11 April 2025 3 minute read
When Ariana Swindell, C'2026, takes the podium in front of the Spelman College Glee Club, baton in hand, she’s doing more than keeping time — she’s preserving a legacy, leading with heart, and shaping a bold musical future.
A junior music major and Spanish minor from Lawrenceville, Georgia, Swindell is one of several student conductors in the Glee Club's 100-year history. Her presence at the helm reflects not only technical excellence but a deep, spiritual connection to the music and the sisterhood it binds together.
“Glee is important to me because I’ve been singing since I was in fourth grade,” Swindell reflected. “It’s been an outlet of creativity, but also whenever I’m stressed or feeling down, I know I can rely on the people I’m singing with to bring me joy.”
For Swindell, it’s not just music — it’s ministry. She spoke excitedly of the choir’s repertoire as a spiritual balm, noting that the Glee Club often sings about faith, hope and encouragement.
“I pride myself in my faith. I’m very rooted in the Lord and God, so being able to sing His word and share His love with the people I’m singing about is like — WOW! It’s really a full circle experience -- it’s worship and it’s a good time with my sisters,” said Swindell.
In her role as student conductor, Swindell is not only setting the tempo, but is also shaping the emotional and intellectual depth of each performance. She assists the Glee Club director and celebrated conductor Kevin P. Johnson, Ph.D., in auditioning new members, leading rehearsals, selecting repertoire, and elevating the musicality of 80 student performers. Her conducting baton is guided by both skill and sensitivity.
“Performing music is different from teaching or conducting it. It has helped me grow my musicianship, but I’m also able to appreciate the music and ask, ‘Why do I like this part?’ 'I like this part because I get to grow here and crescendo there'. Or I'll say to my sisters, 'we can do some more text painting her and make this word pop more,” Swindell says excitedly.
Her thoughtful and scholarly approach to choral music has shaped Swindell's aspirations beyond the Spelman campus. She dreams of earning a graduate degree in choral conducting while balancing a vibrant career as a recording artist, composer, and music educator.
“Conducting is a new way for me to appreciate what we’re doing and it helped direct my career path. It’s something I want to continue to do once I graduate from Spelman… I want to do all the things. I know it’s possible.”
Her belief in possibility is more than personal — it’s communal. Swindell finds joy in uplifting others, not only as a mentor to fellow choir members but also as an emerging voice in the music industry. Through her involvement with GRAMMY U and the Warner Music Group HBCU Intensive, she has been mentored by leading professionals, including Bishop Dr. Samuel McGill, and has toured the facilities of Sony Music Publishing. These experiences have refined her understanding of music publishing, artist development, and the importance of creating space for BIPOC creators behind the scenes.
Even with impressive accolades — including performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and recordings for TNT — Swindell remains deeply connected to the sisterhood of Spelman and the unity that the Glee Club fosters across campus.
“Glee has been a cornerstone of Spelman College… you hear STEM students say, ‘Hey, I’m in Glee as well!’ So you have music majors and art majors and everyone just coming together. In college, it’s really easy to be sectionalized, but Glee is a way for us to come together and share our joy and our gift,” she said.
"It's not uncommon for us to say, 'Hey girl, this test in biology really stressed me out, but I’m glad I got to make music with you and spread joy with you'.’
It’s this blend of excellence, empathy, and enterprise that makes Swindell a rising star worth watching—and a leader worth following. Whether she’s conducting 80 voices, composing original chamber works for ensembles like the Chicago Sinfonietta Woodwind Quintet, or mentoring her peers through one-on-one sessions, she is making an indelible impact.
As Spelman celebrates the Glee Club’s centennial, Swindell embodies its enduring values: musical brilliance, community and legacy. Her story — rooted in faith, sisterhood,and a fierce pursuit of excellence — is a melody still unfolding. But if her journey so far is any indication, the next movement will be even more powerful.
Keep your eye on the podium. Ariana Swindell is just getting started.