Jun 28, 2010 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A Connellsville Area High School graduate has garnered a position with the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music that will provide him the opportunity to spend six weeks in Italy to study opera with world-renowned singers. Blake Michaux, now a student at Seton Hill University, will travel to Spoleto, Italy, in mid-July.

“Being that I am passionate about this genre of music, I was honored to have been selected to participate in this program,” he said.

This is the first year the conservatory has participated in the Spoleto program that invites young people to hone their musical talents with vocal coaches and others to further develop their skills.

Michaux will be one of three tenors to take part in the study program.

A total of 100 students were selected from hundreds that auditioned in mid-February to take part in the program, which offers training and instruction to instrumentalists, conductors, accompanists and stage technicians that in addition to singers.

Michaux is no stranger to the stage as he has taken part in musical performances since grade school.

In 2000, he traveled with Kids and Company to the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, where the group performed at several venues before international crowds.

During high school, he took part in various productions, including the annual musicals under the direction of Merle Stutzman and Henry Molinaro.

He is a past member of the Westmoreland Choral Society and performed with the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh under the direction of Thomas Douglas. Michaux also was a member of the chorus for the 2009 Pittsburgh Opera Theater production of “Porgy and Bess” and performed at the August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh.

It was Molinaro, said Michaux, who encouraged him to pursue opera.

“During my junior year, Mr. Molinaro asked me to stay after class,” he recalled. “He told me that I was a little too loud in the tenor section, but that my voice had the vibrancy of an opera singer.”

Michaux said that initially he did not share Molinaro’s enthusiasm, but after following a suggestion that he study the tenor aria “La Donna Mobile,” he quickly became enamored with the music.

“I sang it and ran away with it,” he said. “I had all of the high notes.

“Opera is very dramatic and intense. I’m very dramatic and intense, so it fits. I’m loud and opera is loud.”

In addition to his musical studies, Michaux will also study Italian diction and take part in several performances.

The program will also provide the opportunity to tour the country.

“Singing and traveling in Italy will be such an awesome experience for me as a young man,” said Michaux. “I’ll be working on my voice and growing as a person.”

Michaux is seeking financial support for the educational endeavor that exceeds $6,000 in cost. Contributions can be sent to him at 411 E. Patterson Ave., Connellsville, Pa., 15425.

On his return, his parents, Ronald and Andrea Michaux, plan to host a concert that will allow their son to showcase his musical training in Italy.

Blake Michaux, meanwhile, said he is very excited about the opportunity.

“I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life,” he said.