On Jan. 21, the Black Cultural Center and The Knoxville Opera hosted African American Voices. The series gives the public the opportunity to personally meet three of the most famous African-American males in the opera industry.

The artists sang two songs that were followed by a discussion of their journey to fame, along with a question-and-answer session. The first African American Voices program was held last semester in October.

The first artist to kick off the series was Kevin Thompson. Noah Stewart, the second featured host, highlighted the event on Saturday.

Both Stewart and Thompson are graduates of the Juilliard School in New York. The school specializes in dance, drama and music, and students have to audition before being accepted.

Michael Austin will be the last featured artist during the month of April. Austin is internationally known for his roles as Otello, along with countless other operas.  

The audiences of these events have been mostly adults.

“More young people should definitely come out to programs like this because it can only benefit them,” Frederick Wagner, a member of The Knoxville Opera choir, said. “Opera isn’t boring, it’s storytelling because you’re learning others’ culture as you listen.”

Stewart is a Harlem native who grew up with no intentions of becoming a singer. He had plans of being an engineer because his favorite subjects were math and science.

“I was a just a regular kid that went to school and played sports on the side to stay out of the streets,” Stewart said.

As a teenager, his interest in music peaked. He then decided to try out for the choir, and has been singing ever since.

Stewart looked to opera as an alternative path toward success.

“It was another option to succeed other than becoming a rapper or sports player, and I was good at it,” he said.

Stewart’s forte in opera has given him countless opportunities to succeed in what he loves. He had to miss his own graduation from Juilliard for a performance in Germany.

However, opera is not Stewart’s only specialty. He has also sung back-up vocals for pop artists such as Mariah Carey, Hootie and the Blowfish and Coolio.

Stewart has also done voice-overs for Sesame Street, along with other school television specials. Stewart even dreams to one day sing the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl.

When asked to give advice to students on success Stewart said, “What’s for you is for you. You’ll get your chance, just be ready when it comes.”

Stewart will be performing the musical drama Romeo and Juliette on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre. The final dress rehearsal, on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m., is open to all students free of charge, courtesy of Comcast sponsorship.

Upcoming events for Stewart include the release of his opera album in the spring. To keep track of Noah Stewart, follow his blog on Noahofficial.com as well as his Twitter @noahsoffical.