Ms. Temperance Jones, a new teacher to Prep this year, is the director of Jackson Prep’s Patriot Singers. Jones originally came from a very music-oriented family in her hometown of Birmingham; her mother was a music major at Spelman College in Atlanta, and she also taught the arts at Sardis Christian School and Master’s Academy of Fine Arts.

Ms. Jones’ mother raised her and her sisters to sing throughout their childhood, and she also pushed them to participate in a multitude of musical activities. As she got older, Ms. Jones decided she wanted to continue her musical career. She left Birmingham to attend Belhaven University and study music with emphasis in musical theater. She went on to teach children the basics of music at Covenant Presbyterian Church Preschool and Discovery Christian School, both in the same year.

Jones says that one of her favorite things about Prep is how it is a family-oriented, deeply-rooted community. Currently, an important event in the near future for her is the Voices of Mississippi Competition that is sponsored by the Mississippi Opera in September, which she has been working on her audition for.

Among the things Jones enjoys are traveling and watching the movie Garden State, starring Zach Braff and Natalie Portman. She really enjoys listening to music, and Jazmine Sullivan is currently one of her favorite artists. Jones is very excited about this upcoming year at Prep, and she cannot wait for the Patriot Singers to start their season in the spring.  She is also excited to be helping out with the school’s new musical, Footloose, which will debut October 21 and 23.