Emorja Roberson

Emorja Roberson is an Assistant Professor of Music and African American Studies at Oxford College, Emory University. A conductor, vocalist, and composer specializing in classical and gospel music, he made history as the first African-American to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Notre Dame (2022). His research focuses on Gospel, Hip-Hop, and Choral Music by Black Composers.

• Bachelor of Music, University of North Florida (2013)
• Master of Sacred Music, University of Notre Dame (2017)
• Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Notre Dame (2022)

Roberson’s work bridges African-American cultural expression through music genres, including his groundbreaking oratorio BE-SPOKEN (2022), which integrates jazz, hip-hop, and gospel to explore the Black experience. He received the 2021 Academic Freedom Award and the 2022 Sr. Jean Lenz Award for promoting diversity and inclusion.

At Oxford College, he teaches courses such as Introduction to Music, Black Artistry: A Survey of Black Cinematography, Soundtracks, and Lyrics, and Special Topics in Music History: Case Studies in Hip-Hop Lyrics, while directing the Oxford Chorale.