(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography)

Soprano Karen Slack will headline Music Academy of the West’s recently announced 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series.

Her new recital “African Queens,” featuring pianist Kevin Miller will kick the series off. The program, dubbed as “an evening-length vocal recital of brilliantly curated new art songs celebrating the history and legacy of seven African Queens,” includes music by such composers as Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon, Joel Thompson, Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Shawn Okpebholo, and Dave Ragland, among others.

“African Queens” premiered at the Ravinia Festival earlier this summer with Slack telling OperaWire in an interview that “I  hope these composers get more exposure and opportunities and that even more composers and librettists of color get support to create stories outside of the box!”

The showcase takes place on Oct. 5, 2024 at Hahn Hall. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.