Uniontown woman sings her way to the top
Karen Bennett-Jackson, a classical mezzo-soprano vocalist from Uniontown, continues to sing her way to the top of a competitive field. Bennett-Jackson’s latest accomplishment occurred recently when she was invited to serve as the guest soloist during the eighth annual 2003 Ronald H. Brown Leadership Awards Ceremony in Pittsburgh.
It marked the second year in a row that Bennett-Jackson was selected to perform at the event. Wearing a patriotic gown adorned with red and white stripes and white stars on a blue background, she sang the national anthem and “You’re My Praise.”
The Urban League of Pittsburgh Inc. presented the awards ceremony, which took place recently at the Westin Convention Center, 1000 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh.
“I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that I was selected to perform at the awards ceremony for the second year in a row,” Bennett-Jackson said during a recent interview. “I really didn’t expect to be chosen again. I felt honored to receive this recognition.”
Bennett-Jackson, who works as a substitute teacher during the day, said she believes that her reputation as a singer in the Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania region is helping to open doors for her.
“Once you sing at an event, people find out what you can do,” she said. “If they are impressed by what they hear, they will keep you in mind for the next event.
“I think that is what’s happening with me,” she added. “Every time I’m selected to appear at an event, I meet more people who like what they hear. Hopefully, those people will think about me when they’re planning an event.”
The Urban League normally selects singers from the Pittsburgh area for its events, according to Bennett-Jackson, a Vanderbilt native and a graduate of Connellsville Area Senior High School.
“They really like to showcase singers from the Pittsburgh area, so I felt honored when I found out that they had selected me to perform again this year,” she said.
Bennett-Jackson’s singing career spans an array of performances and awards. She has performed with the Pittsburgh Opera, Boston Opera and has won the National Federation of Music Award and the Award of Excellence.
She studied voice and theater arts at the Boston Conservatory of Music in Boston, Mass., and at West Virginia University. As a child, she studied piano under her mother, Mary Lockette-Bennett.
Bennett-Jackson, who is married to the Rev. Carl A. Jackson, performed on stage at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and conductor Marvin Hamlisch in “Search for a Star.”
She has appeared on KDKA Television, WTAE Television, Cornerstone Television and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.
She has also performed for the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital Telethon, Nemacolin Woodlands in Farmington, the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown, Linden Hall near Perryopolis and numerous church and political events, as well as a concert performance at The Carnegie.
In January, Bennett-Jackson is expected to perform at Penn State Fayette during its annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.
Bennett-Jackson said Patrice King Brown, one of the anchors for KDKA-TV’s Channel 2, served as the master of ceremony for the Ronald H. Brown Leadership Awards event.
The Community Leadership Award was presented to the Pittsburgh Media Federation. The WQED Public Broadcasting Media Award went to Christ Moore, host of “On Q” on WQED and “Black Horizons.”
Deborah L. Walker, assistant director of community standards at the University of Pittsburgh, received the Civic Leadership Award. Special recognition was given to Equitable Resources, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy.
“I felt very honored to be among a group of respected community leaders. It was a wonderful experience, and something that I will never forget,” Bennett-Jackson said.