Renowned for her remarkable vocal delivery, Audrey DuBois Harris has captivated audiences all over the world for nearly a decade. Following the release of her powerful single “We Shall Overcome” earlier this year, the gifted singer has returned with her stunning, highly anticipated new album ‘Lift Every Voice’.
Comprising nine tracks, “Lift Every Voice” is a striking compilation of time-honored classics that capture the heart of a resilient nation and the remarkable foundation upon which it was built. Created with encouragement from legendary icon Aretha Franklin, who inspired DuBois Harris and served as a cherished mentor to her until her death, the album dispenses a brilliant sound that will shower listeners in a brilliant, luminous light representing all voices to ensure that every voice is heard. We had the enormous pleasure to speak with Audrey about her career and album.
Hi Audrey. Congratulations on your career to date. It’s a pleasure to have you join us for an interview. For the benefit of our readers, how did you initially get into music?
Thank you so much for having me. The pleasure is mine.
Music has always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. As a little girl, I used to sing my prayers as my personal way to connect with God. I then started singing solos and arranging songs and hymns at my home church, Allapattah Baptist Church in Miami, FL. One day while I was playing alone with my dolls at home, I started singing to myself. Unbeknownst to me, my mother was listening at the doorway. Stunned at the sound of my singing voice, she found a private voice teacher who specialized in classical singing (my mother’s favorite style). This teacher recommended I audition for The New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. While a student at New World, I auditioned for The Florida Grand Opera at the recommendation of my then teacher, Birgit Fioravante. At that time, I was one of Florida Grand’s youngest singers on payroll performing in full opera productions. My first full opera experience with Florida Grand was Richard Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) performed in German. It’s very important to note that I did not sing the role of Senta, as that role would’ve been too heavy for a young opera singer to take on. I also performed with New World’s Opera Program, which was the advanced program in partnership with Miami Dade College’s Opera Degree Program. This afforded me the wonderful opportunity to sing in productions and in concerts with college-level students. During my high school years, I completely immersed myself into my music and vocal studies, language preparation, and performances of operas, recitals, and concerts— in addition to competing and winning national vocal competitions. At the beginning of my HS senior year, Birgit recommended that I audition for The Juilliard School in NYC. Although I had been granted acceptance to several universities by this time, Birgit believed that Juilliard would be the best place for me to further expand and grow as an artist. I was able to attend and graduate from Juilliard on a full scholarship. During my time at Juilliard, it was advanced and rigorous study, preparation, and performance of classical music in the heart of Lincoln Center. Several years after embarking on my professional singing career, I decided to produce my first recording, “Testimony.” Paying tribute to my Baptist roots and Christian faith, “Testimony” is a full album of beloved hymns and sacred songs. I also recorded and included my original song, “God Can Do Anything But Fail.” In 2021, my single “We Shall Overcome” was released. This single was then followed by, and included in my current album, “Lift Every Voice’.
The legendary Aretha Franklin was your friend, mentor, and a force in you producing your album, “Lift Every Voice”, which we’ll discuss further. Can you share with us your fondest memories of working with her, and how she shaped your appreciation and approach to working in the industry?
The very first time I sang for Aretha was in concert at the renowned New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. The packed church erupted in praise and shout during and after my set— even the Queen herself stood up and joined in on the electrifying praise. Afterward, while the concert was still going on, a member of her security team escorted me to a small room in the church. To my surprise, when I entered the room, Aretha was seated alone, facing the door, and holding a wad of cash in her hand. She looked me up and down while nodding in approval. After complimenting my dress and appearance, she said that I“brought the house down” and was in“resplendent voice.” The Queen of Soul was very pleased and she personally gave me her seal of approval.
Instead of “shaped,” I would say that Aretha confirmed and supported my appreciation and approach to working in the industry by maintaining confidence in her belief that I would have my very own success in the industry as a recording artist.
Among your many high-profile engagements, you have performed, on several occasions as the President’s Soloist, singing the national anthem, as well as at “Christmas at The White House.” Please share with us your experience of these occasions and how you prepare?
Performing for such high-profile events is both a blessing and an honor for me. Singing monumental songs like the national anthem and other patriotic songs in such a monumental place as The White House before powerful people bring me great joy and national pride. It is a privilege to be included amongst a great line of American artists who have come before me and have done the same in their illustrious careers.
My preparation is always the same no matter the audience or the venue. I am a firm believer that preparation behind the scenes gives you the freedom to explore and take certain liberties on stage. Of course, The Secret Service provides added levels of energy and excitement to the occasion.
In 2018, you joined the Reverend Jesse Jackson for a series of MLK50 events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis, Tennessee.
These events must rank highly amongst your most memorable performances. Please share with us how this opportunity came about?
Taking part and singing for a series of MLK50 events certainly rank highly amongst my most memorable performances. Rev. Jesse Jackson personally asked me to join him for these historic events after singing and traveling with him for several of his concerts and events around the country in association with The Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Reflecting on civil rights and the turbulent last few years, what’s your view of America’s sociopolitical landscape?
As an artist, I prefer to use my music to speak for me on these sensitive issues at this point in my career. My album ‘Lift Every Voice’ was created and released during the height of the pandemic and social uprising in America as a bold response to the issues at hand. Each song is an offering of peace for these uncertain times and hope for a more unified future in America. It is not by accident that “We Shall Overcome” was chosen as my first single and ‘Lift Every Voice’ is the title of my album.
You’ve performed internationally and also assayed several operatic roles. This includes working with Maestro Anatolia Chepurnov and Maestro Sergei Kondrashev, performing in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, and Dubna with the Orpheus Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic. Of your many appearances on various world-renowned stages, which is the most memorable, and why?
Having the privilege to perform on world-renowned stages for major music events is a gift for which I am very grateful. However, a “most memorable” appearance is something that I will look forward to reflecting on towards the very end of my career. I have many more personal accomplishments to achieve before I consider that answer. Hopefully, it will be very challenging to choose just one when that time comes.
Your album, “Lift Every Voice” is a compilation of nine songs that capture the character of the nation and the foundations upon which it was built. Please share with us, in your own words, what listeners should expect.
Lift Every Voice is a project of unity; intended to uplift and celebrate all of our diverse voices. Seeing so much hurt and pain during the pandemic, in addition to witnessing unsettling social unrest, inspired me all the more to record and release this album. My intention is that my hope of unity and peace will be heard and felt greatly by the listener from beginning to end.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on several exciting ventures such as more recordings, music videos, and LIVE performances. I am equally excited to share that I will be releasing new original music for the upcoming holiday season. In addition, there will be many more releases of mainstream music.
Where can we follow your activities?
My music can be found on all of your favorite digital music platforms. You can subscribe to my website www.audreyduboisharris.com and like/follow me on Facebook and Instagram at Audrey DuBois Harris to stay connected and updated on everything.
Audrey DuBois Harris; Photo Credit Will L. Lewis IV Photography
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