Photo Flash: Aalton Fitzgerald White Thrills at the Harlem School for the Arts

Alton Fitzgerald White, the charismatic, multi-talented singer/actor/dancer, and star of Broadway's phenomenal, long-running, The Lion King (2002-2015), was the very special guest of the Harlem School of the Arts, ARTMakers series.

Mr. Fitzgerald, who now adds author, to his long list of credits, paid a visit to the 50-year-old organization on the occasion of the publication of his new book - MY PRIDE, Mastering Life's Daily Performances (available on Amazon). The book chronicles his journey, from the housing tenements of Cincinnati, Ohio - growing up in a mostly female household, the youngest of seven kids and the only boy -overcoming his numbing shyness and finding the creative within, which led to a life as a musical theatre performer, breaking records for playing Mufasa(4,000 performances), in The Lion King on Broadway.

Opening with a song, "To Dream the Impossible Dream," which Mr. Fitzgerald says captures the idea of tapping into one's courage "and breaking through to the other side of a challenge," he was met with a standing ovation by an appreciative audience of adults and students.

You would hardly think that this bigger than life personality with the deep baritone voice was ever challenged by anything -- after all, he was The King. But there he was talking about being bullied, of wanting to be heard, but being too afraid, too shy. For the young students in the audience hearing his story stoked their confidence. Especially the young boys whose love of dance, the theatre and performance can be a source of slights by their peers. To hear that Mufasa had walked a similar path; to hear him speak about his challenges and overcoming them, that was a valuable lesson.

In him, they saw a confident individual, a powerhouse, an accomplished actor who has traversed all areas of the entertainment medium - Broadway, film, television, the recording industry, and the literary world, and it gave them permission to "Dream the Impossible Dream" knowing that it's achievable. With hard work, dedication and commitment, all things are possible, and standing there in front of them, was the proof.

Surrounded by the next generation of hopeful performers, Alton Fitzgerald White poses with this band of young Harlem School of the Arts students and a former member of The Lion King family (L) Aubrey Lynch II, HSA Dance Director.