Success Stories

Women’s history in the making: CSF Alum becomes a bonafide opera star

March 2, 2023

J’Nai Bridges engages with family and friends at the reception.

Hearing from our alumni is always a treat. Learning about their noteworthy endeavors or specialized career paths inspires us to continue serving our students. For one CSF L1000 Scholarship recipient, she has become a bonafide opera star. J’Nai Bridges has sung all over the world and recently returned for a very momentous homecoming.

J’Nai Bridges, recently cast as Delilah in Samson and Delilah, gave an extraordinary debut performance at Seattle Opera. As she took her bows at the end of the performance, there was no doubt that her hometown audience had embraced her—and was in awe of her exceptional gift.

The Seattle Times had this to say in their opera review, “Bridges’ rich, opulent voice illuminated every line of her role, soaring to the high B-flat of the opera’s most famous aria, ‘Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix.’ Beautiful and regal … Bridges was gorgeously attired in spectacular dresses and jewelry (those earrings!) that brought out the opera glasses all over McCaw Hall at a whiplash-inducing speed. What a star!”

CSF and Seattle Opera co-hosted a post-event reception to recognize J’Nai’s talents and numerous accomplishments. More than 100 of J’Nai’s family, friends, music teachers and church community gathered to celebrate J’Nai.

J’Nai is presented with a City of Seattle Proclamation announcing J’Nai Bridges Day (left). J’Nai gives remarks after receiving the proclamation (middle). CSF President and CEO James Dorsey and Seattle Opera Associate Director of Community Engagement Alex Minami co-host the reception (right).

“It’s truly a special thing for me to come home to my village. There are so many people from Seattle, Tacoma, and Lakewood that have poured so much love into me that it really feels that this performance in McCaw Hall is a gift,” J’Nai shared after her performance.

As a young girl, J’Nai had many talents. But the time inevitably came when she had to decide if she wanted to play basketball in college or explore her opera-singing potential. CSF Co-Founder and scholarship benefactor, Ann Ramsay-Jenkins has stayed connected with J’Nai over the years, encouraging her to hone her craft. With the help of CSF’s L1000 scholarship, J’Nai was able to pursue her undergraduate degree along with her love of singing––eventually becoming a Grammy-Award winning mezzo-soprano.

As a high school student, J’Nai attended Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma. She then earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Manhattan School of Music and later her Master of Music degree in Voice and Opera from Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

J’Nai’s mother, Pamela Lewis-Bridges (left) was also honored at the reception with a #1 Opera Mama award for her steadfast support of her daughter. James and J’Nai (left) celebrate the evening with guests.

While in town for her performance at Seattle Opera, J’Nai received notable accolades from her home cities. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proudly declared January 22, 2023, as J’Nai Bridges Day. She was also presented with an award of Special Recognition from Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woods at the 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards. We couldn’t be more honored to have supported J’Nai along her journey to becoming a true hometown hero.

Special thanks to J’Nai’s mother, Pamela, and Seattle Opera for making it possible for CSF Scholars from Tacoma to attend a special dress rehearsal performance of “Samson and Delilah.” A most memorable opera experience for the students.