Q&A: Opera Singer Sidney Outlaw

Obvious Magazine sits down with Brevard, North Carolina native Sidney Outlaw.

He talks about his love of the arts and challenges for opera singers, as he explains why being overweight isn’t always in your best interest. His story is very inspiring for anyone interested in the art of operatic singing and classical music.

Where do you currently reside?

Sidney: New York City

How did you get into opera?

Sidney: In 11th grade my mom bought me Soprano Kathleen Battle’s ‘Grace’ CD and Mezzo Soprano Denyce Graves – Voce di Donna.

Any formal training?

Sidney: Bachelors of Music from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Masters of Music at The Juilliard School, New York City.

What are some of the hidden challenges opera singers face?

Sidney: The main challenge for me personally is bridging the gap from being a young artist to being considered an artist and treated as one. Another huge challenge is the weight issue. Opera is so mainstream now. We definitely have to stay in great shape, which is a big challenge when you’re on the road and there’s nothing but McDonald’s around to eat. Also, too much weight loss affects your instrument.

Is there adversity in the opera community?

Sidney: The arts in general are having a hard time right now. Due to budget cuts, opera companies and arts organizations are shutting down all over the United States. It forces singers to find other unique ways and opportunities to express themselves in performance.

What do you love about opera?

Sidney: The music and singing combined with the drama [and sometimes the BIG HAIR and drag queen makeup. LOL].

What would you improve in the opera community to create more diversity?

Sidney: I would keep arts in the public schools and reach out to kids from different backgrounds to let them know that classical music and opera music is very cool. Teach them that opera is cool to like, listen to, and even perform. Also, collaborate with public school music teachers to come up with ways to spark an interest in opera and classical music for students as it relates to things they deal with on a day to day basis.

What is your dream gig?

Sidney: To sing the role of Dandini in Rossini’s comic opera La Cenerentola (Cinderella) with Larry Brownlee as Ramiro and Joyce DiDonato as Cenerentola & Maestro James Levine conducting the Metropolitan orchestra!

Where have you performed?

Sidney: As far west as San Francisco, California and as far east as Tel Aviv, Israel and a number of places in between!

Tell us a little bit about who you are as a person.

Sidney: I’m a pretty laid back person who loves to laugh and joke around and anything comedic [I mean Kathy Griffin funny]. However, I am very serious as a musician, not so serious that I don’t give the music room to breathe. I pull from life experiences, good and interesting, to make whatever music I’m performing my own for the time it takes for me to perform it. I have my close friends and a very supportive family that I’m crazy about. I love old TV shows from the 90′s like ‘Roseanne’, ‘Will & Grace’ and ‘Gimme a Break!’ [Yay Nell Carter!] I love fashion and seeing new unique trends especially for menswear. I love wearing Nikes of any kind.

Who inspires you to sing?

Sidney: Leontyne Price, Ettore Bastianini, Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey, Franco Corelli, Birgit Nilsson, Maestros James Levine, Erich Leinsdorf, Herbert von Karajan, Luciano Pavarotti, my coach Warren Jones, Pastor Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland, The Caravans, The Barrett Sister, Dorothy Love Coats & The Original Harmonettes [old school gospel group]!