Janice Chandler Eteme is a renowned classical music artist who has captivated audiences around the world with her powerful and emotive performances. Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1962, Eteme grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her parents were both gospel singers, and Eteme was exposed to a wide range of music from an early age. Eteme's talent was evident from a young age, and she began performing in church choirs and local talent shows. She went on to study music at California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. She later earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. Eteme's career as a professional classical singer began in the early 1990s, when she was selected to participate in the prestigious Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera. This program is designed to provide young opera singers with intensive training and performance opportunities, and it has launched the careers of many successful opera singers. After completing the Merola Opera Program, Eteme went on to perform with a number of major opera companies, including the San Francisco Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She quickly gained a reputation as a powerful and versatile singer, with a voice that was equally at home in the worlds of opera, art song, and spirituals. One of Eteme's most notable performances came in 1996, when she sang the role of Bess in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Porgy and Bess. This production was a landmark event, as it was the first time that the Metropolitan Opera had staged the opera in over a decade. Eteme's performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and musicality, and it helped to establish her as one of the leading sopranos of her generation. In addition to her work in opera, Eteme has also performed extensively as a concert soloist. She has appeared with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed at major music festivals around the world, including the Ravinia Festival, the Tanglewood Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. Eteme's repertoire is wide-ranging, and she is equally comfortable singing the works of classical composers like Mozart and Verdi, as well as the spirituals and gospel songs that she grew up with. She has recorded several albums, including a collection of spirituals and gospel songs called "This Little Light of Mine," which was released in 2005. Throughout her career, Eteme has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1997, she was awarded the Marian Anderson Award, which is given annually to a singer who has made a significant contribution to the field of classical music. She has also been honored by the National Association of Negro Musicians and the National Opera Association. Despite her many accomplishments, Eteme remains committed to using her talent to make a positive impact on the world. She is a passionate advocate for music education, and she has worked with a number of organizations to promote music education and outreach programs in underserved communities. She has also been involved in a number of charitable organizations, including the United Negro College Fund and the American Cancer Society.

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