​Born in Centerville, Iowa, in 1932, Dr. Simon Estes’ first singing experience came at age eight when he performed with the choir in Centerville’s Second Baptist Church. After enrolling at the University of Iowa in the late 1950s as a pre-med and psychology major, Dr. Estes became the first African American member of the university’s Old Gold Singers.

He would go on to build a global reputation and win numerous awards and accolades while performing with 84 of the major international opera companies as well as 115 orchestras around the world. He also advocated for more opportunities in opera for African-American performers.

Learn more: https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/simon-estes-41 and https://www.dmacc.edu/finearts/Pages/simon-estes.aspx

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