Janai Brugger is a renowned American soprano who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born on August 14, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois, Brugger grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. Her mother was a music teacher, and her father was a jazz musician, which exposed her to a wide range of musical genres from an early age. Brugger's love for music began at a young age, and she started singing in her church choir when she was just five years old. She continued to hone her skills throughout her childhood and teenage years, participating in various musical programs and competitions. In 2003, Brugger graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, where she was a member of the school's choir and performed in several musical productions. After high school, Brugger attended the University of Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. During her time at Michigan, Brugger was a member of the University's Opera Theatre and performed in several productions, including Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and Puccini's "La Bohème." She also won several awards, including the Earl V. Moore Award for Outstanding Vocal Performance. After graduating from Michigan, Brugger continued her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she earned a Master of Music degree in Opera Performance. While at Curtis, Brugger had the opportunity to work with some of the most renowned opera singers and coaches in the world, including Barbara Bonney, Mikael Eliasen, and Alan Held. Brugger's career as a professional opera singer began in 2012 when she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. This prestigious competition is one of the most important in the world of opera and has launched the careers of many of today's most successful singers. As the winner of the competition, Brugger received a cash prize of $15,000 and the opportunity to perform in the Metropolitan Opera's Rising Stars Concert. Since winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Brugger has gone on to perform in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses and concert halls. She has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the San Francisco Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Houston Grand Opera, among others. Brugger has also performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. One of Brugger's most notable performances was her portrayal of Pamina in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Metropolitan Opera in 2013. The New York Times praised Brugger's performance, calling her "a radiant Pamina" and noting that she "sang with a pure, sweet tone and conveyed the character's vulnerability and strength." Brugger has also received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 2016, she was named a winner of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding classical musicians of color. She has also been a recipient of the Richard Tucker Career Grant, the Sara Tucker Study Grant, and the George London Foundation Award. In addition to her work as an opera singer, Brugger is also a passionate advocate for music education. She has worked with several organizations, including the Sphinx Organization and the National Endowment for the Arts, to promote music education and provide opportunities for young musicians.

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