Devon Russo ’13 received a bachelors of music (focusing on both music education and music performance: voice) and is now a professional vocalist and music educator. After getting his undergraduate at URI, he attended the Manhattan School of Music and is currently in classes for his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at Boston University. He is a voice instructor at Providence College and the Community College of Rhode Island, as well as teaching through his assistantship at BU. He is also a member of AGMA and he sings with various professional opera companies, choral ensembles, and oratorio societies as a soloist and ensemble member.

Q. How did your URI degree best prepare you for your career path?

A. While I was at URI I was a double major in music education and music performance, and that opportunity really set me up for where I find myself now. Depending on the season or the part of the year, I might be performing more than teaching or vice versa. I like having the flexibility. A life in the arts is constantly shifting and URI gave me the space to focus on my fundamentals and grow into myself.

In your opinion, what is the value of the arts both academically and in the community?

In terms of academic value, I think the arts give people a progression to focus on. As your knowledge grows you can see your skills increase. I love having that tactile aspect to artistic study. As for the community it allows people a chance to express themselves to others and have the chance to observe someone else express themselves. It a binding agent for the people that make it and the people that enjoy what those artists make.

What advice would you give to current students or to young people thinking of pursuing a Fine Arts degree?

Take your time and enjoy the process of growing. My tastes in music shifted wildly between my undergraduate and where I sing and perform currently. I think the undergraduate degrees at URI give you the space to explore, make mistakes, and see where your personal strengths lie.