NIU alumnus James Matthew Castle has something to smile about: Excerpts of his opera were performed in January at the 46th annual Convention of the National Opera Association in New York City.

“Before Dawn,” Castle’s master’s project at NIU, was the only opera that was originally a student project.

“I was really excited when I found out that my piece would be performed,” he said. “The excitement came out of knowing that a group of strangers would be performing my piece. This is the first time that this happened. I went to one of the rehearsals late on, about a week before the actual performance. Nothing they did with my piece was wrong.”

Castle’s opera was entered into competition by a friend.

“She and I had planned to do the piece earlier, but those plans fell through,” he said. “I got a call in October from the executive secretary from the association letting me know that my piece was among the top three finalists.”

Music professor Steve Squires remembers working with Castle when he was a graduate assistant at NIU.

Squires said Castle, whom he described as “phenomenal,” was a very versatile student who excelled in all aspects of music.

“He is destined to have a good career in music,” Squires said. “We’re really proud of him.”

Castle first became interested in opera in 1993.

“There was a teacher who really turned me on to the subject,” Castle said. “I used to think that opera was ridiculous. Then I learned that opera is the one art form that requires comprehensive collaboration. The text in opera has to tell a story and make sense. I started to find the artistic aspect fascinating.”

Castle moved to New York in August to pursue performing.

“I want to do the Broadway scene,” he said. “I’m considering entering a competition in London. I have to submit a proposal for an opera that I would like to write. I would spend time working in New York and in London.”

The competition probably would last on and off for two years, Castle said.

“It is scary to think about getting into this again,” he said.