Music student’s path to graduation demonstrates resilience, determination
William "Cael" Szabados is graduating as a double major in vocal performance and music learning and teaching. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2025 graduates.
Graduating from Arizona State University as a double major in vocal performance and music learning and teaching, William “Cael” Szabados discovered his passion for music during his senior year of high school, when his music teacher encouraged him to take choir in addition to piano.
Szabados knew he had an uphill climb — having only started singing as a senior in high school. When he didn't pass the audition into voice performance at first, he went to trade school as a sound engineer and became the successful manager of a retail store. He persevered, worked hard and continued vocal study, and was rewarded with admissionNote: The School of Music, Dance and Theatre offers direct admission into the BA in Music program for students who wish to study music but may not wish to take private lessons. Learn more and apply here: https://musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/admission/apply-music-major into the program, where he has thrived.
“I really wanted to do this,” said Szabados. “Third time was the charm; I was let into the program on my third try.”
Szabados started as a music education major with no aspirations to become a performer. But seeing a performance of “Into the Woods” at ASU his sophomore year changed that.
“I told my voice teacher, ‘I want to do this,’” he said. “I auditioned for the first community theater production I could and got a supporting lead role. Since then I’ve been bitten by the performing bug.”
He’s made the most of every opportunity to perform. At ASU, he was cast in a solo role in “Le Nozze di Figaro” and in “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.” Outside of ASU, he performed with Arizona Opera in “Aida” and “Zorro.” He also performed at Opera in the Ozarks and was awarded a scholarship to participate in the Lieder program at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. In 2025, he was a Cal-Western National Association of Teachers of Singing competition finalist.
“Cael’s journey is especially inspiring,” said Stephanie Weiss, associate professor of voice. “He worked tirelessly to improve and earned his place through perseverance and passion. He brings the same commitment to supporting others and promoting cultural understanding through music.”
Szabados said students shouldn’t be afraid to take time to figure things out: “Go and do things you hate. Do things you love. Find what you really want.”
Here, he shares more about his college journey.
Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU that changed your perspective?
Answer: I think a lot of young people are eager to get where they are going immediately. One day I realized it’s OK to suck — especially when you’re learning something.
Q: What is a memorable moment during your time at ASU?
A: My most memorable moment was seeing “Into the Woods” at ASU. Seeing Tre Moore, who is a senior in musical theatre and business, perform as Jack was a big moment for me and honestly is what put me on my current trajectory. He’s a star!
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: When I first applied, it was because I’d heard that ASU’s music school was pretty good. … As a kid, you just go, “It’s a good school. Cool.” As I kept getting rejected, it became, “I’m going to get in.” It was stubbornness.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Everybody on the voice and opera and theater faculty; everyone in the Music Theatre and Opera faculty, of course. Most specifically, Stephanie Weiss, my voice teacher. She has taught me many, many valuable lessons. I cannot thank her enough for her patience and wisdom and expertise and love and support. She will be my forever teacher. I was so, so unbelievably lucky to be placed in her studio.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: It is never too late to find yourself or rediscover yourself. It is always OK to change paths, at any point. What’s the point of life if you’re not doing something you feel fulfilled by? At the end of the day, I just want to be the best version of myself that I can be — and hopefully make the lives of people around me better.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I’m currently doing my prescreens for a master’s degree in opera performance. I will have one semester off, then next year I will be going right into my master’s program for opera. Opera is a very special art form that not a lot of people get to be part of. It’s history, it’s art, it’s fun.
Q: If someone gave you money to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would advocate for the environment. I love rock climbing, hiking, camping, fishing — all of the stuff outdoors. It’s awful to see how easily we mistreat the planet.
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