Honestly -- and this will sound ridiculous -- I still have to pinch myself even after all of these years that I really do have this career. And in my thirties, when things began to kick into gear professionally, I didn't trust that the momentum would last, in part because there were so few people of color around me in the profession. I felt exceptionally alone at times. I actually started to feel more secure with holding onto this job when others around me with similar backgrounds began to show up and become successful, too. It demonstrated that the values of classical music were beginning to shift and I wasn't just "flavor of the day" if that makes any sense. I would say that was in my early forties (and I just turned 50 recently). It's been a long journey, and I feel very grateful.

PS -- I hope you enjoy the opera!