Bridging Cultures through Song | Leah Armstrong
Bridging Cultures through Song, Leah Armstrong’s Journey into Opera
In the heart of Oklahoma, where vibrant cultures converge, a young and talented student named Leah Armstrong is quietly making waves in her community. At just 15 years old, Leah possesses a passion for music that transcends age and background, and she is on a mission to bring the magic of opera to a broader audience.
Leah’s musical journey began at home, where she was homeschooled by her mother. From a young age she showed an affinity for music and singing. However, the catalyst for her opera journey was Barbara Macalister, a global opera singer, who after spending majority of her life singing opera in the global stage, came back to her roots to teach opera to talented Cherokee students like Leah, free of charge. As Leah delved into the world of opera, she and her family discovered a newfound accessibility to this art form during the pandemic. The Metropolitan Opera offered free monthly streams of operas on MET Opera on Demand. This rare opportunity allowed Leah and her family to enjoy over 20 operas in 2020.
For Leah, opera has become more than just a form of entertainment; it’s a way to connect with culture, history, and humanity. She firmly believes in the importance of introducing people, especially young people, to this form of art. The arts, she argues, thrive when people engage with and support them. She reminds us that opera is an ancient art form, with songs that have endured for centuries. In a world of instant gratification, opera is a treasure that deserves preservation and appreciation.
Through the Let’s Choose Love grant, Leah was able to purchase tickets to the opera and organize a trip for her peers, teachers, and parents. With additional support from the Tulsa Opera, she was able to purchase 25 tickets to the “Into the Woods Opera.” Recognizing her passion, the Tulsa Opera included an additional 25 complimentary tickets to another opera in the fall, an invaluable gesture that will allow Leah to introduce even more young people from her community to the beauty of opera.
Leah draws parallels between opera and Cherokee culture. Both are rich, vibrant, and require dedicated individuals to keep them alive. Just as she is learning Cherokee through her singing, she believes opera can serve as a bridge between cultures and communities. Her journey in opera has thus far allowed her to explore various cultures and languages, including German, Italian, French and more. While indigenous voices in opera remain rare, Leah’s ambition is to inspire her peers to engage with this art form, whether as singers, audience members, or supporters.
By sharing her passion for opera with her community, Leah wants to spark interest and curiosity. She believes that exposure and knowledge can lead to a deeper appreciation for this art form. Opera, she emphasizes, is more accessible than many might think. It is not just about extravagant ballgowns and elite gatherings, as many may perceive it to be. Leah points out the incredible volunteer efforts behind the scenes that make opera more accessible to everyday people. For example, the Tulsa Signature Coral is a space where ordinary people come together to create something extraordinary for the enjoyment of the community that many might not even know about.
Leah Armstrong’s journey is one of passion, dedication, and a commitment to the belief that art, culture and music should be shared and cherished. For Leah, opera is not just about beautiful music; it’s about preserving a living, breathing art form. As Leah continues her journey, there’s no doubt that her remarkable story will inspire others to explore the world of opera and culture with open hearts and minds.
