In the 1930s and '40s, it would have been impossible for an African-American singer, however extraordinary, to sing Wagner's lily-white heroine in an opera production.

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With palm trees framing the stage and singer Lee Greenwood on hand to sing "God Bless the U.S.A., " supporters cheered Mr. Ryan's arrival in Florida.

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"I was a kid from Oklahoma who never wanted to be a singer, but was told I could sing, " she said in a 1999 interview.

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And totally fearless and precautious, and her musical director walked by the door and she stopped him and said, this is Patti Austin and she's a singer and she's going to sing on the next show.

NPR: Patti Austin, Singing Gershwin's Praises

Those who cannot get out simply announce their retirement from the profession like the Pashtu singer Gulrez Tabassum who recently said that he would not sing anymore after receiving threats from the militants.

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"The piano is kind of the hardware for the software of our programming that goes on year round, " said Zamora, who founded Sing for Hope in 2006 with fellow opera singer Monica Yunus, launching the first piano festival in partnership with British artist Luke Jerram in 2010 when 60 pianos were featured.

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Under a bright full moon, dozens of young, unmarried village women gather in a circle, join hands and sing and dance all night under the direction of a lead singer.

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Contestants sing live, and the public votes via text message for their favorite singer.

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Unidentified Singer: They don't have to take this part, but can I sing it one more time?

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Well, if you're a singer, then you're going to go out and you're going to sing on the next show.

NPR: Patti Austin, Singing Gershwin's Praises