Courtesy of Devon Cass "As much as I wanted to sing the more popular music, my voice sounded more classical than anything else," Nicole Cabell says. "I've learned to love classical music."

Courtesy of Paul Harris Opera star Nicole Cabell, who graduated from Ventura High in 1996, will perform at her alma mater Saturday. "I'm extremely excited because I haven't performed in Ventura since I was a student, pre-college," she says.

Growing up in Ventura, Nicole Cabell paid for her voice lessons by cleaning and doing odd jobs for her singing coaches and others.

From those humble beginnings, the soprano — now 30 and living in Chicago — has built an impressive career as an international opera star. She was crowned BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2005 and last year released her debut album on Decca Records.

Cabell will return to Ventura as a headline performer at the 14th Ventura Music Festival. Her 8 p.m. concert Saturday will be at Ventura High School, her alma mater. She graduated in 1996 and went on study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., and Juilliard School in New York City.

"I'm extremely excited because I haven't performed in Ventura since I was a student, pre-college," Cabell said. "It's wonderful to return home as much as possible to remind you of where you came from."

Cheryl Heitmann, executive director of the Ventura Music Festival, is ecstatic that the festival is getting the chance to spotlight Cabell's talents.

"Nicole has an incredible voice. Her singing is filled with such emotion and passion — you can just feel it," Heitmann said. "Her voice has been described as liquid gold and I think that is very true."

Heitmann is equally impressed with Cabell's dedication to her career and her craft.

"Nicole's determination to follow her dream is important for other young people to hear," Heitmann said.

Ventura Councilman Neil Andrews is slated to present Cabell with the key to the city today during a ceremony at Ventura High. Cabell will perform a few songs, and participate in a Q-and-A session. More than 800 students from the Ventura Unified School District are expected to attend.

Cabell said receiving the key will be an incredible honor.

"I've always loved Ventura, but now I feel an even deeper appreciation for a city that would honor not only me in this way, but show its commitment to culture and art through acknowledging classical music," she said. "I think the city of Ventura is growing into not only a wonderful place to live and a great tourist destination, but also a noted cultural hot spot. To give the key to the city to an opera singer says quite a bit about a city's dedication to high art."

@TO-1-Text Subhed:The early years

Cabell was born in 1977 in Panorama City and raised in Ventura. She has African-American, Korean and Caucasian roots, and her grandfather, Luther Lanier, was the first African-American chief in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

When young, Cabell sang along to the radio and dreamed about being a pop singer or a Broadway star.

"I would also imitate opera singers," she said. "My mother heard me singing around the house and encouraged me to really try my hand at it by joining the choir, which I did."

She also played flute in the De Anza Middle School band. Soon, she began studying classical voice.

"As much as I wanted to sing the more popular music, my voice sounded more classical than anything else," said Cabell, who calls opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa an inspiration. "I've learned to love classical music."

Although Cabell entertained ideas about becoming a writer, she decided to stick with music.

"I thought it was a great way to really explore life, the world, and challenge myself, so I decided to see if I could pursue it as a career," she said. "I've been walking through doors as they've been opened for me."

She had three years of private singing lessons in high school with teacher Linda K. Brice and studied with local vocal coach Vincent Sorisio.

"(He) created the foundation for my career," Cabell said. "Through them and the city of Ventura, I was able to perform in many of the city's beautiful churches and venues. I always felt encouraged in this artistic community, and now, through the music festival, I've come full circle."

@TO-1-Text Subhed:The ultimate goal

After graduating from Ventura High, Cabell studied with John Maloy at the Eastman School, where she received her bachelor's of music degree in 2001. She then entered the Juilliard School but was there for a very short time because she was asked to join the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She studied there for three years and was mentored by opera legend Marilyn Horne, among others.

In concert, Cabell has appeared as the soprano soloist with the Chicago Symphony, the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony and the Florida Orchestra. Cabell has also appeared in recital in New York City, Chicago, Tokyo and Buffalo. Earlier this year in Orange County, she made her Pacific Opera debut, performing in "The Magic Flute."

Cabell said her ultimate goal as a performer is to communicate the story behind what she's singing and to take the audience with her into a different world.

On the Net:

http://www.nicole-cabell.com.