Vocalist/Composer/Percussionist
Dr. Timothy Berry began singing in his father’s church at age 5 where his mother was the pianist and choir director. He has played hand drums since age 12. His eclectic performance background includes: The Urban Flavor Band; Leigh Morris Chorale; Penumbra Theater; MN Opera; Contempo Dance Physical; Minnesota State University Repertory Dance Theater; Robert Robinson Music; Traveled Ground; and a series of diverse Master Classes and school presentations that emphasize African American Music and History.
Timothy has received several awards as a composer, and writer including: 7 national awards in 2023 from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for his spoken-word Play, Wounded Healers; the Live Music for Dance award from the American Composer’s Forum; the MN State Arts Board Cultural Community Partnership Grant; Essentially Choral Competition Award for emerging American composers sponsored by VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum. He has composed commissioned works for dance, choral, and church groups. In addition to being a Vocal Essence Witness Artist Dr. Berry, a former college football player, has conducted workshops for drumming, choral music, and presentations in schools and universities on issues surrounding racial trauma, Black culture, and race relations.
Dr. Berry has performed nationally as a singer, actor, and percussionist; including August Wilson’s Fences, and Black Nativity with Penumbra Theater, and La Boheme with the Minnesota Opera. He has also performed with Grammy Award winner, Larnelle Harris. He has recorded music on a variety of CDs, from Gospel to Caribbean including his Soul Drums series, which stems from West African, Caribbean and African American music traditions.
Dr. Berry has a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He holds a B.S. degree in Music Education from Mankato State University and a Master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in multicultural music from The University of Minnesota.