PHS grad wins singing competition

Matthew Billman may have started out in science, but with a burgeoning career in musical theater, those plans have changed.

On July 7, Billman won first place in the musical theater category of the National Association for Teachers of Singing competition in Greensboro, North Carolina. The National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS) is the largest association of music teachers in the United States.

“This is the second time I’ve competed in this competition,” said Billman. “I was a freshman (in college) the first time, and I didn’t progress past the first level. I hadn’t quite grown (musically) enough yet. I went through a period of massive musical growth in my freshman and sophomore year of college.”

Billman was judged on a number of aspects of his performance, including breath support, character portrayal and charisma.

The finals included a panel of judges from the MET and Julliard. “That was really cool,” said Billman. I never expected to win, I’m always confused when this happens.”

Billman graduated from Poway High School in 2011, where he portrayed Tevye in the school’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in 2011 and the prince in “Once Upon a Mattress” in 2010. He was the lead singer in “Slightly Handsome” quartet and was a member of Die Lieders. He also is a former winner of the “Rancho Bernardo Idol” contest.

He recently graduated from Stanford University with a degree in human biology, originally planned to go to medical school, but found the siren song of music too strong to resist.

“I’ve done science and music throughout my life,” said Billman. “I loved both, they’ve both kept me sane. Science is truly a fascinating thing for me.”

He said he majored in human biology partially because extracurricular music was easier to do than extracurricular science.

Billman recently completed a run of “Singed,” an improvised, three-act opera with the OperaWorks Advanced Artist Program in Los Angeles, and will release an album in January of musical fusion mash-ups, featuring an ensemble cast of Stanford University undergraduate musicians.

“I came to OperaWorks because it caters to the whole performer,” said Billman. “(I took) improv classes, yoga, movement classes and modern dance.” Billman said he enjoyed the positivity of his fellow performers. “Everyone here is handpicked not to be clique-y or arrogant,” he said.

Billman said he’s planning on moving to New York to pursue a career in musical theater, which he hopes to leverage into a solo career. Still, he’s not planning on giving up on his love for science. “My dream is to be a sort of musical Neil DeGrasse Tyson,” said Billman, “using my platform as an artist to teach people concepts they wouldn’t normally see. I would love to incorporate some cool aspects of science into the broader scope of performing, or do a show to advocate for causes like promising stem cell research, or mental health. If the bassist for Queen can be an astrophysicist, I can do science and musical theater.”