Junetta Jones, pictured here performing with the Goldman Band at Central Park in the summer of 1964 or 65, was a Baltimore native and accomplished opera singer. A graduate of Douglass High School and Morgan State University, in 1956 she was the first African American to win a three year competitive scholarship from the Peabody Institution. There she earned a teacher’s certificate, bachelor’s degree in music, and an artist diploma in voice. Afterwards she went to the New England Conservatory in Boston where she earned a Masters of Music.
She made her Metropolitan Opera debut on Halloween of 1963 after winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. Ms. Jones performed for the Metropolitan Opera for two seasons. During the summers of 1964 and 65 Ms. Jones also performed with the Goldman Band in Central Park. After her two seasons with the Metropolitan Opera Ms. Jones moved onto Europe where she stayed for four years where she performed in Opera Companies in Germany and Switzerland.
After finishing her European tour Ms. Jones came back to Baltimore where she worked as a voice instructor for various universities. She also was on the advisory committee for art and culture of Baltimore for 20 years.