Right around the time Janai Brugger started first grade, her mother was taking her to performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

That likely played a big part in inspiring Brugger to pursue a music career. But something else helped, too: The fact that she has a gorgeous voice.

In 2012 Brugger won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has performed on that famed stage several times since. Only now is the native of Darien, Illinois, making her debut on her hometown stage in the role of Liu in Puccini’s “Turandot.”

Brugger also makes her long-awaited debut on “Chicago Tonight.”

Video: Janai Brugger sings “Summertime” by George Gershwin.

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