Michael Strelo-Smith
About
Michael Strelo-Smith burst onto the national scene with his appearances on the hit NBC/Universal program America's Got Talent. He was placed as one of the top 35 and top 25 performing acts in America on seasons 2 and 3 respectively. The Castro Valley, California native garnered praise from audiences around the world when the show began airing internationally.
With numerous musical theatre performances to his credit, some of his favorite roles include: Archibald Craven (THE SECRET GARDEN); Jack (INTO THE WOODS); Audrey II (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS); Charlie Brown (SNOOPY); Billy (CAROUSEL); and solo appearances in SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, CLOSER THAN EVER, THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND, and A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. Well at home on the operatic stage Mr. Strelo-Smith has been seen as Pooh Bah (THE MIKADO); Horace Tabor (THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE); Falke in (DIE FLEDERMAUS); and Harlekin (ARIADNE AUF NAXOS). He garnered high critical praise for his interpretation of Sharpless in MADAMA BUTTERFLY with West Bay Opera, Bay Shore Lyric Opera and Livermore Valley Opera.
As a national finalist in the 2003 Classical Productions Voice Competition, Mr. Strelo-Smith was heard in Carnegie Hall - Weill Recital Hall. In 2000 Mr. Strelo- Smith received a study grant from the Licia Albanese - Puccini Foundation and was invited to appear in the annual winners concert in New York's Alice Tully Hall. He is also a past 1st place winner of the Berkeley Piano Club Voice Competition and a semi-finalist in the Loren L. Zachary Society for the Performing Arts.Mr. Strelo-Smith is a 2016 broadwayworld.com San Francisco Best Featured Actor nominee for his performances as Vice-Principal Panch in 25TH ANNUAL... SPELLING BEE. He was again nominated in 2017 as Best Featured Actor for his performances as Count Carl-Magnus in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.
Mr. Strelo-Smith holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Musical Performance from Notre Dame de Namur University. His MFA work focused on the integration of social justice and the expressive arts. His thesis was a lecture recital called Queer Liberation Theology: an Exploration of LGBTQ+ Oppression Through Song for which he received the Service Through Performance Award and was nominated by the university faculty for the Social Justice Award. He also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Musical Performance with a minor in Religious Studies, summa cum laude, from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California.
The healthy building of the voice is hallmark in our journey as singers. Yet, it is not the only aspect of our art to focus on in the studio. I believe the text, the intention, etc., are just as important. I believe that we have to step away from ourselves and trust the sound we make is the one we are supposed to make at that moment of our existence. We put to much emphasis on what is 'good' and 'bad'. I have a fundamental belief that EVERY sound should be celebrated. Ultimately, I find the most important goal is authenticity. If we allow ourselves - give ourselves the permission to freely express our sound we are well on the way to that place of authenticity within our sound and also ourselves.