Alex Cosma is like any child his age. The 10-year-old North Royalton Elementary School student enjoys playing sports, swimming and spending time with his family and friends. But Cosma has an extraordinary talent that not many his age share: opera singing.
Cosma, a student of Olga’s Music Studio in North Royalton, recently competed virtually in The Elena Obraztsova International Competition of Young Vocalists. The competition took place in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was just one of four children representing the United States and earned third place, after moving to the final round with other young participants from around the globe. His division was comprised of children from nine countries and three age groups. Cosma’s repertoire included pieces in Russian, Italian and German. All finalists received diplomas of participation.
A four-year student of Olga Druzhinina, Cosma is enrolled in the studio’s competitive, professional level program and will compete this month in “The Stars of Summer,” an international vocal and piano competition and festival in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. A natural on stage, Cosma also appears in several venues and productions throughout the year, including those of the Cleveland Opera Theater, Cleveland Ballet and Opera in Italian Garden. He trains at Olga’s Music Studio throughout the week. On July 18, Cosma sang in the Cleveland Opera Italian Garden Concert, and he is already in training for the upcoming classic holiday opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in partnership with Cleveland Opera Theater.
“I like to make people happy with my singing,” Cosma said in a recent telephone interview. “I also really like how it sounds, though it is difficult.”
Druzhinina said opera training is attainable for any child, no matter his or her abilities. She opened her North Royalton school in 2000. Druzhinina, originally from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, began her music education at age 5 and studied at Tashkent Khamza Music College and Tashkent State Conservatory. She has held titles as a collaborative pianist and teacher at several institutions and has also performed as a soprano soloist in concerts. Along with running her studio, Druzhinina is Music Director of First Baptist Church of Bedford. Olga’s Music Studio students perform in productions, concerts and competitions throughout the year.
“Any child can do it, and if you are trained in opera, you can do anything because it lends itself to musicals and theater because opera is a production where you communicate to your partners,” she said. “Any child has ability and should be classically trained in singing. It is a healthy, lifelong habit. The idea of complex music education for children started in the orphanages of 17th- and 18th century Italy, where children were trained for intensive performance in the church.”
Cosma initially began his training with piano lessons, but soon switched to his true passion and interest in singing. The Elena Obraztsova International Competition of Young Vocalists is a highly prestigious contest for classically trained children following a career path, Druzhinina said.
The serious environment and rigorous vocal training doesn’t seem to shake the young Cosma. His sheer joy and passion for the craft overshadows any hint of anxiety. Cosma simply enjoys the moment and advises other children his age to pursue their interests with dedication and focus.
“I love the music and I enjoy it,” he said. “I would tell other kids my age to just work hard and follow your dreams.”

By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer