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By day, Jeff Link is a small business owner and salesman. By night, he sings his heart out as a member of the Pittsburgh Opera-
Jeff Link ('77) is a small business owner whose company supplies automotive after-market ancillary products to auto dealers.
That may be surprising, when paired with the fact that Link is also an active opera singer, having performed with the Pittsburgh Opera for more than 20 years.
Most recently, Link has performed in the productions of Barber of Seville and The Rake’s Progress but over the years has also landed many cameo roles.
While his specific, diverse interests certainly make Link unique, his story is like that of many Clarion University alumni.
Like others, he came to Clarion to prepare for his career, and along the way he discovered a life-long passion.
A Butler native, Link chose Clarion for its convenience, affordability, and its potential to unlock new opportunities for his future. He started school as a medical technology student, when, on a whim, he decided to audition for a musical put on by the university’s theatre and music departments.
“I had always enjoyed singing. I grew up singing in the church, so I knew I loved it,” Link said. “It was just a question of ‘How good are you, and do you have the chops to do this at a different level?’”
As it turned out, he did have those chops, and then some. At Clarion, he went on to take part in numerous operas and musicals, discovering a particular passion for opera.
Link credits his interest in opera in large part to Dr Pat Conner, who was a professional opera singer and his vocal instructor at Clarion. “I was fortunate to be at Clarion—you know, as the old adage goes—'at the right place at the right time'. The music department was blessed with many talented students and, under Dr Connor's leadership, Clarion produced at least one opera every season,” he said.
He went on to note that the opportunity to play leading roles in so many full production operas is rare for most college vocal students.
This newfound interest led him to change his major to music education, the degree with which he would graduate, but teaching wasn't in the cards and he turned to sales. He mentioned that many of his most important lessons at Clarion came from his time outside of the classroom and that sales is not that far removed from performing.
Singing took a back seat for a time, but, after returning to the Pittsburgh area from out of state, he attended graduate school at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, performing in that school’s opera program while studying voice with Mija Novich. While there, he was noticed by famed Pittsburgh Opera director Tito Capobianco, who encouraged him to audition for the company. Since then, Link said, opera has been a steady part of his life.
It hasn't always been easy. “Managing the schedule required for rehearsals, directing a church choir—which I did for years—and handling our company can be taxing. My wife Nancy ('76) has always been supportive and keeps me going in the right direction, but even she sometimes has difficulty."
It has all been worth it however, as he said performing has helped him grow physically and mentally.
“Medical studies back me up,” Link said. “It’s good, physically, for your lungs, and for your brain. Singing and memorizing shows in four different languages… that helps you stay sharp.”
He also says his experience performing helped him achieve his career goals.
“Getting up in front of audiences and performing prepares you for so much,” he said. “It gives you confidence, helps you learn how to produce under pressure, and builds character.”
“I think a lot of people don’t realize the impact of the arts, in that way,” Link said, explaining that the “off the field” benefits people often ascribe to athletics also apply to the arts. He noted that he hopes for a resurgence of artistic study in universities across the country, so more people can reap those benefits.
“You may never get rich in the arts, but it’s so satisfying and opens many unexpected doors.”