Singer Groban Speaks at Mich. Arts Camp

07/20/2004 2:41 PM, AP
John Flesher

Josh Groban had an artistic homecoming Monday, returning to the art school that he says did much to launch his career as a singer and songwriter.

"I've been dreaming of coming back here," the 23-year-old rising star told hundreds of cheering youths at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he will perform in concert Tuesday night.

A native of Los Angeles, Groban attended Interlochen's summer music camp in 1997 and 1998, majoring in musical theater.

Since then, he has recorded two top-selling albums, made numerous television appearances, performed with the likes of Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman and sung a memorable duet with Charlotte Church in the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Olympics. He is presently on a summer tour.

Returning to Interlochen the day before his concert, Groban fielded questions from delighted campers.

In addition to providing top-notch professional instruction, he said, his two summers at Interlochen helped focus his thoughts and chart a professional course.

"It opened up my eyes to so many things I wanted to learn, needed to learn," he said. "It became so crystal clear where I wanted to devote my energy."

Groban said his Interlochen days represent a time before he was exposed to the business side of entertainment, which "can be kind of icky at times."

"There's nothing but a love of the arts, a love of what you do, about his place," he said.

Asked how he would advise today's young artists hoping to follow his footsteps, he said, "Stay grounded and work as hard as humanly possible — and listen to your teachers."

One of Groban's early instructors, Hugh Floyd, watched proudly as his former student signed autographs for squealing fans.

"I thought he would have a successful career, but not nearly this fast," said Floyd, the camp's director of choirs and operetta.

"He had a wonderful voice then, and of course he has striking looks. Even at 16 or 17, though his voice wasn't that developed, there was so much potential."