Elon University's vibrant community is set to shine alongside renowned Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. On February 20th, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, a select group of Elon faculty, students, and alumni will join Bocelli on stage for his Romanza – 30th Anniversary World Tour. This unique collaboration showcases the power of community and mentorship, as well as the university's commitment to providing real-life experiences for its students.
Gretchen Bruesehoff, an adjunct assistant professor of music, will lead the group, which includes several Elon University students and an alumni. The performance will feature Bocelli's choral ensemble, with Bruesehoff's membership in the North Carolina Opera facilitating this special opportunity. This marks the second time Bruesehoff has performed with Bocelli, and she is thrilled to be a part of such a significant event.
The performance requires five male voices, including three tenors and two bass baritones. Bruesehoff turned to the Elon students and alumni she knew would be up for the challenge. By involving her students, she emphasizes the importance of practicing what they preach and providing them with a unique learning experience. Anthony Hotakainen '26, Hashini Amarasinghe '26, George Zemla '27, JT Loveless '28, Isaiah Flowers '28, Michael Mintz '29, and alumni Travis Foust '23 were chosen to perform.
For Mintz, a first-year student and double major in acting and music in liberal arts, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. His family will travel from New Jersey to witness his performance, and he is excited to take on this new challenge. "It’s going to be really fun," he says, "I’ve never done something at this level, especially with other professionals, let alone something with opera. I think this is going to be a life-changing experience and something I will carry with me forever."
The group has rehearsed five times in Raleigh and will do a final run-through before the show at the Lenovo Center. Bruesehoff highlights the importance of language in the performance, noting that they will sing in Italian, Latin, and English. She has been working with the students outside of the official rehearsal process to ensure they are prepared for this unique experience.
This collaboration between Elon University and Andrea Bocelli showcases the university's commitment to providing its students with diverse and meaningful experiences. It also highlights the power of community and mentorship, as well as the importance of embracing real-life opportunities.
