ms. Holden, she always wanted to be a teacher –
that’s her passion. At Studio of Vocal Expression, her
opera training allows her to teach students how to sing with
control, helping local musicians, actresses and others
seeking vocal coaching/expression reach the pinnacle of
success.
Today, she teaches the children and grandchildren of many
former students now parents and grandparents. Many
professionals include music teachers, singers, successful
and now world-renown entertainers who have competed in
pageants, auditions, monologues, and elocution. The
effectiveness of an educator is manifested in teaching
students of all ages and abilities.
The three nominators
gathered all their knowledge and insights about the
contributions Holden has made to the community as an artist
and as a teacher. They also sought input from numerous
others – former students, parent of students, community
activists and local leaders – whose lives have been impacted
by Holden’s contributions over the years.
And it worked
Holden says: ‘I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work
with so many people throughout the years. It’s sharing the
gift that I have with people and watching them grow from
it.’ Her selflessness and unwavering joy in infectious and
come from remarkable people, from all walks of life, she’s
interacted with over the years.
Countless agree that in larger cities, Holden’s unique and
specialized training would not be affordable. However, she
firmly believes that: as songstress Whitney Houston sang:
‘Children are our future, teach them well and let the lead
the way; show them all the beauty they possess inside and
give then a sense of pride to make it easier.’ For more
than 60 years, this has been her approach – and, it works.
The honorees were
announced at a press conference on January 8 at the YWCA. In
addition to Holden for the Arts, this year’s other award
winners are: Suzette Cowell for Business; Justice Judith
Lanzinger for Government; Robin Reese for Social Srvices;
Mary Fedderke for Science; Lexi Hayman-Staple for
Volunteerism and Lynn Fisher for Education.
Celebrating with Holden
were her three nominators, her daughter and everyone in
attendance who have enjoyed Toledo’s First Lady of Song’s
many contributions over the years.
“I’ve never seen her
happier,” says Collins of Holden’s reaction to the honor.
 |
