"Cameron Russell is often called the "Lark of the Cascades" because of her Eastern Oregon roots. As a young child she would often
find herself herding sheep with her father on the Steens, Santa Rosa or Blue Mountains of Oregon . Giving voice commands to sheep dogs at great distance across canyon walls and down precipitous slopes taught her the skills of vocal control at a young age. After Cameron's powerful voice caused several avalanches her father encouraged Cameron to try yodeling. Inspired by winning a yodeling contest Cameron started to enter various vocal competitions. Her winning ways brought Cameron to San Francisco, California where she was accepted as a student of actress Irene Manning, the star of numerous movie musicals in the 1940's and 1950's. Miss Manning took Cameron under her wing teaching Cameron to sing songs from motion pictures and light opera. Soon the canyon walls beneath Miss Manning's home echoed with romantic songs to the delight of "shut ins" confined to their rooms at a nearby sanitarium.
Cameron auditioned for admission to numerous colleges and universities. One university audition took place at the Starlight Room of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. The professor playing the piano temporarily lost his way when a handsome young man hearing Cameron's golden voice suddenly appeared on a nearby balcony completely nude and stayed there until the song was finished. Cameron's cool aplomb to this event resulted in a full scholarship on the spot. It is rumored that the young man received a scholarship as well.
Cameron is a graduate of UCLA where she majored in Vocal Performance. After graduation from
UCLA Cameron moved to New York City where she attended the Manhattan School of Music. After receiving her Masters Degree from Manhattan Cameron sings for Opera on Tap and at other venues in the Manhattan area." Cameron has performed at numerous San Francisco Bay Area theatres, the grand opening of the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas and other venues."