Former pro football
player to share
musical talent

A former professional football player who is training to be an opera singer will sing music from French and Italian operas and American musical plays at a concert next Saturday.

The performance by Ta'u Pupua at Kilohana United Methodist Church, 5829 Mahimahi St., will benefit programs for the Niu Valley church's Tongan congregation. Donations will be accepted.

The 7 p.m. "Sounds of Our Pacific Islanders" show will also present songs and dances of Tonga by children and adults of the church.

Pupua lived in Hawaii as a small child before the family moved to Utah.

His brief career as a defensive end with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens ended in 1995 because of an injury.

He is studying opera in New York City with voice coach Evelyn Reynolds. He has sung in Europe and the United States, including a 1998 performance in San Francisco celebrating the 80th birthday of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga.

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