7-Eleven Opera Guitarist Hopes To Reach High Notes At Peabody
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Last year, more than a million foreigners were issued green cards allowing them to come to America to peruse their dreams.
Mike Schuh has the story of one of them who's starting at the bottom to try reach the top of his profession.
Overnights at 7-Eleven are filled with routine.
New to the United States, Farshid Esmali needed a job. Now a 7-Eleven cashier, Esmali graduated from college in Iran.
"I studied classical music," the Iranian immigrant said.
That explains why on The Avenue in Hampden in the middle of the night, 7-Eleven sounds like no other convenient store.
Tom Patel, the 7-Eleven owner, hired Esmali. He encouraged him not to hold back, so don't be surprised if, while grabbing a taquito at 3 a.m., you are treated to a serenade.
"When he sings that it just chills me up," Patel said.
Singing opera is something Esmali does for fun. The reason he works 12 hours a night nearly every night is to allow him to follow his passion at the world renowned Peabody Institute, where he hopes to study classical guitar.
"I'm trying to feel music every time I play," he said.
Esmali is still working on prerequisites and hopes to enroll this time next year.
Meantime, he's the first non-student to sing his way onto the Peabody chorus, which allows him access to prepare to become a student there. As his real job is the one he does for free.
"At first I worked during the day, and I saw I couldn't do my music. That's why I work a night shift," Esmali said.
"I'm proud to have him with me that. At least he spent some time with me," Patel said.
"I love to do this, and I will do this. I will get there," Esmali said.
Esmali has a guitar concert in Towson next month, and the Peabody-Hopkins Chorus will perform in early December at the largest concert hall at the conservatory.
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