Singing in front of 18,000 at the Hollywood Bowl, touring Europe and backing up artists in the studio are just as normal an occurrence as taking a biology test for Joel Brown, 20-year-old vocal performance major.

Brown, who is in his fifth semester at EC, might not catch many eyes as he walks down the hall, but he might catch an ear on a Barry Manilow track.

As a professional singer, Brown has toured Europe with L.A.-based Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers. He has also done other performances, which range from personal recitals to doing backup vocals for famous performers.

“I sing professionally off and on,” Brown said, but he is also focusing on transferring as a vocal performance music major.

Much of Brown’s musical experience and fame comes from his experience with the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers.

“They usually perform with about twelve to fourteen singers,” he said. “They do African American folk songs, black opera and musical theater.”

Though Brown has much of his experience with the group and has even toured with it through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and other European countries, he enjoys performing solo.

“I personally sing recitals and operatic material,” he said.

In addition to touring with the Jubilee Singers and backing up famous artists, Brown isn’t that much different from the average student, and may not lead as glamorous a life as it might seem.

Even backing up a famous artist, Brown’s experiences are down to earth.

“(Recording in the studio) was fun; it was tiresome,” Brown said. “It was in the weirdest place, not somewhere you would expect a studio to be. It was next to a Taco Bell.”

At EC, Brown is a normal student, taking voice from music professor Headley Nosworthy and trying to finish up his general education requirements so he can transfer.

“I’m transferring next semester to Columbia Union College,” he said.

Brown’s plans after transferring are vague, but he is willing to do what he needs to continue in his talent.

“Whatever I get the chance to, I’ll do it,” he said.

However, Brown wants to stick to his strengths and his passions and stick with the type of music he loves.

“I’m trying to come back and start singing the way I do,” he said. “I usually sing operatic stuff.”