Opera singer from VB returns to sing at college graduation

By Irene Bowers Correspondent

VIRGINIA BEACH

Michael Dailey’s singing career reads like a libretto: fateful discovery, change, remorse, rediscovery and happy reunion. And that’s just the opening act.

Dailey, 32, is a rising tenor in the opera world, currently one of Opera San Jose’s principal artists-in-residence. The 1996 Tallwood High alumnus and 2001 Virginia Wesleyan College graduate was invited to sing this year at the college’s 41st commencement ceremony.

Held May 15, the commencement graduated 290 students and awarded honorary degrees to Dr. Edward Brickell, who delivered the commencement address; and James Bergdoll and Joan Perry Brock for their community leadership and service. Lee Jordan-Anders , Wesleyan’s music department chair and artist-in-residence, was instrumental in securing Dailey for a solo performance during the ceremony. She said his selections, “Nessun dorma” from the Puccini opera “Turandot” and

“Make Them Hear You” from the musical “Ragtime,” held a message.

“The first celebrates a universal kind of victory; transcending the particulars of the opera,” said Jordan-Anders, who was the pianist for Dailey’s performance. “The second is an admonition to make your voice heard.”

Dailey’s personal victory over particulars came up during a dinner date, months ago.

“I was telling my story, and my date asked if I’d ever contacted the music professor who’d prompted my direction change,” he said. “I hadn’t, and she encouraged me to let Lee know that I was a working professional.”

Dailey e-mailed Jordan-Anders, who in turn, invited him home to sing.

So what is his story? While at Tallwood, Dailey tried out for the school musical. “I had no idea how to audition, so I jazzed up 'Happy Birthday,’ ” he said, smiling. “They cast me in the lead, as Pippin.”

Following graduation, Dailey was headed to Tidewater Community College when Tallwood chorus director Claudia Griffin asked him to audition for David Clayton, Wesleyan’s choral director . Dailey sang, the department enthusiastically accepted him, and he became a music major.

Two years later, the enthusiasm faltered. “I wasn’t working to potential,” Dailey said. “And Lee, my music theory teacher, called me into her office for a 'come-to-Jesus’ talk.”

It was advice Jordan-Anders dispenses to music students with misgivings.

“The life of a professional musician is difficult; it requires intense discipline as well as talent,” she explained. “I tell students they can always enjoy music for personal pleasure rather than gainful employment, and to consider another field of interest that may be a more suitable.”

Dailey took it to heart and switched majors, graduating with a degree in psychology and attending Old Dominion University for a master’s. All the while, he performed in local venues – Virginia Opera’s chorus, Todi Fest, Virginia Chorale.

One day, he realized he was thinking exclusively about a performance, and something clicked. “I thought, 'What are you doing?’ ” he said. He made a decision to finish up his studies and pursue opera.

Dailey received his master’s degree in counseling from ODU in 2004.

After training with Tri-Cities Opera Resident Artist-in-Training in Binghamton, N.Y., Dailey’s career began to unfold. He performed extensively in the United States and Europe, and in 2009 was invited to join Opera San Jose in California. He most recently performed in Vienna, with Theater an der Wien.

Although Dailey insisted that the Wesleyan’s commencement was “not about me,” Jordan-Anders begged to differ.

“He was spectacular. I think both pieces resonated with him, as well as our graduates – overcome circumstances and make yourself heard,” she said. “Michael stood as an example of a Virginia Wesleyan graduate who has done exactly that.”

Irene Bowers is a freelance writer who covers Virginia Beach for the Beacon section of The Virginian-Pilot.