The Glenn Korff School of Music hosted UNL Alumna and Opera Singer Barbara Hendricks on May 7-8. Hendricks gave the undergraduate commencement address and received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree on May 9.
While at the Glenn Korff School, Hendricks gave a masterclass for six voice students and presented a Q&A with Richmond about her career as an international opera celebrity, jazz performer, film star and United Nations humanitarian.
“Having Barbara Hendricks ‘home’ in the Glenn Korff School of Music, exceeded all of our lofty expectations for this wonderful reunion,” said Glenn Korff School of Music Director John W. Richmond. “She was generous with her time, her insights and her expertise. Our students and faculty alike marveled at her ability to provide deeply meaningful coaching during her master class. Moreover, Barbara’s reflections on her life journey and the importance of being open and prepared for the opportunities life presents were nothing short of inspiration to all. I could not be more pleased and proud that UNL would choose to award her the honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. Indeed, I think the honor is really ours to have someone of such international importance with such rich ties to UNL."
Born in Arkansas, Hendricks received a bachelor of science degree from UNL at age 20. She later studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.
In 1974, she made her operatic debut at the San Francisco Opera and the Glyndebourne Festival as well as her recital debut in New York City's Town Hall. Hendricks has sung at the Paris Opera, the MET in New York, Covent Garden in London and La Scala in Milano.
Hendricks made her jazz debut at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1994 and has since performed regularly in jazz festivals throughout the world. She starred as Mimi in the 1988 film "La Boheme" and played The Angel in Peter Eotvos' opera "Angels in America" in 2004 in Paris.
After nearly 20 years of untiring service to the cause of refugees in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency, she has been named the only Honorary Ambassador for Life by the UNHCR and is given special tasks that demand her long unparalleled experience and commitment.