 Denise Murchison Payton is a
native of Spring Lake, North Carolina. She was educated in the
public schools of Cumberland County (NC); N.C. State University (NC);
Fayetteville State University (NC) and is pursuing doctoral studies
in Music Education, at Boston University (MA). She has studied with
Judith Pinnix Howell (NC), Sheila Carver (TX), Leroy Roberson, Dr.
Samuel Barber, Phyllis Tektonidis (NC) and presently with Christine
Weidinger formerly of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Payton has
held teaching positions in Richmond County Public Schools, and
Cumberland County Public Schools and presently at Fayetteville State
University where she is the Director of the University Choir and
teacher of applied voice.
Payton is also the founder of The
Heritage Restoration Chorale an ecumenical group of singers from the
Fayetteville, Cumberland County area. She has performed frequently
as a soprano soloist and in such operas as Susannah, Amahl and the
Night Visitors, the world
premiere of University Concert Choir on their first European tour
(1998) at the American Church
in Paris, France, St. Jacobs,
a 12th
century church in Liege, Belgium, the National Basicilia of
Koekelberg, the fifth largest
church in the world and St. Giles Church
in the canal city of Brugge, Belgium. Denise is featured on teh CD
“What a Mighty God We Serve” recorded in Belgium.
Ms.
Payton makes her debut performance with the Fayetteville Symphony
Orchestra, December 13, 2008. April 27, 2003, Payton debuted with
the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, Canada, singing
John Rutter's Feel the Spirit.
Ms. Payton was the first soloist of the Martin Luther King Jr.
annual concert at Fayetteville State University, and just celebrated
the 10th
anniversary of this celebration as soprano soloist in January 2008.
Denise has been the
receipient of several teaching awards such as the Teacher of the
Year, Spring Lake Jr. High/Middle School 1992-93, 1996-97, and
2003-04. Educator of the Year, 1996, First Union Bank, and
Outstanding Community Award, from Rise Newspaper and the City of
Fayetteville. Ms. Payton is a regular performer with Long Leaf Opera
Company and listed in Outstanding Young Women of America, Who's Who
Among American Teachers and holds memberships in many other
organizations such as the Music Educators National Conference; North
Carolina Music Educators Association; Mu Phi Epsilon Sorority; and
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
She is often sought
after as a vocal coach and lecturer/presenter for churches and
organizations. Denise is the Minister of Music at Bethel A.M.E. Zion
Church, Payton has laso made numerous guest appearances as a guest
conductor for the elementary, middle and high schools' All-County
choruses of Franklin County Schools and Sampson County Schools.
Denise is a mother of 2 children, Jarae, 25, and Jared, 20.
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