ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s music department will be hosting the annual Spring Recital Series in April. This year’s Spring Recital Series features a musical “feast” in the Foote Chapel on the Ellisville campus of Jones College at 12:45 p.m. With local musicians who have performed globally, music lovers will be treated to three unique opportunities to enjoy during the short performances on April 2, 9, and 16. The annual Spring Recital Series of concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or online at https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts
On Thursday, April 2, at 12:45 p.m. in theFoote Chapel, the Series opens with, “From Longing to Light” with mezzo soprano Dr. Katrina Cox and pianist Dr. Christina Mathis. From “Longing to Light” traces a musical journey from introspection and yearning toward hope, clarity, and peace. Featuring repertoire in multiple languages, the program brings together works by composers such as Donaudy, Wolf, and Dvořák, whose music explores the inner life with nuance and emotional depth. Across styles and eras, the recital reflects on how longing, personal, cultural, and spiritual, shapes the human experience.
Laurel native, Dr. Katrina Cox recently made her directing debut at Laurel Little Theatre with the musical The Color Purple. From that musical’s success, Dr. Cox earned the Key to the City of Laurel for her accomplishment of reviving the theatre scene and diversifying its audience. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Music at William Carey University, where she teaches voice-related studies, musical theatre, and directs the longest-standing ensemble at the Winters School of Music, Carpenter’s Wood.
Her piano accompanist, Dr. Christina Mathis is a collaborative pianist and educator known for her expressive artistry, refined ensemble sensitivity, and warm, intuitive musical presence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Judson College, a Master of Arts in Music Education from Liberty University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Jones College is pleased to host flutist Dr. Danilo Mezzadri, and pianist Dr. Brian Murphy on Thursday, April 9, in the Foote Chapel at 12:45 p.m. The program, “Tradition and Transformation-American Flute Music” will feature the musical selections, Canzone by Samuel Barber and Sonata No. 2 by Samuel Zyman. Although both are modern compositions, they reflect the enduring lyricism characteristic of American concert music.
Danilo Mezzadri is an ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor at The University of Southern Mississippi. He serves as artistic director of the International Flute Workshop and the Southern Flute Festival. Featured as a soloist with more than fifty ensembles worldwide, his playing has been praised for its “glowing, golden tone,” “vivid musicality” (Fanfarre Magazine), and “enviable dexterity” (British Flute Society), with performances described as “gorgeous” (Detroit Free Press). He is Principal Flute of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and the New Carolina Sinfonia. An active chamber musician, he performs with the Plurisons Ensemble, Mocking Bird Ensemble, and Southern Highs Trio. A prizewinner in multiple international competitions, Dr. Mezzadri is also the creator of the Spider Log interleaved practice system, which has helped many young musicians achieve technical and artistic mastery.
His piano accompanist, Brian Murphy, is active as a soloist, collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and pedagogue. He has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist and presented masterclasses across the United States, Mexico, Chile, Germany, and Italy. Murphy is a faculty member at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, where he teaches applied piano, piano-related courses, music history, and collaborates with singers, instrumentalists, choral ensembles, and Carey Opera. In recognition of his teaching, Brian has been awarded numerous Top Music Teacher awards by Steinway and Sons.
Concluding the Spring Recital Series on Thursday, April 16, at 12:45 p.m. in the Foote Chapel will be the group, Seven19, for the program, “New Directions for Trombone and Guitar.” Award-winning trombonist Dr. Ben McIlwain and internationally performing guitarist, Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo, form Seven19. The mission of Seven19 is to champion music – new and old – for trombone and guitar. Genres from pop/rock/metal to classical/modern, Seven19 endeavors to expand the musical horizon of this duo combination. Acoustic and electric guitar plus acoustic and electric trombone equal a new and exciting instrumental combination that up until now has been largely ignored if not avoided.
Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo has won awards at the Tredrez-Locquemau, Gaetano Zinetti, GFA, Portland, and MTNA guitar competitions. He now enjoys numerous performances across four continents, playing in such venues as the United States’ Jordan Hall, Germany’s Berliner Dom, and Brazil’s Teatro José Maria Santos. Ciraldo has released three albums for solo guitar. He is a Professor of Music at The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music.
Dr. Ben McIlwain is currently on faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi, and holds degrees from Middle Tennessee State University, Manhattan School of Music, and The Florida State University. He is an avid supporter of modern music and has commissioned and premiered over fifty works for trombone. In 2012, Dr. McIlwain’s chamber ensemble, Tromboteam, raised $10,000 through Kickstarter.com and commissioned nine new works for trombone ensemble, which have been recorded on the group’s first album, Last Lap. Dr. McIlwain has performed recently at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, Southeast Trombone Symposium, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, and the International Horn Symposium.
More about Dr. Katrina Cox & Dr. Christina Mathis
She began her education earning a Bachelor of Music degree at William Carey University (WCU) in vocal performance. She then earned a Master of Music degree in performance from State University of New York-Binghamton (Binghamton University) with a specialization in opera, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
During her undergraduate studies at William Carey University, Dr. Cox studied with renowned instructor, Dr. Connie Roberts, and performed extensively with the sought-after ensembles, Carpenter’s Wood and the Chorale. She won the coveted Jenkins-Chastain Award, the highest honor given to a WCU student, served as president of the fraternity, Delta Omicron, and starred in the productions The Boor (Maid) and Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Mother). At the esteemed National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition, Dr. Cox won both state and regional divisions.
At the State University of New York-Binghamton, Dr. Cox received the prestigious Clark Fellowship, where she studied with renowned soprano Mary Burgess. While in New York, she performed in multiple productions with Tri-Cities Opera and sang with ensembles such as Harpur Jazz and the Big Band Jazz Ensemble. She also participated in various masterclasses given by world-class artists such as comprimario tenor Nico Castel.
She continued her post-degree vocal studies with Marchesi specialist, Mary Lou Muratori, in Binghamton, New York, and was selected to the highly coveted Opera North Program in New Hampshire. There, she performed as Frau Fluth in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, sang in a masterclass with Metropolitan Opera singer Claudia Waite, and performed in the chorus of Turandot and Falstaff. Continuing as a professional oratorio and recital singer, she established a local jazz band, “The New Standard,” which performed throughout New York’s Southern Tier.
In 2012, Dr. Cox returned to Laurel, MS, to work for the Laurel School District as an elementary music teacher and high school choral director from 2013-2018. In 2015, she was a featured artist at the Delta Omicron International Conference in Chicago, IL.
In 2019, Katrina began her doctoral studies in vocal performance at The University of Southern Mississippi, where she studied under the tutelage of soprano Dr. Kimberley Davis. She has performed with the Southern Opera and Music Theatre as the title roles Carmen and Octavian from Der Rosenkavalier in opera scenes and Dame Doleful in the English Comic Opera, Too Many Sopranos. She has been featured as a jazz vocalist for the Partners for the Arts Gala 2019-2020 and the Mississippi Opera Fundraising Gala in 2021. Katrina has been a featured artist for the Natchez Festival of Music and Festival South. She recently appeared in WCU’s production of Suor Angelica as the Principessa and was also a featured vocalist in the Miss Hospitality Mississippi Pageant 2022-2023.
Dr. Cox made her directing debut at WCU in 2022 with Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway hit, Pippin (2022). Audiences were just as eager for her direction of the thriller, Jekyll and Hyde (2023). Dr. Cox has been honored to be the featured vocalist for William Dawson expert, Dr. Mark Malone’s lecture series on the “Life and Works of William Dawson.”
Dr. Mathis has more than twenty-five years of experience partnering with vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles, Christina is recognized for her rhythmic clarity, nuanced voicing, and ability to create a grounded, confident environment for every musician she collaborates with. Her work spans classical, contemporary, and musical theatre repertoire, and she is especially valued for her insightful rehearsal approach and her gift for musical communication.
A college piano professor and the founder of a thriving music academy, Christina blends high-level artistry with purposeful pedagogy. She is deeply committed to cultivating passion and purpose at the piano – whether mentoring young musicians, guiding teachers, or supporting performers in bringing their best to the stage.
Christina’s collaborative work reflects her core belief: music is a shared story, and the pianist’s role is to listen deeply, support fully, and elevate the artistry of the entire ensemble
