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UST Vocal Performance Graduate Receives Full Scholarship to Yale School of Music
5/21/2008
 Joseph Mikolaj always knew how to sing, but this 2008 University of St. Thomas graduate said his education at UST enabled him to find a new voice, a new faith, a new personal motto, new opportunities and a greater sense of self-awareness. And his tenor voice is taking him places.
Mikolaj, who received a bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in voice in May, is one of eight students accepted to the master’s program at Yale University School of Music. He received a full scholarship and a significant living stipend to study in the Early Music, Song, and Chamber Ensemble voice program at Yale University. Only one student per vocal part is admitted into the program.
Mikolaj transferred to UST as a sophomore from Texas Christian University to study with Dr. Brady Knapp, assistant professor and director of choral activities. In fact, it was Knapp who encouraged Mikolaj to apply to the Yale School of Music.
“Dr. Knapp is a great teacher, and he has done wonderful things with the music program,” Mikolaj said. “All the music teachers at UST are so supportive. The music classes are smaller, and that’s essential in voice. Singing is so individual, and you need that individual attention – not only to physically work with your voice, but also to discover yourself as a person and performer. As a singer you absolutely have to be self-aware and UST fosters that self-awareness.”
Knapp applauded Mikolaj’s vocal talent and said he deserves the honor of attending Yale.
“I have had the good fortune of teaching Joseph Mikolaj in the voice studio at UST and he has been a member of the choral ensembles and participated in Opera Workshop,” Knapp said. “I believe he is on the road to becoming a first rate musician and scholar. I am so proud that Joseph has been accepted to Yale University and will be a member of the Schola Cantorum, an internationally renowned ensemble made up of singers of the highest caliber. Joseph will thrive at Yale and I expect will go on to have a successful career as a professional singer if he so chooses. UST should be very proud of him,” Knapp said.
While at UST, Mikolaj said he was moved by the Catholic faith. Prior to his education at UST, Mikolaj said he attended both Baptist and Methodist churches, but decided to convert to Catholicism. He completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. Mikolaj said the words of the Rev. Edward Baenziger, CSB, associate professor of French, will always stay with him.
“Fr. Baenziger once told me the good you have received is not meant for you, but is to be redirected and given to others,” Mikolaj said. “I have really adopted that as my personal motto. When I sing, it’s a connection with people. Song is an act of giving.”
Mikolaj said he is “still processing,” the news about Yale. For his parents, “there were tears of joy, and yelling and screaming. I think it really validated their parenting and their struggles – that I got into such a prestigious graduate school. I am blessed to have them for parents,” he said.
“I was shocked with joy and gratitude” he said. “There were stages of realization that I was really going to Yale, some of which I am still going through. I am inexpressibly, and uncontainably grateful for all the support I have received. The reason I am where I am today is because God gave me the talent and God gave me the people to cultivate that talent so I could give it back. ”
Mikolaj hopes to enjoy a successful career as a performer, and to someday teach vocal performance.
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