Carol Brice facts for kids
Carol Brice (born April 16, 1918 – died February 15, 1985) was a talented American singer with a deep, rich voice called a contralto. She was born in Sedalia, North Carolina. Carol loved music from a young age.
She studied at Palmer Memorial Institute and then at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. In 1939, she earned a special degree in music. She continued her studies at the famous Juilliard School from 1939 to 1943.
Early Career and Achievements
Carol Brice first became well-known in 1939. She performed in a show called The Hot Mikado at the 1939 New York World's Fair. There, she even worked with the famous dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.
In 1943, Carol Brice gave her first big concert. That same year, she made history. She became the first African-American person to win the Walter Naumburg Award. This was a very important award for young musicians. Her brother, Jonathan Brice, often played the piano for her concerts. For a short time in 1945, she also taught at Black Mountain College.
Famous Performances
Carol Brice was a featured singer in a recording of a piece called El Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla. This recording was made in 1946 with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
She also performed in many shows on Broadway. Broadway is a famous theater district in New York City. Some of her roles included:
- Kakou in Saratoga (1959)
- Maude in Finian's Rainbow (1960)
- Catherine Creek in The Grass Harp (1971)
- Maria in Porgy & Bess (1976)
Carol Brice also sang in operas. Operas are plays where most of the words are sung. She performed in Ouanga by Clarence Cameron White and Regina by Marc Blitzstein.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1974, Carol Brice started teaching music. She taught at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. She loved helping young singers learn.
Later, she and her husband, Thomas Carey, started their own opera company. It was called the Cimarron Circuit Opera Company. This company helped bring opera to more people in Oklahoma.
Carol Brice passed away in Norman, Oklahoma, in 1985. She left behind her husband, her brother, two children, and six grandchildren. She is remembered as a pioneering singer who opened doors for many others.
