Lonnie Norwood, Jr.

BIOGRAPHY

 

Lonnie Norwood, Jr., a native of Chicago’s South Side, has always been driven by a deep passion for music and community —two pillars that continue to shape his life’s work. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Luther College under the mentorship of the late, world-renowned conductor Weston Noble, and later received a Master of Music in voice from Florida State University. After completing his studies, Lonnie taught K-12 music in both public and private schools throughout Leon County (Tallahassee) and Chicago. As a versatile performer and arranger, he has collaborated with numerous acclaimed artists, including Lizz Wright, Nona Hendryx, Jimmy Jam, Lisa Fischer, Nadine McKinnor, Ricky Dillard, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. In 2012, Lonnie joined Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir), where he serves as Director of Africana Studies and the Pamoja ensemble, and the Lincoln Park and Englewood Neighborhood Choirs. 

 

Lonnie is an internationally sought-after Africana music clinician with emphasis in African American sacred music, igniting a deeper understanding among educators and ensembles of its rich historical roots, unrivaled African influences, expressive vocal techniques, and the spirit of Black liberation woven throughout its expansive repertoire. His dynamic workshops—frequented by high schools, colleges, universities, and community choirs—invite communities to experience the transformative power of the music firsthand. Lonnie has brought his work to ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) branches and prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Temple University, The University of Ghana, The University of Toronto, and Indiana University.

 

As both clinician and singer, Lonnie regularly collaborates with the international choral organization Village Harmony, including two vibrant tours to South Africa. His passion for Africana music educational advocacy has sparked cross-cultural exchanges in Nassau, The Bahamas with the Bahamas National Youth Choir and local musicians, and a host of ensembles and tradition bearers in Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Jamaica, Peru, and Canada. Lonnie has contributed writings on these subjects, co-authoring a featured piece in the American Choral Directors Association’s Choral Journal (October 2018).

​

Lonnie's 2021 EP entitled ROOTED traces  the spiritual, musical, and emotional journey of Trans-Atlantic African ancestry. He was lauded by the Chicago Reader as Best Music Teacher in Chicago for 2023.​ In 2025-26, Lonnie was resident choir director for the renowned Leo High School Choir on Chicago's South Side, who placed fourth on America’s Got Talent, and sang for President Barack Obama. He is also the winner of The Spirituals Project 2026 Composition Commission Award.