“I’m Just Angela”
“I’m just Angela,” Angela Brown warmly announced at the beginning of her little conference at Baruch which was made possible because of Professor Bernstein’s keen e-mail writing skills. Mr. Brown’s modesty was an understatement; we soon came to realize when she shared her journey leading to classical opera singing at the Metropolitan Opera House, for the renowned play by Verdi, “Aida”.
“I originally wanted to sing gospel music,” classical music “wasn’t my first love… it wasn’t my middle love” Ms. Brown said. It seemed that classical singing was more drawn to her instead of the other way around. However, “When it is for you, its for you,” Ms. Brown reassured us. Classical Music was simply setout for her, and she eventually caught up with this destiny and saw her connection with the world of opera singing. Ms. Brown repeatedly accounted the events of her life as something she unconsciously had taken part in order to catch up with her “vision.” All the events in her life, ranging from studying classical music to enrolling in the Young Artists Program by the Met and finally winning Regionals in 1997, traveling to NYC and landing a spot in the set of Aida were tied to this “vision” of where she is now. Her determined attitude and warm personality undoubtedly aided in rolling her a spot as a cover for Aida in her audition at the Met.
“The Lord has everything lined up to what is going to happen,” Ms. Brown said, and thus it seemed that her vision had astutely incorporated her opportunity to play the role of Aida when the leading singer became ill. That is when Ms. Brown’s talent was exposed to the world to praise. “Finally an Aida,” New York Times exclaimed after her enthralling debut in 2004. Ms. Brown continues to expand upon her “vision,” and she welcomes whatever may be laid out for her in the future.