Matthew Grills A Winner At Met National Council Grand Finals

By Nancy K. Crevier

Matthew Grills, a 2004 Newtown High School graduate competing in the 2012 New York City Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Finals Concert, Sunday, March 18, was selected as one of five winners of the annual nationwide search for young talent. Matthew, who is currently enrolled in the master’s program for vocal performance and music literature at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., performed two arias for tenor on Sunday, competing against eight other singers from around the country.

Matthew secured the winning title of the Gulf Coast Region at competitions held in January in New Orleans, and advanced to the semifinals in New York City, held Sunday, March 11.

The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions is designed to assist young opera singers in advancing their careers. Each Grand Winner receives an award of $15,000.

Dr Kevin Braun, a longtime family friend, joined other Newtowners at the March 18 concert.

“The field of performers was absolutely amazing,” said Dr Braun, who was very pleased that Matthew was a Grand Winner. “It’s a great boon [to him] after years of hard work. I love to see young people do well,” he said.

Parents Joan Mareno and Joseph Grills were overwhelmed with joy.

“We’re so proud of him, and know he has worked so hard,” said Ms Mareno, Monday, March 19. “We’ve always believed in him and are proud of the person he is,” she said, and added, “We are very thankful for all of the people who have supported Matt, from Newtown High School on up, particularly Anne Carlson, who was Matthew’s first voice teacher.”

Matthew was still reeling from excitement Tuesday morning, a day after returning to his studies at Eastman and two days after receiving the honor.

“I got back to Rochester on Monday and everyone was going crazy. It was a little silly,” said Matthew. “It really didn’t hit me, that I was one of the Grand Finals winners, until they called my name [after the performance on Sunday]. I was in tears. It’s what every opera singer dreams of, singing at the Met,” he said, although he admitted that during competition he barely allowed himself to accept that he was on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. “That would have made me too nervous,” he said.

Not only is he appreciative of the monetary prize, said Matthew, but he realizes what a benefit to his career it has been to take part in the National Council’s competition. “The people in the audience included people from the music business, agents, and the judges — all very important people. So people from the business got to hear me sing, and that is great exposure,” he said. He was excited to have had the chance to meet the director of the National Council auditions, Gayletha Nichols, and get her feedback during the week of coaching prior to Grand Finals.

“I think I can go out on a limb to say that Sunday was the most special day of my life,” Matthew said. Contributing to the experience was knowing that former high school and college classmates, teachers, family, and friends were there to cheer him on. “Everybody I care about was there. These are people who have made a difference in my life,” he said. It was especially nice to see others from the Gulf Coast Region competition there. “People from there came all the way to New York City to support me,” he said.

Being a Grand Finals winner will not change his plans for the upcoming year, said Matthew, who will graduate from Eastman School of Music in May. “I’m really excited to be going to Sante Fe for the summer, and looking forward to signing a contract soon with the Portland Opera. I don’t think there will be anything new, unless it is something I can add on to the pile,” he said.

He was ready for the challenge of the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, and it is an experience he will always relish, said Matthew. “I feel like there was a change in me. I feel confident in ways I didn’t before,” he said.

Mostly, though, said Matthew, “I just feel really blessed.”