Nathan Pacheco to Perform with Utah Valley Symphony, 8/17

After a summer abroad taking Italian and acting classes; regularly dining at an "amazing piazza"; and rehearsing for evening opera performances in Lucca, Italy, Nathan Pacheco wondered whether he could make this "splendid lifestyle" his profession.

"I absolutely loved traveling, meeting new people, and immersing myself in a new culture," says the 35-year-old singer. "I always wanted a career as a singer and composer, but it wasn't until I heard Jeffrey R. Holland challenge us to pursue our dreams that I decided to fully follow my dream of vocal performance. I was attending BYU and felt he was speaking directly to me. This was an 'aha' moment."

Music has been a good decision. The vocalist-who will perform Aug. 17 at 8:00pm at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre with the 80-member Utah Valley Symphony-has composed for and performed with renowned Greek pianist Yanni, signed with the Disney Pearl Series label, released a solo album, performed with opera sensation Katherine Jenkins, performed for Prince Charles at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., and been featured on two PBS specials. He also performed in front of enthusiastic crowds with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to celebrate Pioneer Day. His singing engagements have taken him across the globe.

Local audiences may remember him from his guest artist role at BYU's 2013 Homecoming Spectacular. He was so well-received on his first concert that word-of-mouth brought audiences flocking to the ticket office for a second concert the next day. At the SCERA concert, he will perform his signature Nessun Dorma from "Turandot" and well as contemporary favorites like Bring Him Home from "LES MISERABLES."

Tickets for the classically trained tenor's concert are $20 for adults, $15 for children (age 3-11) and seniors (age 65 and older). Reserved tickets range from $25 to $35 for adults and $20 to $30 for children and seniors. They are available at scera.org, by calling 801-225-ARTS, at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem, open 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm, or at the Shell gate prior to performance.

Pacheco's love of music was nurtured as a freshman when he sang with then-music professor Mack J. Wilberg in the Men's Chorus (now director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). "That was the finest musical experience of my time at BYU," he says. "We all know Professor Wilberg has a serious gift, and he pulled out amazing musicality from every member of the 300-member chorus. Performing in his concerts was magical and filled with so much emotion. Even now it is hard to describe the incredible feelings I had while performing with him."

As a professionally trained vocalist, Pacheco also credits music professors Lawrence P. Vincent and Clayne W. Robison with enhancing his musical training. Upon graduation, the Virginia native continued his musical education in South America and Europe. Armed with a passion for romance languages, he studied in Brazil for more than two years, immersing himself in the language and culture of the country where his grandfather was born. He ultimately toured the country, performing classical music as well as the cultural music of Brazil.

After a series of auditions in Los Angeles and New York, Pacheco made a fortuitous connection with Yanni, who used Pacheco as one of his four Yanni Voices in a 100-concert tour throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It was a breakthrough opportunity. Pacheco was a featured soloist and often wrote lyrics for Yanni's composition.

"This was perfect," Pacheco says. "It fed my love of traveling, composing, and performing." A dedicated student of romance languages, he has learned to speak and compose in English, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish.

Although he loves opera, Pacheco also sees himself as a crossover artist. "I often incorporate the more relaxed styles of pop or folk singing," he explains. "Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, big influences for me, use them, and I believe many people often find them more accessible than purely classical opera. I remember hearing Bocelli when I was in high school and absolutely loving how he would blend opera with pop."