The High Priestess of Soul- History & Appreciation of Nina Simone with Debra Khan-Bey

Debra Khan-Bey

Lifelong Learning LogoCourse Title:  The High Priestess of Soul- History & Appreciation of Nina Simone 

Instructor:  Debra Khan-Bey

Brought to you by Odyssey  

January 28, 2025 - March 04, 2025 (6 Sessions) 

Tuesday,  6:00PM ET - 8:00PM ET 

Virtual via Zoom 

 

 

Course Description: This course charts Nina Simone’s ascension from child prodigy pianist playing gospel music in church to performing in the most famous concert halls around the world. Participants will explore and examine the life and career of this extraordinary musician through discussions, reading materials, listening to and analyzing recordings. 

This course will be informative and interactive for participants to enhance their enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of Nina Simone. This course will traverse many aspects of Nina Simone's life including  motherhood, mental illness, loneliness, civil rights activism, racism, spousal abuse, and reveal her first love--music.

Join us for a Bonus Odyssey Excursion!

Enjoy a jazz filled evening with a special Odyssey outing to see critically acclaimed Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer, Ravi Coltrane, son of John & Alice Coltrane at the Blue Note Jazz in New York, NY. This acclaimed production connects Nina Simone's love of music especially jazz, her connection to New York, her lasting legacy, and her friendship with pioneer John Coltrane. Join us on Friday, March 7th at 8PM for this unforgettable musical and dinner experience! Enrolled Odyssey participants of the "The High Priestess of Soul- History & Appreciation of Nina Simone" course can enjoy this exclusive excursion for just $60 (regularly $125).

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Johns Hopkins Tuition Remission Policies 

Johns Hopkins alumni, staff, faculty and their spouse or domestic partners are eligible for tuition remission for Odyssey lifelong learning courses. Select the correct ticket pricing during registration. If we cannot confirm your eligibility, you will be requested to pay the full registration price for the course.  Eligibility details can be found here.

Withdrawals & Refunds:

If a course is canceled or closed, the registrant is notified immediately, and a full refund is processed automatically unless another course is requested. Registrants who wish to withdraw from an active course must complete the online Odyssey Refund Request Form. Attach any documentation to support your request (e.g., medical documentation, family crisis documentation, etc.).

  • 100% refund: Prior to the start of the course and after the first class.
  • No refunds: After the first week of each course unless in exceptional cases.

For single-session courses:
100% refundable within two (2) business days of the event.

Please note, refunds apply only to the tuition portion of an Odyssey participant’s charges and are not applicable to any fees or gifts made to the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association. Registrants will be notified by email if a refund is approved within five (5) business days.

ABOUT Debra Khan-Bey
Playwright, Actress and Musician

Debra has worked in the entertainment business as an actor for over 30 years. She is a musician and studied at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and The Juilliard School/Adult Extension Division. She has great relationships with top industry professionals. Debra is developing a new one-woman show she wrote and stars in, Alone with Nina Simone, with her latest staged reading at her alma mater, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

Staged reading and development with Chazz Palminteri of Ron Beverly’s two person play written for Debra, The Spitting Image (Actors Studio); Stage reading of Lyle Kessler’s play Silence in the Mountains with Bobby Cannavale (LAByrinth Theater Co.); Gabriele Di Luca’s radio play, Metropolitan Miracles; Toby Armor’s Freedom Summer (Theater For The New City) Toby Armor’s Aunt Susan and Her Tennessee Waltz (Theater For The New City); two solo plays in a reading series, Reflections on the Voices of African American Women (Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT); Speechifyin as Stacey Abrams (Theatre West, Los Angeles, CA); David Holmberg’s White Woman, Black Boy: The Lynching of Emmett Till, directed by Tony-nominated, Austin Pendleton (Theatre Row); Chekhov’s The Seagull opposite Pendleton; Fundraiser staged reading of the Hollywood classic Valley of the Dolls, also opposite Pendleton; Jeremiah Kipp’s hit film Slapface; Ron Beverly’s Workshop Production of Paul Robeson to Live in Freedom (Actors Studio), starring 3-time Emmy Award Winner and Tony-nominated, Keith David; and produced her short film American Hunger, starring Emmy Award nominee, Ilene Kristen.

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 Event Date
Starts:
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
6:00pm EST

Ends:
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
8:00pm EST

 Contact
Odyssey
1-800-JHU-JHU1 (548-5481)
odyssey@jhu.edu

Ticket Options
$
80% discount. Alumni status will be confirmed.
$
80% discount. Employment status will be confirmed.
$
50% discount. Employment status of Spouse/Domestic Partner will be confirmed.
$
Student status will be confirmed. Students may register for (1) Odyssey course per semester.

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