Jillian Patricia Pirtle (born 1983) is an American soprano, historian, nonprofit executive, and former beauty pageant winner. She won the title of Miss Black Pennsylvania USA 2011 and went on to compete in the Miss Black USA Pageant. Pirtle is the CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society in Philadelphia.
Jillian Patricia Pirtle | |
|---|---|
 Pirtle performing at DAR Constitution Hall in 2023. | |
| Born | 1983 |
| Education | University of the Arts (BFA, BA) |
| Occupation(s) | singer, nonprofit executive, historian |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Pennsylvania Royal Dynasty 2013 Miss Pennsylvania Essence 2012 Miss Black Pennsylvania USA 2011 |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Black Pennsylvania USA (Winner) Miss Black USA 2012 |
| Website | jillianpatriciapirtle.com |
Early life and education
editPirtle was born in 1983.[1] She studied vocal music performance, instrumental violin, and dramatic performance at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.[2] In 2004, she graduated from the University of the Arts, where she was a Marian Anderson Scholar and Classical Vocalist,[3] with a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater and operatic performance.[4][2] She also earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and was certified as a licensed historian in Pennsylvania.[5]
Career
editPageants
editPirtle competed in, and won, the beauty pageant Miss Black Pennsylvania USA 2011 and went on to compete in the Miss Black USA Pageant, winning two national titles.[4][2] She was officially congratulated for winning Miss Black Pennsylvania USA by the Pennsylvania General Assembly's 2011 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Resolution No.66.[2] She went on to win Miss Pennsylvania Essence 2012, Miss Pennsylvania Royal Dynasty 2013, and Miss International Supreme Queen.[6][4]
Performing arts
editShe is a soprano and has performed at various events in Philadelphia.[7][3] Pirtle has performed in operas, plays, and musicals including Porgy and Bess, La bohème, Gianni Scicci, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Mikado, Little Shop of Horrors, and Love's Labour's Lost, and Funny House of a Negro.[8]
She portrayed herself in the 2019 drama television series Voice of Majesty.
On June 26, 2023, Pirtle performed at the 132nd Continental Congress of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.[9]
Nonprofit
editPirtle is the chief executive officer of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society.[10][11] She succeeded Blanche Burton-Lyles in the role. Following over $500,000 in flood damages that resulted after a basement pipe burst at the museum in 2020, Pirtle secured donations from private donors, the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, and the Daughters of the American Revolution to assist in covering the costs.[12][13][14]
In 2023, she was featured on the podcast The Visible Voices.[15] In November 2023, she was a panelist at Equity in Action.[16]
In March 2024, Pirtle organized the Faith, Music and Community event as a collaboration between the Marian Anderson Museum and Tindley Temple United Methodist Church.[17]
In September 2024, she spoke on the panel Restoring Black Heritage Sites: Challenges and Opportunities, that the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia held at the Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia in Center City.[10]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Voice of Majesty | Herself | 4 episodes |
References
edit- ^ "Meet the Stars of Arts In Color". The Arts In Color Television Show. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ a b c d https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=R&billNbr=0066&pn=0567[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Philadelphia Organ Festival Marian Anderson Tribute". www.funtimesmagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ a b c "Biography". www.JillianPatriciaPirtle.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Jillian Patricia Pirtle". Venture Café Philadelphia. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Travis Yancey, Jillian Patricia Pirtle The American Red Cross Red Ball Gala held the Please Touch Museum Philadelphia Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Expedition Magazine | Collaborating with Two Philadelphia Landmarks". Expedition Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Jillian Patricia Pirtle". www.aiaa.org. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ McDonald-Gibson, Charlotte (March 14, 2024). "Historic US women's group provokes anger by allowing trans members". The Times. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Russ, Valerie (2024-09-11). "How can a city known for its history help to preserve Black heritage historical sites?". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Legacy Keepers | Weitzman School of Design Alumni". alumni.design.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Monroe, Howard (2024-02-19). "Marian Anderson Museum in Philadelphia aims to reopen in late spring after flood damage - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Repairs to the Marian Anderson Museum to Commence with $150,000 Donation from DAR". Daughters of the American Revolution. December 20, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society: A Journey Toward Re-Opening". stylemagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Jillian Patricia Pirtle CEO National Marian Anderson Museum". www.thevisiblevoicespodcast.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Equity in Action Visiting Scholars program launches". Penn Today. 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Explore Marian Anderson's legacy at Tindley Temple exhibit". WHYY. Retrieved 2024-10-09.