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Camilla Williams

Camilla Williams. Vocalist, Cultural Ambassador, Civil Rights Activist, Teacher. Early Life . Born in Danville Virginia 1941- She earned a BS degree from Virginia State College 1941-1942 – Taught third grade and music at Westmoreland Elementary School in Danville Virginia.

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Camilla Williams

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  1. Camilla Williams Vocalist, Cultural Ambassador, Civil Rights Activist, Teacher

  2. Early Life • Born in Danville Virginia • 1941- She earned a BS degree from Virginia State College • 1941-1942 – Taught third grade and music at Westmoreland Elementary School in Danville Virginia

  3. Early Vocal Career • 1942- Began studying voice with Marian Szekely-Freschi and modern foreign languages at the University of Pennsylvania (funded by Virginia State College); She worked as an usherette in a Philadelphia theatre to support herself while at the University of Pennsylvania • 1943 & 1944 – Won the Marian Anderson Award • 1944- performed on the RCA radio network; Won top honors in the Philadelphia Orchestra Youth Concert auditions & was a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra

  4. Making History • 1946- She became the first African American to receive a regular contract with a major American opera company; The NYC Opera, debuted her as the lead role in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

  5. Her Career Takes off • Through the years she sang many lead roles with the New York City Opera and critics marveled at her beautiful voice and believability • 1948- She sang the title role of Aida; the NYC opera’s first performance of this work. “critics acclaimed, “Always she sang as a musician and an artist.” • 1951- She sang the role of Bess in the first full-length recording of Porgy and Bess by Gershwin for Columbia Records • 1950- her singing career went international; she performed in Panama, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Vienna and many other countries

  6. Civil Rights Activist & United States Ambassador • 1950- She married Charles T. Beavers, a civil-rights attorney who defended the Malcolm X trial • She frequently served as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. gaining honors and awards for contributions in music • 1963- she was the soloist at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s March on Washington • She used her music to help raise money for civil rights groups and events. • Lifetime membership to the NAACP

  7. Camilla as an Educator • 1971- She retired from opera and became professor of voice at Brooklyn College and Bronx College • 1977- She became the first African American professor of voice at Indiana University • 1983- She became the first African American professor at Beijing’s Central Conservatory • She retired from teaching in 1997

  8. Her Last Years • 2009- She was awarded the President’s Medal for Excellence by Indiana University • 2011- The Life of Camilla Williams, African American Classical Singer and Opera Diva, her autobiography, was published. • January 29, 2012- Camilla Williams dies at 92 years old.

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