Cherokee Celebrities - Amy Brownlow

Our Captivating Cherokee diva of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico,
AMY HYMEL BROWNLOW, SOPRANO

Amy was born in the state of Louisiana and has lived in Brownsville since the age of three. She completed her education at the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Music Education degree with a Performance Certificate, and then a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance.

Brownlow spent time in Italy performing such operatic works as Suor Angelica and I Pagliacci, in affiliation with the Rome opera. She was also involved in numerous concerts, and solos. While in Italy, she worked with such renowned musicians as Carlos Morganti, Patricia Heuermann, Mikael Eliassen, and Patricia Miller.

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Amy’s Native American ancestors would be proud of the way she contributes to the fellowship of any gathering.

In October of 1996, Brownlow sang the opening concert, honoring the conductor Sergio Cardenas, at the Festival Internacional de Mexico in Mexico and was invited back to sing again in 1997 and 1998.

In the United States, Brownlow has carried lead roles in Mozart’s Die Zauberflote, Don Giovanni, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, L’elisir d’amore and Bizet’s Carmen. She has also appeared in such Broadway leading roles as Babes in Arms, Guys and Dolls, and Brigadoon. In 1999 she traveled to upstate New York, where she performed the role of Musetta in Puccini’s La Boheme. Several local newspapers were quoted as saying, “Amy Brownlow was refreshingly coy with real personality. Her famous taunting aria in Act II was filled with laughter and style.” and “Amy Brownlow found her greatest vocal and dramatic power in the last scene.”

In October of 1998, Amy made her debut with the San Antonio Symphony under the direction of Christopher Wilkins in the opera Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck in San Antonio, Texas. Also in 1998, Brownlow appeared in a production of this same opera with the South Texas Lyric opera under the direction of Mara Waldman.

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Amy Brownlow sings the Cherokee Nation Prayer for Peace in Spanish and Cherokee for 3 governors & the Secretary of Energy.

In February of 2001, Brownlow made her debut with the Mid Texas Symphony under the direction of David Mairs in a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria in New Braunfels, Texas. Brownlow is also recognized for her work in Oratorio performing the solos in such works as Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s The Creation, and Lord Nelson Mass, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

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Cherokee Diva Amy Brownlow sings the Cherokee Prayer for Peace a capella by firelight.

In December of 2002, Ms. Brownlow made her debut as a soloist with the Valley Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Peter Dabrowski. Also in 2002, Brownlow was hired by the Cherokee Nation of Mexico to record and perform the Peace Prayer written by Dr. Charles and Sheron Rogers. Dr. Rogers is the chief of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico. Brownlow has traveled throughout Mexico performing in various Cherokee Nation gatherings. She has also made recordings of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” translated into Cherokee and recorded an original song also written by the Rogers.

Amy resides in Brownsville, Texas where she teaches voice at the University of Texas - Brownsville and is the founder and general/artistic director of the university’s very successful Bravo Opera Company that is now in its seventh year. She is the wife of Art Brownlow and has a beautiful son, James.

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Amy and James on a Hidalgo morning.