Simon Estes is a very busy man. He has traveled all over the world singing for thousands of audiences, yet he makes time to call home and say goodnight to his children.

It’s 1 p.m. Iowa time, but in Switzerland, where his daughters are getting ready to go to sleep, it’s approaching 9 p.m. He speaks to his three daughters: Jennifer, Lynne, and Tiffany, and later smiles when he mentions their names.

The ISU music department is honored to have world-renowned and Iowa native opera singer Simon Estes as its artist-in-residence. This is the second part of his residency, following a stint at Iowa State in the fall.

Sue Haug, head of the music department, says working with an artist of the stature of Estes is a terrific opportunity for students.

“In addition to being a great artist, he is a wonderful human being. This residency is a great gift to the campus community,” Haug says.

Estes will have a tight schedule in the two weeks he will spend here. Tammy Krock, secretary for the music department, says that Estes will be working with the ISU opera studio, giving vocal master classes, and meeting with performing arts students. He will also be the featured speaker at the ISU Scholars and Leaders Event and will give two other public lectures.

Estes is looking forward to spending time with the students. He stresses that sharing is very important.

“[I’m looking forward to] sharing with the students my music education and my music experiences,” Estes says. “I have over 35 years of experience. I’m very happy to be back to work with the faculty.”

Estes was born and raised in Centerville, Iowa. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa, which he admitted sheepishly.

“You have to mention that quietly,” he says, laughing. He does have an honorary doctorate degree from Iowa State University.

He began majoring in pre-medicine at the University of Iowa and then Charles Kellis, one of his professors, introduced him to opera. Estes went to Julliard on a full scholarship and made his operatic debut with the Deutsche Oper Berlin as Ramfis in “Aida”.

Since then he has performed all over the globe. He has performed in the Hamburg State Opera, Zurich Opera House and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. A little closer to home, he has sung at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, and various other places throughout the United States.

One of his most memorable performances was in Oslo, Norway, for the Noble Prize committee. There were 52 different countries represented and among the audience were former President Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela. He especially enjoyed performing for Mandela.

“Nelson Mandela is a living legend of character, courage and integrity,” Estes adds.

He believes that his interaction with students will help them prepare for the future. He also adds some advice of his own.

“It helps to work with someone who’s actively performing,” Estes says. “Make sure you’re well prepared. You will need courage, realism, and objectivity. You will need a great desire to always do your best.”

Robert Molison, director of choral activities at Iowa State, says that Estes is an exemplary role model for any aspiring musician.

“Mr. Estes always brings what we all need more of, inspiration, a fresh point of view that comes from practical experience and a ‘you can do this too’ attitude,” Molison says. “He speaks from the heart. No ISU student should miss the chance to hear him speak and sing.”

Estes will be performing in the Midwest Children’s Choir Festival at Stephens on Friday night. It will feature three individual choirs: Angelica Cantanti from Minneapolis, Laudate of the Nebraska Children’s Chorus from Omaha and the Concert Choir of the Ames Children’s Choirs.

Sylvia Munsen, conductor of the Ames choir, says that there will be an additional 200 children from across the state that will perform as well.

“Mr. Estes enjoys meeting with the kids to share different music that he has made in his life,” Munsen says. “He has tremendous music gifts as well as personal gifts.”

The concert will focus on music of Aaron Copland to celebrate the centennial of his birth. It will conclude with a new arrangement of “America the Beautiful” featuring Estes as soloist and joined by all 400 children on stage.

Estes commented on the difference of working with children compared to working with adults.

“Children are fresh, young, hungry and very pliable,” he says. “They are a bigger challenge. Children’s choirs are very impressionable.”

There will be a lecture/question and answer session for music majors on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. in the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall. Sunday at 2:30 p.m., he will be the keynote speaker for the ISU Scholarship and Leaders event. Saturday, April 1, he will perform in a concert titled “Ein deutsches Requiem” (A German Requiem) at 7:30 p.m. at Stephens Auditorium.