Meet The Founder
Meet The Founder
Mrs. Lou Ann Pickett-Stroman
Mrs. Lou Ann Pickett-Stroman a native of Mississippi, completed her education at Mississippi Valley State University (B.A.), Miami University (M.M.), Oxford Ohio and Indiana University (Professional Studies), Bloomington, Indiana. During her undergraduate studies she was awarded an educational grant from The Howard Thurman Educational Foundation to aid in the pursuit of her musical career. With their aid, she was able to secure a vocal scholarship at the Aspen Music Festival for several summers and continue her professional studies in New York City where her singing career provided performance opportunities on the Concert and Operatic stages throughout the United States, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. She has performed with such distinguished companies as: The Metropolitan Opera (NYC); Houston Grand Opera (Texas); Connecticut Opera; Buffalo Opera; Washington Opera (DC); Syracuse Opera; National Opera; American Opera Theatre (NYC); Aspen Music Festival; Teatro Real (Madrid, Spain); Spoleto Festival (Australia) and Schweizer-Tournee Theatre, LaScala, Paris Opera House (Europe) and Japan.
Although, much of her career has been as a Performing Artist, Mrs. Pickett-Stroman has always been actively involved in education. Her teaching experiences have extended from pre-K through college level. As a music instructor, vocal technician and lecturer, she has developed, as well as implemented music and art curriculums for several schools, community youth projects and artist in residence programs. These include: First Impressions Pre-school (NYC); The Barbara Taylor School, K-8 (NYC); the Bronx Community Center, 7-12 (NYC); The Martin Luther King, Jr. S.A.V.E. Program, 7-12 (NYC); Artist-In-Residence at Mississippi Valley State University; University of Utah; University of Rhode Island (Teilesco Artist Representatives) and Florida's Arts Celebration Visiting Arist School Program.
In 1997, she joined the Artistic Staff of the Boys Choir of Harlem, Inc., teaching girls' grades 7-12. From the fall of 1999 to November 2004, she held the position of Conductor and Vocal Technician for the Preparatory and Intermediate Girls Choir of Harlem. She worked with staff administrators and instructors to provide a core music curriculum at the Choir Academy of Harlem. Her responsibilities included the audition selection process and the musical development of young singers, grades 4-6. This involved social and musical skills, discipline in concert etiquette, vocal technique, sight singing, music theory, program planning, preparation of concert repertoire and conducting. During the summer months, Mrs. Pickett-Stroman facilitated in the planning and operations of the preparatory divisions Summer Music Institute. She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of a Leadership Program for young girls in grades 4-8. A major component of the music program involved the supervision of assisting choral conductors, piano accompanists and student counselors, as well as the ability to incorporate her creative ideas in fundraising efforts for special projects.
During the year of 1991, Mrs. Pickett-Stroman founded and became president of PBF Artists Management. Successfully coordinating a production for the Teatro Real, in Madrid , Spain and other venues, she assisted Artists with career counseling advise and contract negotiations. She moved to Atlanta, GA in 2004 and continues to maintain a small, but select number of clients. Since 2006, Mrs. Pickett-Stroman has been teaching and providing music lessons to community children in Atlanta, GA. She has created a music program, that focuses on the early development and training of children beginning at the age of 3.
Contact Mrs. Lou Ann Pickett-Stroman at annstroman@pbf---arts.org
Office: 770-969-3719, Fax: 770-969-4894