(BOWIE, MARYLAND – Friday, January 6, 2017) Female opera characters have always been strong women throughout time, portraying in their music everything from dames, gypsies, seductresses, and maidens to independent businesswomen, loyalists, countesses, and queens.  A concert presented by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA), a 501c3 non-profit arts organization dedicated to supporting Black classical musicians by “Bringing Color to the Classics!”, features eight such ladies who will manifest powerful opera divas during the performance Sopranos Slay on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 8:00 pm, at the Bowie Performing Arts Center, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland.  Ushering in the New Year, the post-holiday musical celebration will also deliver an educational element to help listeners navigate the actions of the powerful ladies, featuring an ensemble of some of the region’s most accomplished sopranos, many of whom have performed with opera companies around the world. 

The evening’s Sopranos Slay concert, which also includes Broadway, Jazz, and Negro Spirituals, in addition to the opera selections, features sopranos Alia Waheed, Ameerah Sabreen, Angeli Ferrette,  Brandie Sutton, Michele Gutrick, Pamela Simonson, Simone Paulwell, and CAAPA Youth Awardee Alum, Cherish Williams.  A young pianist, Wrayzene Lynnette Willoughby, from the Ottley Music School is featured in a pre-concert piano performance. The ladies will slay by performing a variety of solos and ensemble selections.

Attendees are asked to help extend the holidays and wear holiday sparkle (or not) to help usher in the New Year. Partners include the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and the City of Bowie.  Patrons may make the suggested donation of $20.00 to the 501c3 arts organization at Click here, PayPal, EventBrite, or mail checks to CAAPA, PO Box 44954, Fort Washington, MD 20744, which will benefit the organization, scholarship program, and “Opera for Fun Youth Outreach Program”. For information about CAAPA, volunteer, or become involved, contact the office number at 301-839-1444.