We're concluding our celebration of Women's History Month with Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges who has been lighting up opera houses with her voice. J'Nai discusses her debut at The Metropolitan Opera and her performance at Jessye Norman's memorial service, why crying and singing don't mix well, and how she channels her emotions to propel her artistry. Reflecting on her athletic background, J'Nai shares how this prepared her for a life on the stage, why she believes a good coach (vocal or athletic) is vital, and how a traumatic basketball experience in high school shaped her future as a professional singer. To close it out David and J'Nai talk shooting hoops with Wynton Marsalis and the biggest gift of her musical career. 

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Photograph of J'Nai Bridges by Dario Acosta.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

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