Local vocalist sings on 'Today' show
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Posted By: Cynthia Garrett on August 12, 2009 By Lia Russell The Virginian-Pilot © August 11, 2009 Standing under an umbrella in the rain, decked out in her deep coral gown, Amber Garrett said she felt calm about her imminent "Today" show interview with Anne Curry. The 2005 Maury High School grad was one of three aspiring "America's Got Talent" contestants who was pulled aside for the impromptu TV interview. Garrett, 21, a Riverview resident, had graduated from Hampton University only four days earlier with a degree in classical music performance. A soprano, she sings opera. Her mother, Cynthia Garrett, whisked her off to New York to audition for the NBC network talent competition, which was registering potential contestants near the "Today " set on May 14. During the minute-and-20-second interview, Curry learned that Garrett started singing at age 4 in her Queen Street Baptist Church choir. How did she get from gospel to classical? "Other generations have had great classical African American female vocalists, like Kathleen Battle and Leontyne Price," Garrett said. "My generation relies more on other genres, like hip-hop and R&B, because they think classical music is old. But I think it's exciting. It's passionate. I want to expose my generation to it." Garrett made her national television debut during the interview with a part from her favorite Italian aria, "Pace, Pace Mio Dio." "It was awesome," Garrett said. "I wasn't nervous at all. Anne was like, Wow. She was floored. I don't think she was expecting what she heard." Garrett made it through two auditions with "America's Got Talent" producers but ultimately was not selected as a contestant for the show. "I don't believe they were looking for real talent," said Garrett, who sings in five languages. "They picked a guy who was dancing in his pyjamas. I think they were looking for someone with a gimmick." Garrett, whose goal is to perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera House by 2016, will preview her talent at a recital at 7 p.m. Saturday in Queen Street Baptist Church in Norfolk. The event is free and open to the public. "People unfamiliar with classical music will not be lost in the program," Garrett promised. "There will be an explanation between every song. I want people to understand classical music as well as enjoy it." The young singer plans to continue her musical studies in graduate school next year, after spending some time traveling and entering vocal competitions throughout the U.S. "I know music is my destiny. I know I'm supposed to sing. I love to be onstage. I turn into someone else. "No one can tell me anything when I'm onstage." Lia Russell, 222-5829, lia.russell@pilotonline.com Amber Garrett Classical Vocal Recital When 7 p.m. Aug. 15, Saturday Where Queen Street Baptist Church, 413 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk Cost Free If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Cynthia Garrett
From Norfolk, VA Virginia Commonwealth Univ class of 1981 Member Since June 2005 |
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