Calgary Journal Online

All her life, Elaine Brown wanted to be a professional singer.  At age 62, Brown, a grandmother, has a contract with the Calgary Opera, one CD out and another album in the works.

Three years ago, she was also crowned winner on Bathroom Divas: So You Want to be an Opera Star?, Bravo channel’s national opera competition akin to Canadian Idol, beating out competitors half her age.

Elaine Brown, 62, continues to pursue her lifelong dream of being a singer. Though she’s been singing with choirs since her teen years, she never thought to dish out money for singing lessons until about fifteen years ago.

Photo courtesy of Elaine Brown

“All I ever wanted to do was sing, but I didn’t know I could sing opera,” says Brown, who performed in choirs all her life, but never felt completely fulfilled because her resonating voice had to be suppressed.

A mother of three, she also had a family to raise, and says she put her children ahead of a singing career.

Everything changed about 15 years ago when her daughter Robyn decided to pursue solo voice training.

“I started voice lessons and my voice teacher found out that my mom could sing, and so she encouraged her to get involved,” says Robyn Hauck.

“Her voice is made to sing with an orchestra,” Hauck adds.

Brown, who also works in real estate, says she never wanted to be old and have regrets, but that she used to wish someone would just discover her talents.

Gaby Rosen, a close friend explains: “She started really saying to herself, ‘You know, this is what I want to do.  This is my passion, and it doesn’t matter what my age is.  I’m going to go ahead and do it’.  She wasn’t going to let anyone get in her way.”

After studying for several years -- first with Mel Kirby and then with Elaine Higgin Case -- Brown went on to win several awards at the Kiwanis Music Festival and also at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Award.  Her first CD, Elaine: A Look at Me, was released in 2003.

“I often wonder why didn’t this happen earlier,” admits Brown.  “But I would have never wanted to sacrifice my children to be professional.  In this way, I can have both.”

Sixty years of life experience under her belt, she says, only adds to her strength as a singer.  

“It makes you more dramatic, more sensitive,” she says.  “My voice is the best it has ever been.”   

Next spring, Brown will be performing Aida with the Calgary Opera.  Her Christmas album is due out this December.

“She’s continuing to carve her way,” says Hauck.  “When you’re a singer and you love to sing, you’ll always find ways to sing.”