Music Events
W&M Arts Quarter Music Series: Desirée Roots
Access & Features
- Open to the public
- Ticketed event
To reserve your seat please follow this ticket link:http://wm.universitytickets.com/w/
Desirée Roots has been showcasing her talent in theatre’s and concert halls throughout the Commonwealth and the region for well over 35 years. Making her stage debut at age 13 as Dorothy in The Haymarket Theatre’s production of The Wiz, Desirée has appeared in over 30 stage productions. She is revered for her powerful yet controlled, lush voice with its 3½ octave range. Her ability to sing nearly every genre including Jazz, Gospel, Opera, and popular music has made her one of the region’s most sought-after vocalists. Desirée is proud to be a Grammy nominated recording artist as she continually performs in theatrical productions as well as with orchestras, Jazz bands, and as leader of her own ensembles. She has shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning guitarists, Buddy Guy and BB King, saxophonists Gerald Albright and Boney James, was the opening act for Brian McKnight and other music greats. She has been a featured vocalist with the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Petersburg Symphony and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Desirée received the Richmond Theater Critics Circle Award, “Best Actress in a Musical” for her portrayal of Caroline in Caroline or Change and was a show-stopper in the role of Effie White in Virginia Repertory Theatre’s production of Dreamgirls. In 2017 Desirée wrote a tribute to Virginia’s Ella Fitzgerald in honor of the 100th anniversary of the legend’s birth. Ella at 100 featured Desiree in the starring role with a 3-member cast and a 14-piece orchestra. Due to popularity the production was renamed Forever Ella and still garners inquiries for performances.
When not on stage, Desirée has many years of service in the non profit sector. She currently serves as Program Director for ATLAS Partnership (Allied Theatre Legacy Artists & Supporters). Their mission is to recognize and respect, honor and protect the legacy assets of professional theatre in Central Virginia. Prior to this position, she served as Artist Director of Community at Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond VA, and Booking Manager for The Richmond Jazz Society, Inc and Venture Richmond (formerly DowntownPresents…). Desirée is also an educator who has worked as an Artist In Residence for several universities and school systems. She has been asked to host master classes for aspiring jazz, gospel and classically trained vocalist’s and is a voice instructor with the Crescendo School of Music. Of all the hats she wears, she’s most proud of being wife to Axel and mom to Kraig, Tavares and Eliana!
Sponsored by: Music Department