Sylvia Jones, DMA

Education:

BA - Music (Voice) - University of Washington
BM - Music Education (Vocal Emphasis) - University of Washington
MM - Church Music (Vocal Performance) - Baylor University
DMA - Church Music (Vocal Performance) - Baylor University

Sylvia Jones, a distinguished vocalist and music educator from the Seattle area, holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington, as well as a Master of Music and Doctorate in Musical Arts from Baylor University. Her versatility shines through her repertoire, spanning classical to gospel genres. Beyond the concert hall, Dr. Jones's research centers on Black sacred music, blending the musical traditions of her upbringing with academic insights.

As program manager for Black Worship Studies in partnership with the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor, she is dedicated to preserving, studying, and advancing the legacy of Black worship traditions. Her research draws on both the musical heritage of her upbringing and rigorous scholarship, illuminating the enduring significance of Black sacred music in worship and culture.

Notable Presentations:

Papers:

The Rhythm Within: Embodying Black Congregational Song 

• International Network for Music Theology Conference – University of St Andrews – June 2026
• Christian Congregational Music Conference – Cuddesdon, United Kingdom – August 2025

Bring the Choir Back: The Disappearance & Reappearance of Gospel Choirs in the Twenty-First Century United States 

• Conference on Contemporary Praise & Worship Music – Belmont University, Nashville, TN – June 2026
• Princeton Theological Seminary World Christianity Conference – Recife, Brazil – March 2026
• Society for Christian Scholarship in Music – Belmont University, Nashville, TN – March 2025

Posters:

How Did She Do That? An Analysis of Black Female Gospel Singers and Their Tool Kit

• Texoma NATS Regional Conference – November 2025
• Baylor University Research Symposium – May 2025
• National Opera Association & National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) – January 2025

Lecture Recitals:

Recontextualizing Lament Through the Lens of African American Spirituals

• Society for Christian Scholarship in Music – Trinity Christian College – Palos Heights, IL – February 2026

Amen: A Fusion of Classical and Gospel Singing Techniques

•  Baylor University – Waco, TX – February 2026

   

Courses Taught at Baylor:

Engaging with Music

Leadership in Music Ministry

The Musician as Educator in the Church