Dr. Marcus J. Rhodes, D.M.A.

Marcus Rhodes, bass-baritone soloist received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Grambling State University, the Master of Music degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Florida where his research focus was on expanding entrepreneurial skills amongst music performance majors through university partnerships and modern curriculums. He has performed various genres of music as a recitalist and with opera companies including the Houston Ebony Opera, Dallas Opera, Javacya Symphony, and Shreveport Opera Companies, and played roles such as Figaro (Le Barbier de Séville), Zuniga (Carmen), Don Alfonso (Cosí fan tutte) and others. In 2021, Dr. Rhodes was featured in the premier Opera Film “The Golem of Prague” in which he starred in the role of Rabbi. As a professor of music, Dr. Rhodes is the former conductor of the Grambling State University Choir (2001-2008) and toured extensively throughout the United States and globally including a presentation in the Republic of Trinidad, West Indies. Under his direction, the choir shared the stage with some of the gospel industry’s legendary artists such as Smokie Norful, Robert Ray, and Dorothy Norwood, and R&B soulstress, Kelly Price. He also formerly taught at Florida A&M University (2008-2012) as an assistant professor in the voice area where he taught many top student vocalists that received awards and recognition at several festivals and competitions including district and regional National Teachers of Singing Competitions and performances at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Rhodes was selected by the VOH Board in 2008 as one of the original board of National Conductors for the 105 Voices of History National Historically Black Colleges and University Choir at the Washington D.C. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2008-2012) in which he served as National and Regional director, and as a presenter and officiator at the 105 conference workshops, and worked with celebrity artists such as Kim Burrell, Shirley Caesar, and Take 6. He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Educators. Dr. Rhodes has served as a sacred music director, Hammond organ and keyboard accompanist, and worship leader at various churches from the young age of 15, holding positions as music director, minister of music, and district denominational head posts such as assistant music coordinator for the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s 11th District of Florida, and performing with sacred music artists such as Beverly Crawford, Richard Smallwood, and Earnest Pugh, just to name a few. His philanthropic pursuits have led to his founding of the Urban Culture Foundation (formerly the SOUTHSIDE ARTS COMPLEX, INC), a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization that sponsors youth artist programs after-school and during the summer and promotes local and renowned artists. Its initial facility boasted of 25K square feet of space which served over 100 kids weekly through a myriad of organizations and youth programs. Through his leadership as executive director, the organization raised over $250K dollars from leasing its venue, hosting and premiering stage play companies, and presenting concerts and employed over 50 people and contracted over 75 companies from the private sector. The nonprofit has developed into a foundation that partners with universities, private donors, corporations, governmental, and other NGOs to host arts and cultural projects and provide educational and sponsor alternative activities for underserved youth and families.