Michael Ciavaglia of Emerson, N.J., honored at Fairfield University | Press Releases

Michael Ciavaglia of Emerson, N.J., has received a Student Achievement Award from Fairfield University's Alumni Association for his dedication to University and community music programs. He received his award during the association's annual Student Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 20.

At the age of six, Ciavaglia began singing with his church choir at the Orthodox Christian Church of Christ the Savior. Two years before he entered Fairfield University, he was already an apprentice conductor for the church group.

By second semester of his freshman year, University Glee Club Director Carole Ann Maxwell had recognized his talent, naming him director and conductor of the Glee Club's Men's Ensemble. In addition, he has served as a cantor and song leader at weekly Mass at the University's Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Ciavaglia has shared his time and talents off campus as well. Since his freshman year, he has been the assistant choir director for the Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church in Bridgeport, and, in his sophomore year, he joined the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut. Ciavaglia also studies voice at Yale University, where he is a member of the acclaimed Yale Russian Chorus.

Last summer, Ciavaglia worked as student conductor of the Summer Festival Chorus of the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts and conducted the Mendelssingers, an outreach choir that brings music to hospitals and nursing homes.

"I have rehearsal just about every day of my life, but I love it," Ciavaglia said of his life's passion.

Ciavaglia is an all-around academic standout, studying three languages and consistently making the Dean's List. He sits on Fairfield's orientation board and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities.

Ciavaglia will continue his music studies as one of an elite few chosen for the Temple University conducting program.