Dreams of Freedom

Changing lives through the power of music.

Desirée received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in music from Virginia Union University. She studied voice with acclaimed soprano Dr. Karen Floyd-Savage for six years and performed with a variety of secular and sacred ensembles. Upon graduation she was given a scholarship to attend the 1st Annual Count Basie Orchestra Jazz Institute Workshop, conducted by renowned saxophonist/arranger/ composer Dr. Frank Foster, at Hampton University. She was also offered a Fellowship to attend the University of Michigan for graduate studies in musicology and performance.

During the summer of 1994, she performed with the Starlight Orchestra at Busch Gardens USA in Williamsburg, VA. A CD of the orchestra featuring Desirée was released in 1996 to be sold at Busch Gardens theme parks throughout the U.S. She has also been the opening act for several internationally acclaimed jazz music greats and entertainers throughout her career including, B. B. King, Kenny Garrett, Bobby Watson, Art Porter, Gerald Albright, Walter Beasley, Les McCann, Shirley Horne, Leslie Uggams and Bill Cosby. This past holiday season, she was the guest vocalist with the Roanoke Symphony in Roanoke Virginia for their annual Holiday Pops Concert. In 2004, Desiree received the Theresa Pollack Prize for Excellence in the Arts as Best Vocalist in Virginia. Most recently Desiree was the guest vocalist with the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra during their east coast tour.

Desirée continues to explore all avenues of her emerging career; singing, acting and dancing. She has been showcasing her triple-threat-talent professionally for over 33 years. She performs regularly in theatrical productions, concerts, workshops, clinics and studios, as well as operatic, R&B, gospel and jazz genres. Her father, the late James H. Roots, Jr. was a highly respected pianist/organist/vocalist who traveled throughout the U.S. in the 40's & 50's with gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe as her music director and pianist. Her father, and mother who also traveled and sang as a Rosette, have several recordings published. Desirée began singing in church at the age of four and landed her first theatrical role at the age of 13 as Dorothy in Haymarket Theatre’s “The Wiz”. Since being bitten by the Theatre bug, Desirée has held leading roles in over 35 productions. She was featured in a one-woman music presentation entitled “Songs of Bessie Smith”. This production was conceived by Desiree and focused on the music and biography of The Empress of The Blues.

Desiree’s vocal stylings have been heard on episodes of “The Cosby Show and a Different World”; as well as, local and regional television and radio commercials.