First - is this a totally brick wall in an old building or is it a brick veneer wall on a framed residence?

How many storeys are above it or is it a one storey home?

If one storey and veneer, it will be the easiest answer, if not, you may be needing a pro

Excellence is its own reward!

the second story is where I want to cut hole. Just roof above. Brick over wood frame. I am concerned about the brick above the cut out?

You need to remove a few bricks higher than your opening and attach a steel Lentil about 1/2 brick past the opening on each side. They prevent future sagging.If the fellas who laid the brick used Tabs to support them every so often it should hold tight where you remove them. If its close to the roof line its not a lot of extra courses above if they do fall. Do not hammer or chisel them out. That makes cracks that spread like windshieldMark the 4 corners inside and hammerdrill pilots so you see them outside. Use a diamond blade saw for the cuts. This is assuming they used a heavy Portland mix for mortar like most verneers are. If the mortar is dusty its a different story, just rake some dust out untill 1 pries out and repeat.