Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano, piano, flute
Emma Cowell, soprano, piano, lecturer
December 16, 2025, marks 250 years since the birth of beloved novelist Jane Austen. The Salon Series will celebrate with a salon concert recreating a Regency-era evening of home music-making. Jocelyn Claire Thomas and Emma Cowell will perform music from the Baroque and Classical eras, including music from Jane Austen’s own library of scores. December 16 also happens to be the birthday of Austen’s contemporary Ludwig van Beethoven, so his music will make a special appearance. This concert will appeal to lovers of classical music as well as lovers of literature and history. Period costume admired but not required!
Admission is free; $20 suggested donation supports The Salon Series and its artists.
Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano (left)
Emma Cowell, soprano (right)
Meet the Artists
Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano
Praised for her “staggeringly brilliant…ethereal soprano” (The Source) Jocelyn Claire Thomas has engaged audiences with her haunting sound, musical intelligence, and unusual versatility. Recent highlights include “Eliza” in Dark Sisters with Eugene Opera, “Frasquita” in Carmenwith Opera in the Park Portland, and “Monica” in The Medium with Ping & Woof Opera. Some upcoming engagements include Bernstein’s Arias & Barcarolles with Friends of Chamber Music, “Arethuze” in Actéon with Athena’s Baroque Opera, and Classical Broadway with the Northwest Piano Trio. Originally from Columbia, MO, Jocelyn holds a B.M. from the Oberlin Conservatory, and both an M.M. and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory. Currently based in Portland, OR, Jocelyn maintains a private studio in voice, piano, and flute.
IG: jocelynclairethomas
Emma Mildred Cowell, soprano
Emma Mildred Cowell is a soprano, accompanist, and music historian specializing in art song, early music, and sacred music. Ms. Cowell holds degrees in Voice Performance (B.A., Geneva College) and Music History (M.M., Youngstown State University) and serves on the Voicd faculty of Willamette University. Ms. Cowell is Co-Artistic Director of Ensemble Boulanger, a Portland-based chamber collaboration dedicated to crafting engaging lecture-recitals of music by women. She is also Minister of Music at Ascension Episcopal Parish, and a soprano with Cantores in Ecclesia. Ms. Cowell has appeared as soloist with The Bach Cantata Choir and The Oregon Chorale, and performed roles in several Gilbert & Sullivan operas with Light Opera of Portland. She has also appeared with Portland Opera in the Park, Trinity Music, and Portland Opera on Tap. Recent favorite projects include her portrayal of Enlightenment harpsichordist Sara Levy in The Musical Salon of Sara Levy, a concert and theater performance by the Bach Cantata Choir and Orchestra for which Ms. Cowell also served as musicological consultant and scriptwriter. As an accompanist, Ms. Cowell’s recent projects include collaborations with Ping & Woof Opera, OrpheusPDX, and the Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik.
IG: @emma.mildred.soprano