Phyllis Jenness, Conductor Emeritus
Phyllis Jenness was the Singers' Music Director from the group's inception in 1959 through the spring of 1976. A native of Boston who graduated from Bridgewater State Teacher's College, Ms. Jenness studied voice in New York under Grace Leslie. In 1954 she moved to Lexington where she obtained her Masters in Music at the University of Kentucky, remaining on the faculty to teach voice, conducting, and choral literature. She also began UK's opera program shortly after joining the faculty, and later was founding director of the Opera of Central Kentucky. She was a vocal consultant at the Singing City workshops in Philadelphia for several years, working under noted choral conductor Elaine Brown. In 1960 she studied music in Vienna on a Fullbright Fellowship.
Following her resignation as Lexington Singers' Music Director in 1976, Ms. Jenness remained on the faculty in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Kentucky, achieving the rank of Professor. She continued to conduct private lessons and give voice performances, including demanding annual recitals of music by Bach, Beethoven, and Handel. In 1993 she retired from her full time teaching position at the University, though she continues to hold the rank of Professor Emeritus. Today she maintains a busy personal and professional life. In addition to individual voice tutoring she is very active in charitable efforts involving educational programs in Russia. She remains physically active and very much involved in Lexington's music scene.