While a student at Carondelet, Olivia Sydney Brown ’22 left her mark through her involvement and dedication to various activities like Company, Spiritual Life Council, and as a Rectora leader on the Kairos Retreat. Since graduating, Olivia has taken the world, and her college, by storm.
Now, at Chapman University, Olivia continues pursuing her passion for the arts—specifically acting. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screen Acting at the College of Performing Arts and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. In addition, she participates in department plays and musicals, Chapman Celebrates (a cabaret that raises money for the school), student films, and independent projects.
Olivia is also part of The Chaptones, an on-campus A Capella group competing in the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella. Recently, she even had the opportunity to perform on the popular NBC singing competition television series The Voice with The Chaptones.
“I was so excited to be on The Voice!! It was like living a dream when we got connected and when we got to step foot on the set at Universal Studios,” she said. “It was such a cool experience getting to be on set and see parts of Universal Studios that are closed off to the rest of the world.”
The group was fitted with gospel choir robes when they arrived before moving to a larger room to rehearse the music with the other choirs and the show’s music. After running through the music, Olivia and the group moved to the set and were given places to stand while the coaches had their soundcheck. “This was the coolest part,” Olivia explained. “Just watching the coaches go through a mic check and so naturally sing with their beautiful famous voices was amazing.”
The journey from the invitation to the performance itself was nothing short of a dream. Olivia can be seen singing “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” behind The Voice coaches alongside her and other choirs. For Olivia, being included in this opportunity was a moment of validation.
“When I stepped foot onto the set, my eyes started to water! Being on sets like this gave me a glimpse of what my future looks like,” said the burgeoning performer. “It made me feel so emotional because it’s my dream to be on professional sets, being part of films, and the entertainment industry.”
You can watch the performance here.
From the challenges of rigorous rehearsal to the triumphs of performing on national and now global stages, Olivia attributes her success at collaboration, communication, and resilience to her Carondelet community. “At Carondelet, I learned how important it was to be self-sufficient while also trusting others,” she said. “I implement this skill while on set, with The Chaptones, in class, and while living with roommates.”
Looking ahead, her advice to aspiring student performers is simple: trust your talents and be open to growth. “A learning mindset is the best mindset. When you get accepted into an acting program with other great acting students, believe that you were accepted for a reason,” Olivia said.
Though her time on The Voice has ended, Olivia still has much more to achieve. From auditioning for student films to continuing her journey with ICCA competitions and performances with The Chaptones, she continues in her pursuit of excellence.
With every step, Olivia has exemplified the spirit of courage and excellence imbued in Carondelet alumnae. From Carondelet to Chapman and beyond, her journey continues to inspire all who dream and believe in the power of their aspirations.