>> I started singing, you know,
when I was young, and I started
taking lessons around ten,
eleven years old
? He needs me ?
>> School theater and home
movies soon followed.
? Must be ?
>> I always loved the
Disney movies and going to
Disney World and seeing those
actors on stage, and really
wanted to be a performer.
>> Sure, living that Disney
dream, lots of little girls
want that.
Ariana Douglas even got her
parents to buy into that dream.
>> They took me to those
voice lessons and, you know,
supported me each and every day.
My mom is from India, actually,
and my dad is African-American.
So great combo I would
have to say.
My family was really interested
in the arts, making us
go to shows and seeing
musicals and operas.
? When Jesus is ?
>> And at an early age church
was an outlet for Ariana's
improving vocal talents.
? ?
>> I remember when I was in
high school I was always known
as 'the girl who can sing.'
>> 'The girl who can sing' would
be an understatement, not
many have this gift.
? ?
>> That Disney dream was
becoming a reality when she
hit the stage at the annual
UW Band Concert in 2012.
>> Last year in our show, I
found a young student at the
university who I asked to play
a part in the show we did of
Porgy and Bess.
[vocalizing]
>> It was just such a great
experience.
? ?
The music was just awesome.
? ?
>> She sang a very, very
difficult song from that opera
and I wanted to bring
her back,
Ariana Douglas.
[applause]
>> Two years in a row
Ariana Douglas took
center stage.
>> Folks you can go home and
you can listen to American
Idol, and you can go home and
listen to The Voice and
America's Got Talent.
But you won't hear any voice
any better than this one,
Ariana Douglas.
? Mi struggo e mi tormento! ?
? O Dio, vorrei morir! ?
>> Such an honor.
I mean, it's so great to
sing in front of thousands of
people in a big place like
the Kohl Center.
I was just very honored and
touched that he would say that.
? ?
[applause]
>> Ariana Douglas.
Great talent, great talent.
And she's from the
School of Music here at
the University of Wisconsin.
>> And if she hasn't amazed you
yet, think about this.
Ariana has had to learn the
languages of opera, including
German, Italian and French, not
only to sing the music, but to
interpret the emotion of each
and every word.
? ?
>> I think band show concerts
were really great.
Set that bar that I just need
to continue on and just keep
doing better and, you know,
developing my talent.
And hopefully make it to
a bigger stage.
>> Ariana is taking that next
step to a bigger stage by
attending graduate school at
Louisiana State University.
? ?
>> I really would like to sing
in an opera company, whether
it's here at the Met, that
would be an ultimate goal,
or going over to Europe.
? Why should I feel ?
? Discouraged ?
>> I like the dramatic aspects
of it.
It makes it interesting for an
audience to listen to, and
sort of keeps them awake,
I would have to say, too.
>> Who would of thought that
girl from Appleton--
>> Many people don't really
associate opera with Wisconsin.
>> --the one her classmates
dubbed 'the girl who can sing'--
? I sing because I'm happy ?
>> --the girl who dared to
"wish upon a star"--
? Because I'm free ?
>> --that she would grow up
to sing opera?
Ariana Douglas did.
>> I've been really blessed to
have a clear path and make my
dream, hopefully, come true.
? And I know ?
? He watches me ?
? ?