Burleigh Spirituals Festival Acknowledgements and Sponsors

Special Thanks to:

Burleigh Legacy Alliance:

Johnny Johnson, President

Biddy Brooks, Treasurer

Cheryl Rush Dix

Autumn Parker

Sarah Thompson

Dan Burdick

Renata “Toni” Roy, Founder, 105 Voices of History HBCU National Choir

Our guest students from of the 105 Voices of History HBCU National Choir from the following universities:

Norfolk State University

Tennessee State University

Delaware State University

Elizabeth City State University

Morgan State University

Fisk University

Central State University

Virginia Union University

Our distinguished guest artists:

Dr. Louise Toppin

Dr. Damien Sneed

Gary Mitchell, Jr.

And especially Partrick Dailey for his vision and leadership of this annual festival, and his initiative to “come home” to Erie for the 10th Anniversary.

Dr. Jean Snyder, 2026 Burleigh Honors Recipient

Mike Berlin, Documentarian

Brian Hannah, WQLN

Tennessee State University Department of Music

The Big Blue Opera Initiative

Erie County Gaming and Revenue Authority

Susannah Faulkner and Erie Arts and Culture

Dr. Natalyn Gibbs and Erie’s School District

Dr. Chris Petit, Director of Music, The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul

The Faculty and Staff of Mercyhurst University:

The faculty of the Department of Music at Mercyhurst University, especially Chris Petit and Brittany Barko-Krueger

Patrick Magill, Annette Gardner, and the Staff of Conference & Events

Andrew Ferguson and technical support staff

Jodi Staniunas-Hopper for her generous assistance with graphic design for the festival

David Raymond, Kelly Cammidge, and the staff of PR & Marketing

Jackie Dietrick and the staff of Parkhurst Dining Services

Greg Baker, Susan Reddinger, Bethany Woods, Molly Tarvin, Sr. Natalie Rossi, and employees of the Department of Mission at Mercyhurst University