Camilla WilliamsVocalist, Cultural Ambassador, Civil Rights Activist, Teacher

Early Life Born in Danville Virginia 1941- She earned a BS degree from Virginia State College1941-1942 – Taught third grade and music at Westmoreland Elementary School in Danville Virginia

Early Vocal Career1942- 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 Award1944- performed on the RCA radio network; Won top honors in the Philadelphia Orchestra Youth Concert auditions & was a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra

Making History1946- 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

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 Records1950- her singing career went international; she performed in Panama, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Vienna and many other countries

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 music1963- she was the soloist at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s March on WashingtonShe used her music to help raise money for civil rights groups and events. Lifetime membership to the NAACP

Camilla as an Educator1971- She retired from opera and became professor of voice at Brooklyn College and Bronx College1977- She became the first African American professor of voice at Indiana University1983- She became the first African American professor at Beijing’s Central ConservatoryShe retired from teaching in 1997

Her Last Years2009- She was awarded the President’s Medal for Excellence by Indiana University2011- 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.