when norman was nine she was given a radio for her birthday and soon discovered the world of opera through the weekly broadcasts of the metropolitan opera, which she listened to every saturday while cleaning up her room. she started listening to recordings of marian anderson and leontyne price, both of whom norman credited as inspiring figures in her career. she received her first formal vocal coaching from rosa harris sanders creque who was her music teacher at a. r. johnson junior high school. she continued to take voice lessons privately with ms. sanders creque while attending lucy c. laney senior high school in downtown augusta.