NEWSLETTER
A Black History Month Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance
Direct from the Metropolitan Opera, 2014 Riverhead H.S. Grad Returns to the East End
Jamesport, NY (January 23, 2026) --- From the stage of Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera, the Jamesport Meeting House welcomes back soprano Taylor Burgess on Sunday, February 8 at 5 p.m., performing a program entitled, "Winter Moon: A Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance."
Accompanied by pianist Eunha So, “Winter Moon” is an evocative tribute to the legendary poets and writers of the 20th century Harlem Renaissance. This powerful celebration of Black History Month will take listeners on a journey through time as seen through the eyes of literary giants such as Langston Hughes, Laurence Hope and James Weldon Johnson. The concert program features beautiful impressionistic works of Harry T. Burleigh and Duke Ellington, and contemporary compositions by Ricky Ian Gordon and Pete Malinverni, immersed in the beauty of Black musical tradition, from the deep roots of Spirituals to the elegance of Art Songs and the soulful energy of Jazz.
Tickets for the February 8 concert are $20 and may be purchased in advance at www.jamesportmeetinghouse.org or at the door, as available.
Taylor Burgess: An International Talent with Local Roots
Since graduating from Riverhead High School in 2014, Ms. Burgess has earned a significant presence on the global music stage as both a classical and a jazz performer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz with a minor in Opera Studies from the Purchase College Conservatory of Music and a Performer Certificate from the Aaron Copland School of Music. Notably, Ms. Burgess made history as the first Black graduate of the Dutch National Opera Academy where she earned her Master of Music. She is currently based in Amsterdam.
Ms. Burgess’ recent career highlights include her Metropolitan Opera debut in the 2024 revival of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up In My Bones and a return to the Met for the 2025/26 season to perform in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.
On the concert and operatic stage, Ms. Burgess has performed as a soloist with the Jussen Brothers, toured with the Nederlands Kamerkoor NXT, and appeared frequently with the Dutch National Opera and Ballet in productions such as Fidelio, Lohengrin, and Die Zauberflöte. Her 2026 season features high-profile debuts, including the role of Doctor Wheeler in Michel van der Aa's film-opera Theory of Flames and a performance in Weinberg’s Die Passagierin at the National Opera and Ballet. Since relocating to the Netherlands, she has expanded her reach into popular media as a guest performer on the hit Dutch television show MAESTRO, collaborating with a diverse array of conductors and musicians.
Accompanying Ms, Burgess for the February 8 concert at the Jamesport Meeting House will be Eunha So, a pianist and composer whose work bridges classical structure, jazz improvisation, and contemporary expression. Trained in classical piano from an early age in South Korea and later educated in the United States, she has developed a cross-genre musical voice shaped by extensive performance and collaboration.
Ms. So holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase College and a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music from the University of Denver. In 2019, Eunha released her debut album Reminiscence at Birdland NYC, and her work has been recognized with honors including the Pathways to Jazz Grant and selection as one of KUVO’s “30 Under 30” musicians. She has performed at major venues and festivals including Blue Note NYC, Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Red Rocks Music Festival, and jazz venues across New York and Denver.
The Jamesport Meeting House, erected in 1731, is the oldest public structure on the East End of Long Island, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is prized f both its superb acoustics and its historical significance. The building is owned by the nonprofit Jamesport Meeting House Preservation Trust, a 501c3 charitable organization. Additional information can be found at: www.jamesportmeetinghouse.org.
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