Interview: Audrey DuBois Harris
Audrey DuBois Harris
Interview By: Emily May
Based in Montreal, Canada, opera singer Audrey DuBois Harris has the stunning ability to perform a wide array of musical styles, including jazz, Gospel, folk, Broadway show tunes, popular standards, among others. Born and raised in Miami, Florida in a vibrant and diverse neighborhood, exposure to the sounds of merengue, kompa, salsa, reggae, mariachi, and many others informed her musical growth and journey from an early age. Her mother discovered her talent for singing at a young age and nurtured that talent, enrolling her in classical vocal lessons that helped her voice to naturally grow and flourish. Her mother was a member of an all-female acapella choir called The Agape Choir, an exciting group of women who sang negro spiritual songs in concert. The time that DuBois Harris spent as a child listening with rapt attention had a profound impact on her musical journey, as well. She attended the New World School of The Arts in Miami as a teenager and later received a full scholarship to Julliard, both of which gave her the freedom to explore her artistry and gave her the desire to grow musically and artistically.
Among her many high-profile engagements, she holds the distinction of having performed on several occasions as “The President’s Soloist,” singing the National Anthem, as well as at “Christmas at The White House,” and has performed both the American and Canadian national anthems for The U.S. Consulate General Montreal on many occasions and performed at The White House-hosted Florida Highwaymen exhibit at the Montreal Art Center. As a classically trained vocalist, she has performed internationally and also assayed a number of operatic roles. DuBois Harris has performed on some of the world’s greatest stages, including St. David’s Hall (Cardiff, Wales), Carnegie Halls’ Weill Recital Hall, The Apollo Theater, Merkin Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Avery Fischer Hall, to name a few. Her recognition as an artist of note was underscored when DuBois Harris joined the Reverend Jesse Jackson for a series of MLK50 events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights icon Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis, Tennessee. She sang an inspirational rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” for the national television broadcast of the events ceremony at the Mason Temple COGIC, where Dr. King delivered his historic “Mountaintop” speech the night before his untimely death. DuBois Harris also participated in “A Day of Remembrance” event at the National Civil Rights Museum. “To listen to Audrey is to hear the soul and science of music,” noted Jackson. “Her singing, interpretation, and presentation is what music looks and sounds like.” Jackson also invited DuBois Harris to perform at the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee service in remembrance of “Bloody Sunday” on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, where Jackson and U.S. Representative John Lewis led the march. DuBois Harris met and was selected by "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin early in her career to take part in Aretha’s 3 'Aretha Franklin Presents' concert events and, in turn, Aretha became a longtime friend and mentor to DuBois Harris.
DuBois Harris has released the 5-song EP God Bless America, that features the title track along with classic and contemporary compositions, and in 2012, she debuted as a recording artist with her release of Testimony, a soaring collection of inspirational music and hope-filled hymns. Testimony not only saw her singing and performing, but with the album she also took on the roles of producer, songwriter, and arranger. Most recently, she has released her latest album Lift Every Voice, a collection of songs that celebrates America's rich cultural heritage and history and uplifts and celebrates our diverse voices. With plans to record more music, including more mainstream music, and videos, as well as schedule more live performances, make sure to follow Audrey DuBois Harris at the links below to stay up date on all upcoming music, news, and performances!
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud | iTunes/Apple Music | YouTube | Deezer
You grew up in Miami, FL and a passion for singing and performance was stoked in you in your preteen years by your mother. In what ways, if any, do you feel that growing up in such a culturally and musically diverse city influenced you and what can you tell me about your journey into music?
Growing up in Miami most certainly played a huge impact on my musical exposure, influence, and development. I didn’t have far to travel to be exposed to different cultures and music from around the world. My neighborhood was vibrant and full of people from across the globe! I was certain to hear merengue, kompa, salsa, reggae, mariachi, and so many other styles of music coming from my neighbors’ homes on any given Saturday morning. I attended a French speaking church that further exposed me to classical music, anthems, hymns, and French gospel singing groups. I was later exposed to American gospel music when I started singing as a soloist at several African American churches throughout Florida. My mother sang in an all-female a cappella choir called The Agape Choir. They were an exciting group of women that sang negro spirituals in concert. I can recall quietly sitting in the pews during rehearsals and taking in their full sound as a little girl. This was my introduction to the negro spirituals. I also played the flute in the orchestra and jazz band. My musical journey and growth as an artist was organic due to my exposure to a wide array of culturally diverse music from such an early age.
You have said that when you started taking vocal lessons, you had hoped to sing pop songs (like Mariah Carey) but were told by your teacher that you didn't have a pop voice, but rather a classical one. What was that like for you, to adjust the hopes you had for the kinds of songs you would sing and do you have any plans to try to incorporate some pop songs at some point into a performance or an album?
When I started taking vocal lessons with my first teacher, I was a young girl at the beginning stage of my studies. As a classical voice teacher, she believed that my voice would naturally grow and flourish through classical training. My mother agreed. Although I wanted to sing pop music, I trusted both of their advice. In my opinion, it was the best direction for me. Classical vocal training gave me a solid foundation to sing classically and have the freedom to sing in various other styles as well. Yes, plans are in the works to release mainstream songs for my future albums.
You were accepted into the New World School of The Arts as a teenager and later into Juilliard. What ways did they shape you as an artist?
Attending both The New World School of The Arts in Miami, FL and The Juilliard School in NYC were amazing experiences! To be surrounded by other gifted artists daily stirred up inspiration and creativity within me. Iron sharpens iron. Both places allowed me the freedom to explore my artistry. My desire to grow musically and artistically were greatly encouraged and supported as a whole within both communities.
You have a rich and diverse repertoire that encompasses opera, jazz, classical, oratorio, sacred songs, gospel songs, and inspirational hymns. What can you tell me about developing your repertoire over the years and what influences have informed your diverse musical tastes?
Great music inspires me! I’ve always believed that my vocal study should free me to explore a wide array of musical styles and genres. I also believe in singing music that moves me. My exposure to so many different types of music and cultures as a young girl naturally broadened my views concerning my diverse musical tastes and perspectives.
You debuted as a recording artist in 2012 with your album Testimony, and in addition to singing and performing, you also took on the roles of producer, songwriter and arranger. What inspired you to transition into a recording artist and what was the transition like for you, as well as taking on the roles of producer, songwriter, and arranger?
Becoming a recording artist was a natural progression for me and my career. I truly enjoy the entire process of recording and working in the studio. I started arranging music as a kid and writing songs as a teenager. These are musical gifts that flow pretty naturally for me. However, taking on the role as an album producer was new territory for me. I took on the challenge because I had a clear idea of what I wanted “Testimony” to sound like.
You recently released your new album Lift Every Voice, a collection of songs that celebrates America's rich cultural heritage and history. What can you tell me about the inspiration behind the album and the message you hope listeners take away from it, as well as what inspired you to include a cover of Mike and The Mechanic's "The Living Years”?
The creation of “LIFT EVERY VOICE” started with my manager Eric Palmquist and I. Coming out of the height of the global pandemic and social unrest that we experienced in 2020, the importance of creating such a project became even more evident to us as we moved further into the recording phase. “LIFT EVERY VOICE” is intended to uplift and celebrate our diverse voices and rich history. Witnessing so much hurt and pain in America and across the globe, I wanted my artistic offering to the issues at hand to be that of peace, unity, and hope for the future. Each song was intentionally selected to highlight our humanity and connectedness as Americans in particular.
My manager recommended I record “The Living Years” by Mike + The Mechanics. It is an amazing song and I immediately thought it was a great idea to record it. The original version explored relationship conflicts with a father from the perspective of a son. However, I wanted to explore the same resistance and communication barriers that occur with a mother from the perspective of a daughter.
You have said that "The Living Years" is vocally and stylistically different from the rest of your album and signals a turning point in the direction of your music. In what ways does this signal a turning point for you?
“The Living Years” and the songs that will follow post- “LIFT EVERY VOICE” are considered mainstream music. Up until this point in my career, I have not publicly released music in this style. I’m currently preparing to release more mainstream music in the very near future and I’m very excited about it!
You met and were selected by "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin early in your career to take part in her 3 'Aretha Franklin Presents' concert events and she, in turn, became a longtime friend and mentor for you and offered encouragement for your new album. What can you tell me about your friendship with Aretha, having her as a mentor, and about singing at her memorial service?
I cherished every moment I spent in Aretha’s presence. As the world knows, she was truly a one-of-a-kind artist and human being. With such an iconic career of her own, I was and am still amazed at how supportive she was of my singing and career. Her encouragement meant the world to me. As our relationship developed, she asked to manage my career. I thought it would be a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime experience to move forward with her in that capacity. Sometime later, after the contract was drafted and contract negotiations started, she told me of her unfortunate illness. At that point, I was more concerned about her well-being than anything else. We prayed together often over the phone during that time. Her faith was strong and we both believed she would pull through. It was my great honor and privilege to sing at her homegoing service. I will certainly continue to honor her memory and carry her words of wisdom with me always.
Last year, you participated in Black Opera Live: Canada, an online broadcast that explored the experiences of Black artists who work in the classical arts in Canada. What can you tell me about the event?
Black Opera LIVE: Canada was an event created by Black Opera Productions, LLC and hosted by Metropolitan Opera Baritone, Kenneth Overton. The event highlighted three classical/opera sopranos who were either natives or residents of Canada. Some of the discussion’s highlights were our music careers in opera, classical music, and beyond in addition to our roles as working mothers.
You have cited Leontyne Price and Marian Anderson as influences and have said that in their time, not only were Black opera singers not represented, but they were considered less than. In what ways have you strived to be a role model and representation for the younger generation of Black opera singers?
Representation matters! It is important to see oneself represented. Leontyne Price and Marian Anderson set the bar of artistic excellence on the highest level while doing so under the extreme situations of their time. Giving back to the younger generation through masterclasses, panel discussions, fundraisers, and scholarships is of great importance to me. My hope is that my music is an inspiration to past, present, and future vocalists of any genre.
What can you tell me about 'Vital Voices: Conversations with Audrey DuBois Harris and what inspired you to have these conversations? What can you tell me about the kinds of guests you speak with?
VITAL VOICES: Conversations with Audrey DuBois Harris were created out of the need to offer inspiration during the height of the pandemic and social unrest via a LIVE interview/conversation on Facebook. I wanted to connect with artists of various genres as a host to discuss ways that they have remained inspired and hopeful during such a time of great change in our world while highlighting their music and careers. It gave the viewing audience a unique opportunity to hear these wonderful artists share personal life insight and career strategies in an intimate setting and conversation.
What's next for you?
More recordings, videos, and LIVE music!!! Stay connected through my website and social media pages for all ADH updates.