By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

EVANSTON - When her mother dragged her to the opera Sunday afternoon, Serena Walker had one thought - boring.

But this opera wasn't fat ladies in Viking hats singing in another language. This opera was young singers in T-shirts and khakis singing Michael Jackson.

Afterward, the 11-year-old had another thought about the opera: "It was cool."

"Find Your Voice" is an opera education program that teaches kids and adults to never give up on their dreams. Through songs and comical skits, opera singers Mary Elizabeth Southworth and Phumzile Sojola explain how they overcame obstacles to follow their dreams.

In addition to two more public performances this week, the opera is performing the show at local schools this week.

During Sunday's show at St. Mark Catholic Church, Sojola, 33, told the audience how he grew up in South Africa during apartheid. And though he didn't see a television show until he was 8-years old, he loved American pop music.

"When I was a kid I wanted to be Michael Jackson," he said before breaking into "Beat it."

Southworth, 34, told of dancing to Polka music while growing up on a Wisconsin farm.

They both began singing in their church choirs, but they came to the opera through different, winding roads.

Sojola, who moved to the U.S. when he was 16, wanted to be a police officer. He began taking singing sessions while in criminal justice school. He then transferred to the University of Kentucky where he found a mentor who helped him find his voice.

Southworth studied to be a music teacher because she didn't think she could be a performer. She finally decided teaching wasn't for her and began auditioning. After many failed auditions someone gave her the advice, "stop trying to be a singer and be one."

She then won a Metropolitan Opera competition.

Since then, Sojola, a tenor, and Southworth, a soprano, have sung with operas all over the country.

"We both kept at it, appreciating each level of achievement," Sojola said.

"As long as we keep learning, it will always be interesting."

If you go

What: Find Your Voice.

When and where: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Allen Temple AME, 7030 Reading Road; 7 p.m. Friday, New Prospect Baptist Church, 1829 Elm St.

Admission: Free

---

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com