Just as Keith Miller’s professional football career was on the rise, he had to choose between his successful history — and promising future — as a fullback and his new-found passion for opera — a world he knew nothing about.
Prior to 1994, he had never seen an opera, musical or ballet; he grew up in Ovid, Colo., (population 300), became a star fullback for the University of Colorado, played in two Fiesta Bowls, the Cotton Bowl, Aloha Bowl and Independence Bowl, carried the Olympic torch for the Atlanta Games and played pro ball for the European and Arena Football leagues. Just as teams like the Broncos were looking at him, he chose to pursue a career as an opera singer.
Though he had never been to a performing arts show, the spark for opera ignited when he took a date to “Phantom of the Opera” on his birthday.
“When I saw the first few moments of the show I was blown away, and since I had never seen anything like this before it was like giving chocolate to someone for the first time — unreal,” Miller said.
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