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Tri-City native Alicia Miles Olatuja sings at President Obama's inauguration

By the Tri-City Herald
Published: Jan. 22, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. PST — Updated: Jan. 21, 2013 at 10:44 p.m. PST
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A Tri-City native sang at Monday's presidential inauguration ceremony for Barack Obama in Washington, D.C.

Mezzo-soprano Alicia Miles Olatuja, 30, sang a solo with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as it belted out The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Olatuja was born in the Tri-Cities but moved from the area when she was 6 years old with her mother, former Pasco School District teacher Valencia Miles Wallace. Her father James Miles still lives in the Tri-Cities.

"Alicia sings with many different theater groups and (choirs) around the world," her mother said. "She's a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and is a soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

"It was very exciting that Alicia was able to sing at the inauguration ceremony today."

Olatuja lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mother lives in St. Louis, Mo.

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