Jennifer Jones, more commonly known as Diva Jones, who is part of the New York Metropolitan Opera Company, came to the Bakersfield College indoor theater on March 12 as a part of the Spring Breeze concert in honor of late civil rights activist Rosa Parks, along with the BC wind Ensemble.
BC music instructor Robert Martinez, who set up the event, invited Jones. According to Martinez, Jones performed in a very “gracious” manner. Also, according to Martinez, Jones had one rehearsal before with the ensemble before the actual performance.
“He has from time to time asked me to come . I am happy to be here,” said Jones, “I love the theater, I love the music, I love to sing.”
BC student and ensemble musician, Brenda Hansen played the flute at the event while her husband, Erick, watched as an audience member. According to Erick, the ensemble did a “very good job.” He also added that Martinez is “very charismatic and brings the best.”
Jones plans to write a book about her life and the struggles of being from a poor family in a coal mining town to becoming an international opera singer. According to Jones, the book should be out in September of 2007.