Can Michigan be a Creative HOME for Artists Around the World? This Opera Performer Says YES!
Vocal Performer & Opera Singer Extraordinaire Stephano Andreotti has moved to Lansing. The Globally Award Winning Artist has won awards on multiple continents, has performed in some of the largest attended events in New York City, and has also toured Europe. Stephano’s first performance to a Mid-Michigan Audience as a resident of the Creatives’ Capital will be as part of the upcoming local television special, “The Power of Mid-Michigan Arts” where he will be performing alongside long time Lansing resident & fellow Opera Singer Sarah Elizabeth Wallace.
Stephano could have gone anywhere in the world to pursue his artistic endeavors. He chose Mid-Michigan. “We were looking at North Carolina & Pennsylvania,” said Stephano. “Mike Marriott of Opportunity Arts suggested we take a look at Lansing as well.” Stephano was impressed with how talented the visual & performing arts community is in Lansing. “I’m an Opportunity Arts Affiliate and have been since I was in New York. I kept seeing the amount of Mid-Michigan based talent that was being added to that roster, and witnessing just how versatile, innovative, and engaging it is, and it really made me take a hard look at Lansing.” Mike first introduced Stephano to the Lansing art scene when he booked him to perform as the headliner for the Artist’s Umbrella’s first ever virtual show a year ago. “Everything in New York City & Long Island was shut down completely at the time, so when Mike asked if I would want to headline the show virtually from my home in New York, I was honored.”
With Mid-Michigan on their radar, Stephano’s life partner Courtney began sending her resume out, and when she was offered a job as the School Age Program Director for the Okemos Kids Club, the decision to relocate to Lansing was a no-brainer. Two of the first places Stephano & Courtney visited in the Capital Region were Horrocks, & MEAT Southern BBQ. “We were introduced to Horrocks, and we hadn’t seen anything like that in NYC or Long Island that was as neighborly, fairly priced, and above all well stocked with every kind of quality grocery a family cook like myself could dream of ” said Stephano. “I’m also a fan of the Food Network, so I was familiar with MEAT from it being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. It was the first place Courtney & I ate as official Lansing residents.”
Stephano & Courtney said they have been blown away by the friendliness of Michiganders, and how welcoming everyone has been to them since they got here. Courtney added, “This place is very quickly feeling like home!” The importance of Stephano’s decision to join the Lansing art scene did not go unnoticed. “Someone of Stephano’s caliber deciding to come to Lansing to pursue his career is really a testament to what this art community has built over the last few years,” said local arts promoter, & Vice Chair of the Mayor’s Arts & Culture Commission, Mike Marriott. “Adding Stephano is one of the first steps in establishing a thriving Arts Industry here in the Capital Region.”
