(INDIANAPOLIS) Continuing in its tradition of presenting outstanding examples of women leaders, the Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence will host dramatic soprano and Indianapolis native Angela Brown as the latest presenter for the Nov. 3 Hazelett Forum.
Brown, a graduate of Crispus Attacks High School and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, will discuss her rise to prominence as a featured vocalist at venues across the world after years of hard work, preparation and practice. She personifies the spirit of leadership celebrated by the Hazelett Forum, said Carol Madison, executive director of the Tobias center.
“One of the things I admire about Angela is her work ethic,” Madison said. “We often hear it said that successful people were lucky or they simply got a big break, but luck by itself isn’t enough.
“Angela worked hard for many years preparing for her career in music. When opportunity knocked, Angela was ready,” Madison added.
Brown will discuss her story following a reception beginning at 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested at www.tobiascenter.iu.edu. The program includes a question and answer period followed by a vocal performance by Brown.
Brown’s “opportunity” came in her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as she unexpectedly was called upon to fill in for the ill star of the show. Her performance produced rave reviews from national critics who praised her powerful voice, finesse and larger-than-life personality. CBS Evening News said of Brown’s performance, “The future of opera has arrived.”
Since that remarkable debut, Brown has performed with orchestras across the world. This season, she joined the Pittsburgh Symphony to sing the world premier of the song cycle, “A Woman’s Life,” written especially for her by American composer Richard Danielpour and Dr. Maya Angelou. Angela also made her debut with Hamburg Opera and Vienna State Opera this season and returned to Indianapolis for Ariadne auf Naxos with the Indianapolis Opera. She performed the Verdi Requiem with the Atlanta Symphony in spring 2010.
The Hazelett Forum honors the late Susie Hazelett, the former executive director of the Randall L. Tobias Foundation. She was instrumental in helping establish the Tobias Center, which functions from the IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis. It is hosted annually by the center, the IUPUI Office for Women and Chancellor Charles R. Bantz.
The program grows out of a desire to honor and hear from individuals who are successful leaders. The Hazelett forum presents speakers who exemplify excellence in leadership and work to support the advancement of women in leadership roles.
“We examine leadership across many different fields, comparing different kinds of leadership while at the same time confirming the universality of leadership lessons,” Madison said of the selection of Brown to be this year’s presenter.
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