Temperance Jones

At an early age,Temperance learned the words of James Weldon Johnson’s "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Her mother, an artist and arts educator, taught her the Black National Anthem, among other songs and composers in Black culture, like Margaret Bonds and Hall Johnson. This foundation shaped Temperance as a singer, actor, educator, and cultural contributor, and continues to influence her ethos as an artist today.
Like many greats before her, Temperance's work is heavily influenced by the Black gospel tradition, and she grew up singing with her church, the Kids Christian Music Center Choir, as well as in a girl group called Souls 4 Christ. However, Temperance also fell in love with theatre at the age of thirteen, when she first saw the National Tour of The Lion King. In this production, Temperance saw, for the first time, professional actors who represented her, and dreamed of becoming like Audra McDonald and Heather Headley.
After graduating high school, Temperance received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Belhaven University, with an emphasis in Musical Theatre. Never in her wildest of dreams did she think she would have opportunities to showcase her talent as a Young Artist in settings like International Performing Arts Institute, Everblue Arts, Bright Star Touring Theatre, Opera Mississippi, RWS Entertainment , and Opera Birmingham.
After months of uncertainty about the future of Broadway, its reopening provides hope and excitement for Temperance, paralleling the hope that she draws from James Weldon Johnson's words to this day. From a mother's inspiration, to performing internationally, Temperance honors the legacies of the Black artists who came before her, and looks forward to the contributions she still has yet to make.