Lura’s music training began as an 11 year-old at the esteemed UC Berkeley Summer Music Institute. Also taking year-round courses in classical voice, piano, music theory, conducting and composing, Lura knew singing was her destiny. With lauded tonally rich and powerful vocals that belied her youth, she had a full performance schedule during high school as a soloist with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra and featured soloist for her high school choir—the internationally famed Castlemont Castleers. In fact, during high school as a lyric soprano with dramatic tendencies, Lura’s vocal prowess in any genre stunned listeners, and led to her being admitted to USC’s renowned Thornton School of Music.

 

Classified at USC as a mezzo soprano, she was the only Black vocal performance major for four consecutive years. As an alumna, Lura has supported USC’s Black students through scholarships, including those named in the memory of her parents, Wilburn & Mary Lee Daniels, and her late husband—also a USC alum—Lionel Ball, who passed away in March 2017.

 

Over the years, Lura’s solo performances have been diverse, such as: live special events; original theatrical productions; orchestral works; and many more. Performances by the two-time national finalist for the prestigious American Traditions Competition for Singers, include singing the National Anthem at NFL games and at the famed Walt Disney Concert Hall of LA’s iconic Music Center complex as the featured guest soloist with the famed Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA)—the largest majority Black orchestra in the country. She’s also a lead soloist at the historic Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship (CCCF) of the groundbreaking United Church of Christ denomination. In addition, Lura continues to perform her acclaimed, MLK: A Tribute in Song, an original stage piece that celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a visually engaging multimedia presentation infused with poignant prose and riveting music sung by her soaring and soul-searing voice…

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Lura has also had 3 recording releases: her CD, God is the Strength of My Heart; a holiday CD entitled, In The Joy of The Season; as well as a special EP with the upbeat yet very poignant single Blessing (click on images for details). Blessings was inspired by the original composition of LA’s Faith in Christ Ministries (FICMLA) founder, Pastor Joe Browne. Lura adapted his words into a powerful musical prayer with fellow USC School of Music Thornton alumna, Ebony Cunningham-Vanderveer and Grammy-nominated producer-songwriter, Bruce “Automatic” Vanderveer, who has produced artists from Christina Aguilera to Leona Lewis.

 

Just as important music is to Lura, is her community and civics endeavors. Among her activities is as a USC Associate, as well as president of the Los Angeles chapter of the famed Our Authors’ Study Club (OASC), that was founded by 

Vassie Davis Wright and chartered by the legendary, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, which Woodson originally began as Negro History Week in 1926 during February, in homage to the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Therefore, it is very poignant and meaningful that she will be performing in the program.

 

But amidst all of her accomplishments, including her popular baking business, Lura’s proudest of her three children with Lionel: software engineer, Langston; entrepreneur and owner of DC's Rare Ink, Lawrence; and Lauren, also a USC alumna and singer, who has toured and recorded with Grammy-nominated superstar, Katy Perry for 8 years. Lura also beams with pride for her two wonderful grandchildren: Trinity and Jackson.