Mrs. McLin learned from the best. Her uncle was Thomas A. Dorsey, known as the father of gospel music.
Renowned Chicago vocal teacher Lena McLin, who trained musical stars ranging from songstress Jennifer Hudson to the late house music diva Kim English, died Tuesday at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey from heart failure. She was 95.
Mrs. McLin taught music for decades at Kenwood Academy High School until she retired in 1992. She also taught private lessons while sitting at the piano in the living room of her South Shore home.
Hudson was singing on cruise ships but trying to advance her career while taking private lessons from Mrs. McLin, said Mrs. McLin’s daughter, Beverly Jones. Her Mom watched from home as Hudson became a finalist on “American Idol” and shot to stardom.
She also taught singer Chaka Khan and Metropolitan Opera star Mark Rucker, as well as actor Mandy Patinkin when he was in the choir while attending Kenwood, according to her daughter.
