Early Life and Education
Anthony Dean Griffey was born in High Point, North Carolina to a family of little means. Both his parents worked in the local furniture factories. He first began singing at the age of five in his local church. He started to study voice in high school, and subsequently attended Wingate University as a music major, with the intention of becoming a music minister (a clergy position which oversees all musical aspects of a church). At the encouragement of his teachers at Wingate, Griffey auditioned successfully for the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he studied with John Maloy. Griffey double majored in vocal performance and literature, receiving a Master's of Music/Performer's Certificate. After completing his studies at Eastman, he was recommended by Rita Shane and Renee Fleming to audition at The Juilliard School for Beverley Peck Johnson, who would become Griffey's teacher and mentor until her death in 2001. Shortly after entering Juilliard he auditioned for James Levine and joined the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist's program.
Read more about this topic: Anthony Dean Griffey
Famous quotes containing the words early life, early, life and/or education:
“... business training in early life should not be regarded solely as insurance against destitution in the case of an emergency. For from business experience women can gain, too, knowledge of the world and of human beings, which should be of immeasurable value to their marriage careers. Self-discipline, co-operation, adaptability, efficiency, economic management,—if she learns these in her business life she is liable for many less heartbreaks and disappointments in her married life.”
—Hortense Odlum (1892–?)
“Early rising is no pleasure; early drinking’s just the measure.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)
“What would life be without art? Science prolongs life. To consist of what—eating, drinking, and sleeping? What is the good of living longer if it is only a matter of satisfying the requirements that sustain life? All this is nothing without the charm of art.”
—Sarah Bernhardt (1845–1923)
“The study of tools as well as of books should have a place in the public schools. Tools, machinery, and the implements of the farm should be made familiar to every boy, and suitable industrial education should be furnished for every girl.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)