Internationally recognized opera singer and Boston University alumna Grace Bumbry encouraged audience members to find and wholeheartedly pursue their true calling in life on Wednesday.

Bumbry was invited to speak at the Metcalf Ballroom as part of the Friends Speaker Series presented by the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center. Attendees included BU students, fans and members of the Friends of the Library.

Master of Ceremonies and radio personality Ron Della Chiesa introduced Bumbry.

‘It was an experience I’ll never forget,’ he said in reference to the first time he heard Bumbry’s voice.

The question and answer style event began with a reflection on Bumbry’s childhood and beginnings as a singer.

‘Marian Anderson was my role model,’ she said. ‘I saw her for the first time when I was ten.’

Following in her idol’s footsteps, Bumbry began singing around her family in St. Louis and in church youth choirs. Because she grew up in a time of extreme segregation and prejudice against blacks, she said she struggled to find opportunities to sing. She eventually auditioned and received a small part on Arthur Godfrey’s television show ‘Talent Scouts.’

Upon finishing high school, she accepted a scholarship offer to BU, but transferred to Northwestern University to be nearer to her voice coach.

‘It was a feeling of not being in the right place. Something was missing,’ she said. ‘It was providence. . . I knew immediately that this was what I was looking for.’

It was Northwestern where Grace found her own passion. Her new mentor Lotte Lehmann insisted that she enroll in opera classes.

‘I didn’t want to take opera,’ she said. ‘However, I finally realized that yes, opera is really a side of me that needs to be developed.’

After finishing her education, Bumbry went on to become one of the world’s most admired opera stars, debuting at the Paris Opera when she was only 23 years old, becoming the first black to achieve such an honor.

‘There was no stopping me,’ Bumbry said.

‘ She continued her career with performances in ‘Norma,’ ‘Aida,’ ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘Samson et Dalila.’

‘I had a good teacher,’ Bumbry said when asked what factors contributed to her success besides her raw talent.

However, Bumbry said hard work and perseverance were the most important factors in her success.

‘Life is not intended to be easy,’ she said. ‘Only the strong survive. My mother and father instilled in me that you have to work hard for what you want and do not let anybody deter you. Hang in there!’

The discussion ended with a standing ovation. Audience members said they were moved by Bumbry’s words.

Attendee Shirley Orkin said she was amazed by Bumbry’s strength and message.

‘The message she was trying to give was that each person has something to offer,’ she said.

HGARC Associate Director Sean Noel said the event was an overall success.

‘She gave great advice and experience, and did it in such a way students could get a lot out of it,’ he said.
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