 
Stella Black is the "Total Package." From modest beginnings in rural South Carolina where Country and Blue Grass were a given to Arias in Lieder and Chanson in Europe, Stella is at home with multiple genres. Her formal training began at age 10 with piano; by age 11, Stella was performing her own classical piano compositions on the Recital Stage. Her mother, a native of Seattle, felt that Stella 's southern diction might be greatly improved with voice lessons, thus at age 15, Stella began vocal and acting studies performing in Church, community theatre, off Broadway, Big Band, Political functions, Festivals, and even a U.S.O. type tour. It was during this time that Stella studied with a former music director of Radio City Music Hall whose influence she would feel for many years to come. She told Stella to sing anywhere... anytime!
While in college, Stella took a dramatic turn when she received a four-year scholarship in Vocal Performance. Within months she was winning State and Regional Vocal competitions. Within the year, she was awarded another four-year scholarship from the Charlotte Opera Guild leading her to the Upstate to study. Stella went on to win many State and Regional Vocal competitions, including the South Carolina Metropolitan Opera Competition, finalist in the Southeastern Opera Auditions, and regional winner for four years in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). After completing both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Vocal Performance, Stella longed for more knowledge of vocal technique and felt compelled to continue her training via private instruction. In her own words "A true singer never quits studying unless they are too old or dead!"
Instead of entering the educational system as a vocal teacher or trying to convince agents of her talents, Stella broke status quo by striking out into "free enterprise" It was with this decisive action that a musical entrepreneur was born. While continuing to sing at special events such as Madison Square Garden telecast and study privately, Stella opened successful talent agencies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida dealing in feature film, industrial film, educational film, and commercial work in the international market. |
She later developed a modeling divisions in her agencies that led her to scout for Elite Modeling Agency. Her success led Elite to entrust Stella to host the Elite Southeastern "Look of the Year." It was also during this time that she studied briefly with a world renown vocal pedagogist and author at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the second major influence in Stella's development as an artist. "He took the mystery out of vocal technique and turned it into a science for me." Though having worked with many renowned vocal coaches it was his influence that eventually leads Stella to her "Yoda" with whom she consults to this day.
In 1997 Stella decided to put her cumulative knowledge of music to the European test. She successfully auditioned with singers from around the world to perform in the Austrian Summer Festivals. Stella prefers Concert/Recital performances since this medium allows the artist to create a diverse program based on individual tastes. Though not the trendiest realm of performance, Stella feels that she can intimately share with her listeners some of the most diverse music ever written. "I need movement, and this type of performance enables me to explore a larger range of human emotion and musical expression. "Stella feels that she can expose non-classical listeners to some of the most beautiful music ever written without overwhelming first time listeners. "People who come to my concerts either know me, or know someone who knows me. This alone makes the experience special for my audience and me. After all... this is the earliest version of a rock concert!"
Stella performs and records throughout the U.S. and Europe. She recalls..."my mother once told me that I must live a while to be a true artist...how right she was! "Stella continues to write and produce commercial copy and acts for televisions commercials. Going back to her early music beginnings, Stella has recently renewed her love of writing and is an award winning American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Plus new song-writer. Stella writes in the genres of Adult Contemporary, Country, Latin, Broadway, Jazz, and Classical.
Do not be surprised if you see this diverse talent's name pop up in another genre. When asked to explain her diversity Stella stated that her creativity was "her day job."
Music Links
1. Shattered Dreams
2. Changing Winds
3. Please Tell Me The Meaning of Love
4. Senza Cantene
5. Suenos Destrozados
6. Los Vientos Del Cambio
7. Dime Que Signica Amor
8. Melodia Desencadenada |
