Name: Lawrence Brownlee
Profession: Professional Opera Singer
Age: 42
I have put my passion to purpose by: Proudly being a face of diversity that has inspired other people of color to further pursue their dreams in this field.
One of the most in demand singers around the world, Lawrence Brownlee was recently nominated for “Male Singer of the Year” by the International Opera Awards. The fourth of six children, Brownlee first discovered music when he learned to play bass, drums, and piano at his family’s church in Youngstown, Ohio. With dreams of playing on the world’s biggest stages, he pursued an education at Indiana University and was awarded a Masters of Music.
Hailed by the Associated Press as one of “the world’s leading bel canto tenors, Brownlee is inspired by the quest to perfect the gift he has been given. “It is a lifelong journey and I haven’t reached the finish line,” Brownlee tells BE Modern Man. “After all the things I have been blessed to accomplish, I tell myself that my best is still ahead of me.”
Having appeared on the stages of the top opera companies around the globe, the words of his father remain close to his heart. He says, “My father has been my biggest role model and he has never accepted perceived limitations.” Taught to go further, and to dig deeper, Brownlee has captivated audiences in the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera Covent Garden, Opera National de Paris, Teatro Real Madrid, Théâtre Royale de la Monnaie, and the festivals of Salzburg and Baden Baden. “The idea that you are constantly being perfected is important to him and me. Being extraordinary requires going beyond what is expected of you. For instance today I speak several different languages and I learned them after college. Only when you go far beyond the expected is the possibility of being extraordinary a potential reality – everything depends on you!”
Having won many of the top awards in his field, and blessed to perform on the worlds greatest stages alongside colleagues of the highest caliber, Brown’s greatest achievement exist beyond the Music. “I have
been nominated for a Grammy, traveled to 38 countries, met and performed for many important people and achieved so many other accolades in my Field but the thing I am most proud of are my two children, Caleb and Zoe,” Brownlee tells BE Modern Man. “When I look at them, I see their future. I want to enrich it, protect it, nurture it, guide it and just see them succeed in life. Everything I do in life is second to them. They are by far my greatest achievement. They are my babies and they have truly taught me the meaning of love.”Read more on page 2…
Stumbling upon his field almost on accident, Brownlee’s talent was recognized by people who heard and saw someth
ing in him. Breaking free from the conventionality that is often times placed on men of color, Brownlee is grateful that the ones who “discovered” him did not place limitations on his talent which allowed him to think outside of the box. “I was told by them I could be successful in something that many people of color hadn’t done before.” He adds, “I believed them and worked hard to achieve it. I am a 42 yr. old husband and father of 2. I have two degrees. I speak four languages, I have been blessed to be successful in my field.”Many stereotypes surround Brownlee as he travels the globe and provides his audiences with a different look and feel, but he never lets the voice of naysayers outshine his bel canto tenors. “I know who I am. To make an impact worry about what you can control and don’t come down to the level of your colleagues. Make your colleagues try to come up to your level.”
There is an enigma with classical music in which some think a person can’t be “cool” and like classical music, or that it is to foreign from what they know and like. “Music is a big pot with many different flavors one can enjoy,” says Brownlee. Many examples exist of artist who’ve been influenced by the music of Beethoven or Mozart, Brahms, and others who are stars in every genre of music we listen to today. “I hope to also be a mentor and take on an active role so our younger BE Modern Man hopefuls broaden their vision. My fraternity (Kappa Alpha Psi) is heavily involved in this and I will participate when time permits.”
One look at Brownlee’s stature and color is all it takes for people in his field to form negative opinions. Honored to be recognized as a BE Modern Man, Brownlee says, “a BE Modern Man means staying connected to our heritage, but open to interact and function in instances of diversity. He is stylish, cool, down to earth and unapologetic for who he is.”
The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes Lawrence Brownlee not only for his many achievements but for opening up a pathway for others to follow. Intelligence, hard work and perseverance has elevated him to the top of the opera world.
It’s our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @blackenterprise and join the BE Modern Man conversation using #BEModernMan.