1996 – The Iowa Award – Iowa’s own opera star – Simon Estes.
In 1996, Simon Estes was awarded The Iowa Award, the highest honor given to an Iowan.
Estes, a poor black kid from Centerville, Iowa who had to fight off racial injustice at nearly every turn of his career, has gone on to become an internationally-acclaimed bass baritone, star of the stage at the world’s major opera houses, a regular guest at international festivals, along with making appearances with leading international orchestras under eminent conductors around the world. In 2021, Iowa City honored Simon Estes with their Lifetime Achievement Award.
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