By: Patricia Trutescu

The 33-year-old Harlem native, Noah Stewart first developed his talent and passion for singing when he joined the school choir in junior high school. Now, The New York Daily News reports that today, he plays Radames in Verdi’s Aida at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY, through August 25^th.

Although his friends made fun of him growing up, Stewart fell in love with the lights and wanted to be a performer. He grew up in Harlem with his older sister and his mother, who supported the family as a cashier at the Food Emporium on 90^th Street and Broadway. Noah joined the school choir in junior high school as an extracurricular activity that would keep him in school until his mother got home from work.

Growing up, Noah told his friends he what he wanted to do with his life – sing like one of the three tenors and command the stages of Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Opera House. Now, after having released his debut self-titled album in the UK, Noah became the first black artist ever to hit No. 1 on England’s classical charts. Last week, his album was released in the U.S., and he hopes that his improbable rise will have the same impact in his home country. Listen to Noah sing “Without A Song” in his music video right here: