Redlands University
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Before she wowed audiences worldwide with her impressive voice, grammy-winning opera singer Angel Blue ’05 was a music student at the University of Redlands.
“The University of Redlands really paved the way for my future; all of the things I studied there, I’m currently doing professionally,” she says. With a supportive environment that extended beyond the music department, she noted how invaluable it was to have faculty that encouraged her aspirations. “I had a very supportive group of people around me, and not just in the music department. The faculty was wonderful.”
Growing up in Apple Valley, California, Blue, whose father was a classical and gospel singer, knew she wanted to become a classically trained artist.
“Music has always been a part of my life,” she said. “I can’t recall a time when I didn’t know I wanted to sing.”
And sing she has. Since graduating from Redlands, Blue has graced stages worldwide, becoming renowned for her powerful interpretations of roles in La bohème, Don Giovanni, La Traviata, and Porgy and Bess. Her international career has taken her to the world’s leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera. In 2023, she won a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for her role in Blanchard: Fire Shut Up In My Bones. She had previously won the same award for her role in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Porgy and Bess in 2021.
This past year, Blue added yet another landmark to her repertoire by debuting the role of Leonora in Il Trovatore with the San Francisco Opera. Discussing her approach to Verdi’s music, she highlighted the unique challenge of capturing the specificity of Verdi’s compositions while still bringing her own voice to the role.
Blue received a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles. While at UCLA, she auditioned and was accepted into the Los Angeles Opera’s Young Artist Program.
“It was a totally new program, and it was a privilege to sing for it,” Blue says. Her first three jobs after graduating from the program “came from the Los Angeles Opera telling other companies about me,” she says.
By surrounding herself with other talented singers, Blue has grown as a vocalist. “When you are younger, you don’t work as hard and just get by on talent,” she says. “I was kind of like that. I’ve learned now with traveling and being in so many places, everyone is talented, and it makes more sense to really try to hone your talent.”
“In addition to her remarkable performances, Blue has been a shining example of Black excellence in a field historically underrepresented by artists of color. She emphasizes that she hopes her presence and success demonstrate that talent transcends appearance. In her words, ‘If audiences can believe that I’m dying of consumption as Mimí or Violetta and are moved by my performance, then we’ve done our job.’”
Throughout her impressive career, Blue has remained grounded and connected to her roots. She often recalls her memories of performing with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra and fondly remembers former University of Redlands President James Appleton attending one of her first performances there. “Dr. Appleton came to my debut with the Redlands Symphony, and I received a standing ovation that night,” she says. “My mom told me that the president started it, and that was such a wonderful feeling.”
From her days at the University of Redlands to her current stature as a leading soprano, Angel Blue’s journey is a testament to her talent, resilience, and the deep support network that has cheered her on every step of the way. As she looks to the future, she continues to embody the spirit of her Redlands education, committed to sharing the transformative power of music across the globe.
The Black Voice News IE Black Alumni Success Series highlights news on and for Black alumni from colleges and universities in the Inland Empire. This article is supported by the University of Redlands.