Singing Towards the Future The Story of Portia White

For ages 9-12. Portia White, born in 1911, had a dream -- to sing on stage. Even as a tiny girl in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she could imagine an audience before her, clapping as she took her bow. But how could a poor girl growing up in a family with ten siblings make that dream come true? At that time, there were few opera roles available for black singers. To become a recital singer, she would have to do as other singers did and go to Europe to study. How could she ever afford that! However, Portia was not only a talented contralto, she was determined. With the support of her family and community, Portia White eventually climbed onto stages across Canada, the United States, and Central and South America in the late 1930s and early 1940s. She crossed the colour barrier to enter concert halls and sing before white and black audiences on both continents. Later, she became a teacher and mentor of other well-known and successful singers.Goodall, Lian is the author of 'Singing Towards the Future The Story of Portia White', published 2004 under ISBN 9781894917087 and ISBN 1894917081.