This was a very interesting segment on KFOR news tonight featuring legendary OCU music instructor, Florence Birdwell. She is on a trip to New York City to see her two students, Kristen Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara compete against each other for a Tony award Sunday night.

She seems to still be very feisty in her 90's.

Watch: Legendary Oklahoma voice teacher heads to the Big Apple | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/06/04/watch-legendary-oklahoma-voice-teacher-heads-to-the-big-apple/)

Nothing is understated by Birdwell. Woman is just a massive personality.

Congrats to Kelli O'Hara for winning her first Tony tonight. She gave a mention to Florence Birdwell in her acceptance speech.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxTIJrk-9-4

http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-native-kelli-ohara-wins-first-tony-award-on-sixth-nomination/article/5426006


An Oklahoma City University graduate, O’Hara, 39, beat fellow OCU alumnus and Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth to earn the Tony for best leading actress in a musical.
The so-called “Oklahoma smackdown” between O’Hara and Chenoweth was one of the most-watched contests of the theatrical awards season.
O’Hara said throughout the season that she saw the nominations for her and Chenoweth not as a "smackdown" but as an opportunity for both OCU graduates to pay homage to their legendary vocal teacher, Florence Birdwell.

She gave a great speech.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MneMh2c-y0M

Great speech! I remember watching her on the live TV Peter Pan show and thinking she was really talented not knowing she was from Oklahoma.

We know she and her family and just top notch! great accomplishement for her. She came and did a fundraiser for Deer Creek HS last year to open their new Performing Arts Center and was fantastic and raised a lot of money. Took time out of her trip home to do that. Class act!

This is a more extensive perspective on this inspirational woman.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMpJAwEGtXQ