Ozzie Roberts - Making It

ARK Keeps young artists' performing dreams afloat

Sunday, April 27, San Diego Union-Tribune

Even at 10, Stefano Bieler knew that he should have warmed up, at least done a few voice exercises before launching into one of his favorites - "0 Sole Mio."

But ah, this was only going to be I a very brief perfonnance, kind of like a 1itt1e demonstration to show some guy from the newspaper how well he's come along as an opera and classical music singer.

Stefano's voice certainly wouldn't sound its best - but then, what do folks at the newspaper know about good singing, anyway?

Coach Pandeli Lazaridi felt that the lack of preparation for this brief demonstration wouldn't hurt his young charge one bit.

So Stefano went for it.

And for me, Stefano's voice filled the room; for me, Stefano's mellifluous sound was pure butter; for me, Stefano was Pavarotti.

Even the tough perfectionist in Lazaridi gushed: "He did that with no preparation, and I think it was quite good. He's getting better and better every day."

A student showing steady improvement in the performing arts is far from unusual at Pandeli Lazaridi's the ARK Center for the Performing Arts. The place is a 10,000-square-foot, refurbished haven in the heart of Middletown. It's mainly for budding young performing artists who want to learn, show what they know and maybe make something of themselves.

It's what Lazaridi spends nearly every waking hour running, along with the Small Opera of San Diego and his Academy of Sound and Music, through his nonprofit Lazarideus Foundation.

At the ARK Center, in the 3500 block of Kettner Boulevard, the life-long lover of the performing arts and music teaches voice. He commissions and coordinates locally produced shows, including operas and even visual art exhibits.

Lazaridi holds fund-raisers there, and he provides a venue for his students and other artists to present themselves. (Call 619-725-0777.)

All of it, too, is the culmination of a decades-old dream in which the 54-year-old Greek transplant saw himself doing exactly what he is doing. "It's a mission," he often says.

And young Stefano is typical of the beneficiaries.
He has worlds of talent.

Although math and science are his favorite subjects at Children's Creative & Performing Arts Academy of San Diego, where he's in the fourth grade, singing and performing on stage are his driving passions.

"I was inspired to get into singing opera and classical music when I was 5 or 6," Stefano says. "I heard this 13-year-old German kid singing on TV, and I was hooked."

"I like the way the voice produces sounds in classical music. With classical music, you can get the feel of it, unlike with any other music."

Stefano, who lives in Imperial Beach and has performed with the San Diego Opera, says he suspects his Italian roots also play a continued part in his attraction to classical music.

He also happily points out that he'd found Lazaridi and his ARK Center a year ago during an Internet search for a place where he could get professional help improving his talents.

Along with voice training and theater roles, Stefano also gets lessons on the piano, another love.

He remains strong on the goal of becoming a professional singer, actor and pianist. Lazaridi, thinking of how he must continue sacrificing to keep his dream going for dreamers such as Stefano, says everyone knows that's what it's all about.
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