In the Stacks: Mandy Brown

A chronic illness can be life-changing, but it doesn’t mean life is over. 

In “The Swan Song Can Wait,” soprano Mandy Brown will share her cancer journey through a moving performance about resilience, adaptation, and finding joy after a life-changing diagnosis. Joined by pianist Tatiana Loisha, Brown will blend poetry and music spanning a variety of styles and languages to explore the challenges of illness and the transformative power of creativity. Organized into four chapters—Life Before, Chaos of Diagnosis, Adapting, and New Perspective—the program will trace Brown’s path with honesty, humor, and hope.  

Created to challenge assumptions about life and artistry after a serious diagnosis, this intimate recital will celebrate perseverance and the many ways music can sustain us through periods of profound change. A passionate advocate for singers affected by breast cancer, Brown hopes her story will encourage others facing illness to embrace their creativity and discover a path forward.  

A Q&A with the artists will follow the performance. 

Registration

• Capacity is limited. Up to two tickets per person may be reserved prior to the program.
• Registration is confirmed by email. Please cancel your registration if your plans change so that others may register.
• Doors open at 6:00pm. Unclaimed tickets (regardless of registration) will be released to standby 10 minutes prior to the start of the program. Preregistered guests should arrive early to secure their seats.
• If the program is sold out, walk-ins will be able to join a standby list on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Most standby patrons are able to be accommodated.
• If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please email inthestacks@jhu.edu with as much advance notice as possible.

About In the Stacks

The In the Stacks Concert Series at the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries and University Museums offers an informal, dynamic way for audiences to engage with music and performance art. Throughout the year, this concert series activates Baltimore’s iconic George Peabody Library—a glorious space with five tiers of cast-iron balconies that soar up to a latticed spotlight—with art, music, dance, film, drama, and more. Join us for up-close, unforgettable experiences with musicians and performance artists who are thinking outside the box.