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Origin Records recording artist, Darden Purcell, is a featured soloist with symphony orchestras, big bands, and small ensembles. She is also a band leader and vocal educator. Darden Purcell has shared the stage with artists including George Benson, Christian McBride, Maria Schneider, Walt Weiskopf, Eric Alexander, Joe Locke, Terell Stafford, Bobby Floyd, and Jeff Hamilton as well as ensembles the Airmen of Note, Navy Commodores, US Army Blues, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, American Festival Pops Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra, performing in concerts halls and clubs throughout the world including Blues Alley, Kennedy Center (backup vocals for George Benson and Sara Bareilles), Wolf Trap, Club Bonafide (NYC), Jazz B (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Aalt Stadhaus (Luxembourg). As an educator, her groups have been invited to perform at the Kansas City Jazz Summit, Virginia Music Educators Association, American Choral Director’s Association National Conference, and Jazz Education Network conferences. Dr. Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice instructor, and director of the downbeat, award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at George Mason University.