Louise Rogers

Louise Rogers grew up in the state of New Hampshire where her parents were music professors at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Ms. Rogers received a BM in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire with an emphasis on voice. Ms. Rogers is the cofounder of the Jazz Choir at U.N.H. While living in N.H., she was the featured vocalist for the Seacoast Big Band under the direction of Dave Seiler and received many awards in the seacoast region for Best Jazz Vocalist. She has studied with the great saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi for theory and improvisation and voice with Catherine Green and Kim Nazarian.

Since arriving in New York City in 1997, Ms. Rogers has appeared on stage with jazz greats Clark Terry, Tito Puente, Al Grey, New York Voices (including subbing for the soprano,) Jon Faddis, Lionel Hampton, Jackie and Roy, Warren Vache, Ingrid Jensen, Sarah Cion, Darmon Meader, Bill Charlap, Datevik Hovanesian, DIVA, Peter Eldridge and more.

Ms. Rogers also sings in the Cornerstone Chorale in Manhattan under the direction of Rich Stout. She is the lead singer for her own group as well a free lance vocalist. In addition, she and her husband are a bass and voice duo performing in small settings such as Starbucks and Kavehaz as well as larger settings including the Philadelphia Music Conference.

In addition to performing, Ms. Rogers is the Music Specialist at Medical Center Nursery School in Washington Heights where she is gaining recognition for the work she does with children and jazz. This Jan., 2004, Ms. Rogers was asked to present a clinic at the prestigious IAJE (International Association For Jazz Educators) Convention in NYC. She runs a Children's Choir in Washington Heights called My First Choir for children ages 6-10 and is director of The Columbus Club House Jazz Choir in the Bronx, NY, a jazz choir of over 100 children ranging in age from 7 14 in which children learn songs from the Great American Songbook (this is a Kindred Spirits Jazz Choir founded by Anne Phillips.) She and her husband perform jazz concerts for children and have been hired by the Park's Dept. for several concerts in the parks over the last few years. They also perform at children's museums in various cities and towns such as the famous Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia including their jazz week for kids. Ms. Rogers also teaches voice at the Roxbury High School in New Jersey where she is frequently brought in as a clinician to work with the jazz choirs.

Louise Rogers lives with her husband/bassist Rick Strong in Washington Heights. They have a 14 year-old boy named Alex.

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