Sylvia Hollifield

About

Sylvia T. Hollifield, Ph.D, (b. 1951) is a native of Detroit, MI. She attended Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Cass Technical High School in the Vocational Music Curriculum. She has performed as a pianist, harpist and member of various choral ensembles and choirs. She is a graduate of Wayne State University with a B.S. and M. Ed in Vocal Music Education, a M. Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and an Educational Specialist Certificate in Educational Administration. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Her career as an educator began as a vocal music teacher in Detroit Public Schools. She has also taught in the states of Ohio and New York. As a K-12 educator, she served in various capacities as teacher, counselor, school administrator and central office administrator. Currently, she is on faculty at Michigan State University in the College of Education.

As an advocate for students and a strong belief in vocal music for students in public schools, she developed and implemented Michigan Sings Inc. in 2012. The program is designed to support students in grades 7-12, and their teachers, who are involved in vocal music programs in their schools.

She has served as a clinician, choral director, pianist and Minister of Music at churches in the Detroit area. Dr. Hollifield is a member of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) where she serves on the board as 2^nd Vice President and a member of the Detroit Musicians Association (DMA).  She is the founder and owner of Sands Opus 118, LLC, music publishing company. As a composer, she has written for solo voice and choral ensembles. Her choral music has been performed by a variety of groups across the country. She recently completed “Shades of Hues” a song cycle on the poetry of Langston Hughes for voice and piano.

Related Information

Works by Sylvia Hollifield