{{short description|American opera singer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Ballam | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|8|21}} | birth_place = Logan, Utah, U.S.<ref name=Boone>{{cite news |last=Boone |first=Ray |title=Utah Theatre Turned Into 'Time Machine' Showcasing Classic Films |url=https://ksltv.com/429762/colonel-and-opera-singer-show-classic-cinema-to-big-cache-valley-crowds/ |newspaper=KSL-TV |date=2020 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=Opsahl>{{cite news |author-last1=Opsahl |author-first1=Kevin |author-last2=Dolan |author-first2=Sean |title=Cache Chamber, Downtown Alliance give annual business awards |url=https://www.hjnews.com/allaccess/cache-chamber-downtown-alliance-give-annual-business-awards/article_d36e6233-f955-5ce7-88c9-fb58ffc06213.html |newspaper=The Herald Journal |date=2017 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> | occupation = Opera singer (tenor) | spouse = {{marriage|Laurie Israelsen|1972}} | children = 6, including Vanessa Ballam | education = Utah State University (B.M.)<br /> Indiana University (M.M., D.M.) | website = {{URL|MichaelBallam.com}} }}
'''Michael Lynn Ballam''' (born August 21, 1951)<ref name="IntWho'sWho">{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |title=International Who's Who in Music and Musicians' Directory |volume=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MikUAQAAIAAJ |publisher=Melrose Press |location=Cambridge |page=46 |date= 1981}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Sweeney |first=Michael S. |title=Last Unspoiled Place: Utah's Logan Canyon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ci9WmHcsCgkC |publisher=National Geographic |location=Washington, D.C. |page=149 |date=2008 |isbn=9781426202827 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> is an American opera singer, educator, and arts administrator.
He is the founding general director of Utah Festival Opera<ref name=Mesa /><ref>{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Jerry |title=Battling the wind, rain and tigers in Cache Valley |url=https://www.deseret.com/2015/8/15/20570261/battling-the-wind-rain-and-tigers-in-cache-valley |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=2015 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> and a professor of music at Utah State University. He has served on the faculty of the Music Academy of the West, where he also studied,<ref name="IntWho'sWho" /><ref name="MAotW alumni">{{cite web| title=Alumni Roster| url=http://www.musicacademy.org/school/alumni/alumni-roster/voice| website=musicacademy.org| access-date=27 January 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605021001/http://www.musicacademy.org/school/alumni/alumni-roster/voice| archive-date=5 June 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref> and as a guest lecturer at Stanford, Yale, Catholic University,<ref>{{cite web |website=Catholic University of America |title=Past Visitors and Scholars |url=https://music.catholic.edu/vocal-performance/visitors-scholars/index.html |department=Departments of Music |access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref> and Manhattan School of Music.
==Biography== ===Early life and education=== Michael Ballam was born in Logan, Utah to Grant Lamb Ballam, a pharmacist, and his wife, Marianne Fullmer.<ref name=Stowe>{{cite news |last=Stowe |first=Dorothy |title=Deep-Rooted Heritage Sprouts Artistic, Musical Generations |url=https://www.deseret.com/1995/7/27/19184397/deep-rooted-heritage-sprouts-artistic-musical-generations |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=1995 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name= "Who's Who">{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |title=Who's Who in the West |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9qJmAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Marquis Who's Who |location=Berkeley Heights, New Jersey |page=33 |date= 1978 |edition=16}}</ref> He was raised in River Heights, a town adjacent to Logan.<ref name=Opsahl /><ref>{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Jerry |title=Ballam Takes America's Music to America |url=https://www.deseret.com/1991/10/11/18945543/ballam-takes-america-s-music-to-america |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=1991 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> Ballam credits his great-grandfather, an immigrant from Denmark, as an inspiration for his pursuit of music and Latter-day Saint Christianity.<ref name=FAIR /><ref>{{cite interview |last=Ballam |first=Michael |interviewer=Ananda Isaksen |title=Michael Ballam |url=https://mormonartist.net/interviews/michael-ballam/ |publisher=Mormon Artist |website=MormonArtist.net |location=|date=2013}}</ref>
In 1956, he made his stage debut at Logan's Capitol Theatre, now the Ellen Eccles Theatre.<ref>{{cite news |author-last1=Housley |author-first1=Hailee |author-last2=Reid |author-first2=Kiel |title=Longtime Logan residents reflect on city changes through the years |url=https://usustatesman.com/longtime-logan-residents-reflect-on-city-changes-through-the-years/ |newspaper=The Utah Statesman |publisher=Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |date=2013 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> He attended Sky View High School in the neighboring town of Smithfield,<ref>{{cite news |last=Lincoln |first=Ivan M. |title=Logan Man has had a Trilling Life in the Opera |url=https://www.deseret.com/1989/10/22/18829528/logan-man-has-had-a-trilling-life-in-the-opera |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=1989 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> where he was cast as Wang Ta in ''Flower Drum Song'' and Billy Bigelow in ''Carousel'', among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Performances of Michael Ballam |website=MichaelBallam.com |url=https://michaelballam.com/perform/ |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> After graduation, he attended the nearby Utah State University to pursue a degree in music education.<ref>{{cite web |title=USU Alumni = Great Success |url=https://www.usu.edu/today/story/usu-alumni-great-success |website=Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |date=2007 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Utah State University Commencement |url=https://issuu.com/usudigitalcommons/docs/utah_state_university_commencement__a703bb9f23ca2c |publisher=Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |date=1972 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> He continued to sing in musical theater productions and expanded his repertoire to include opera, oratorio, and concert recital works.
At the age of 24, Ballam became the youngest recipient of a Doctor of Music with Distinction in the history of Indiana University.<ref>{{cite book |last=Holland |first=Dr. James M. C. |title=Singing Excellence and How to Achieve It |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UYiJFhch4_EC |edition=3rd |publisher=Xlibris |location=Bloomington |page=80 |date=2012 |access-date=August 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufoc.org/michaelballam/index.html |title=Welcome to the Utah Festival Opera |publisher=Ufoc.org |access-date=2011-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224125932/http://www.ufoc.org/michaelballam/index.html |archive-date=2008-02-24 }}</ref> At Indiana, his ten roles performed included Andres in ''Wozzeck'', the title role in ''The Tales of Hoffmann'', and Rodolfo in ''La bohème''. In 1976, he was the first student to perform the title role in ''Parsifal''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tobias |first=Marianna Williams |title=Opera for All Seasons: 60 Years of Indiana University Opera Theater |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iP4Bxo8hsmMC |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Bloomington|pages=138; 362 |date=2010 |isbn=9780253353405 |access-date=August 1, 2022}}</ref>
===Professional work=== Ballam has performed with many national houses, including the San Francisco,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.sfopera.com/qry3webcastview.asp?key=9012 |title=Performance Archive |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2004 |website=San Francisco Opera |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> Metropolitan,<ref name=Perkins>{{cite thesis |type=DM|last=Perkins |first=Will |date=2017 |title=Incorporating Musical Theater in the Classical Voice Studio |url=https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/bitstream/2022/21352/1/Perkins%2C%20William%20%28DM%20Voice%29.pdf |chapter=4 |institution=Indiana University |location=Bloomington |page=48 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> Houston Grand,<ref name=Perkins /> Washington National,<ref name=Perkins /><ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last=Rich |editor-first=Maria F. |title=First Performance Listing |url=http://cpanda.princeton.edu/pdfs/csob/2401.pdf |periodical=Central Opera Service Bulletin |volume=24 |number=1 |publisher=Central Opera Service; Metropolitan Opera |location=New York City |page=58 |date=1982 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> San Diego,<ref>{{cite news |last=Herman |first=Kenneth |title=Foss Set to Spin Ghost Tales for 'Lighthouse' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-10-ca-4948-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles |date=1986 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> and Michigan<ref name=Townley>{{cite magazine |editor-last=Townley |editor-first=R. Edward |title=Profiles |url=http://motlibrary.slis.wayne.edu/images/programs/A_PRO_19811982_001.pdf |magazine=Michigan Opera Theatre: Official Program Book |issue=1981–1982 |publisher=Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |location=Detroit |date=}}</ref> Operas. In 1978, he premiered the role of Beelzebub in Penderecki's opera ''Paradise Lost'' at Chicago Lyric Opera.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Humphrey |first=Mary Lou |title=Paradise Lost: Penderecki's Operatic Enigma |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1290708047 |url-access=subscription |volume=37 |issue=1 |page=13 |journal=Music Journal |location=New York City |date=1979|id={{ProQuest|1290708047}} }}</ref> Ballam also premiered the role of Coyote in Mollicone's 1998 opera ''Coyote Tales''.<ref name=Mesa>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Mesa |first=Franklin |title=Ballam, Michael |encyclopedia=Opera: An Encyclopedia of World Premieres and Significant Performances, Singers, Composers, Librettists, Arias and Conductors, 1597-2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HyUkCQAAQBAJ |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |page=306 |date=2015 |isbn=9781476605371 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref>
Ballam's recital venues have included Kennedy Center,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hume |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Hume (music critic) |title=Michael Ballam |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/01/25/michael-ballam/71268044-330a-42a5-897e-a9e8e209e10d/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, D. C. |date=1982 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Notre-Dame, and the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Ballam has also performed as a soloist at the White House and the Vatican.
As an actor, Ballam has starred in ''Clubhouse Detectives'',<ref>{{IMDb name|0050511}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Young |first=R. G. |title=The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoJ4jTghUPYC |publisher=Applause |location=Lanham, Maryland |page=106 |date=2000}}</ref> as the Apostle Paul in the BYU Studios biopic ''The Chosen Vessel'', as well as Lucifer in the 1990 temple film used in the endowment ordinance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Merrill |first=Kieth |title=A Family Film Made For Families by a Family |url=https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-1207/ |website=Meridian Magazine |date=2005 |access-date=August 7, 2022}}</ref>
Ballam is also an oboist and pianist.<ref name=Orellana>{{cite news |last=Orellana |first=Roxana |title=Ballam will discuss the healing power of music |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/ci_12373349 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=2009 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rothschild |first=Abigale M. |title=BYU Women luncheon to offer good time, entertainment |url=https://universe.byu.edu/1999/04/13/byu-women-luncheon-to-offer-good-time-entertainment/ |newspaper=The Daily Universe |publisher=BYU |location=Provo, Utah |date=1999 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref>
===Illness=== In 1987, Ballam was performing ''La Traviata'' in Caracas when he suddenly lost his ability to sing. He returned to his home in New York City and visited his ENT. After testing, Ballam was informed that the cause of his illness was a mystery and that he should prepare for a poor prognosis. Physicians in Denver and Houston provided similar perspectives. He returned to his family in Logan, Utah. It was later discovered that Ballam had suffered from a sinus infection that had progressed into his cranial cavity as a bone infection and subsequently into his lungs. Doctors operated on his skull and prescribed a regimen of antibiotics. Ballam recovered quickly.<ref name=Benson>{{cite news |last=Benson |first=Lee |title=About Utah: Logan arts scene enriched by Michael Ballam's return home |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/7/16/20424303/about-utah-logan-arts-scene-enriched-by-michael-ballam-s-return-home |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=2012 |access-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Parkinson |first=Paul |title=Miracles in Cache Valley: Michael Ballam & The Utah Festival Opera |url=https://issuu.com/fibonaccifineartsdigest/docs/volume_1_issue_2_-_issuu_version_6- |magazine=Fibonacci Fine Arts Digest |volume=1 |issue=2 |page=76 |date=2014 |access-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref>
===Utah Festival Opera=== When Ballam returned to Logan in 1987, he joined the music faculty of Utah State University.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty and Professional Staff - USU Catalog |url=https://catalog.usu.edu/mime/media/12/2390/02_Faculty.pdf |website=Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |type=PDF |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> He was soon notified that the Capitol Theatre, where Ballam first performed as a child, was to be torn down to make room for a parking lot. Ballam ran a successful, multi-million dollar campaign to save, restore, and expand the building, which had fallen into disrepair. Upon completion, the theater had its name changed to the Ellen Eccles Theatre, honoring the community service and character of Ellen Stoddard Eccles (1867-1957) and her family.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Jerry |title=Logan Brims with Pride, Hope Over Renovated Opera Theater |url=https://www.deseret.com/1992/9/10/19004085/logan-brims-with-pride-hope-over-renovated-opera-theater-br |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=1992 |access-date=August 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name=Israelsen /> In subsequent years, Ballam has also led the restoration and renovation projects of several other historic cultural landmarks in Logan, Utah, including the Utah Theatre and the Dansante Building.<ref name=Boone /><ref name=Israelsen>{{cite magazine |last=Israelsen |first=Boyd P. |title=Restored and Revitalized:Logan's Eccles Theatre |url=https://issuu.com/utah10/docs/utahpreservation_volume1 |magazine=Utah Preservation Magazine |volume=1 |publisher=Utah Division of State History |via=Image Publications |page=24 |date=1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Allison |first=John |title=Opera Festivals, 2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7m1XhWBuR8C |magazine=Opera (British magazine) |publisher=Rolls House Publishing Company |location=London |volume=62 |issue=1 |page=123 |date=2011}}</ref>
In 1992, Ballam founded Utah Festival Opera,<ref>{{cite web |title=Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/870498252 |website=Charity Navigator |location=Saddle Brook, New Jersey |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What you need to know about the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre |url=https://www.deseret.com/2017/7/19/20616116/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-utah-festival-opera-and-musical-theatre |last=Wilde |first=Whitney Butters |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=2017 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> which presented its first season in the summer of 1993.<ref name=Benson /><ref>{{cite web |title=Utah Festival Opera |url=https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/events/utah-festival-opera |website=Visit Utah |publisher=Utah Office of Tourism |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> Since its inception, Ballam has stood as general director of the company, as well as one of its recurring performers. Most Utah Festival Opera productions are performed on the stages of the Ellen Eccles and Utah Theatres. The repertory company has continued to grow, now staging six shows and several concerts each summer.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schill |first=Charlie |title=Utah Festival Opera unveils 2022 summer season shows |url=https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/archive/2021/10/27/utah-festival-opera-unveils-2022-summer-season-shows/#.Yu8FXXbMJD8 |newspaper=Cache Valley Daily |date=2021 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref>
For the 30th anniversary season in 2022, Ballam reprised his role as Cervantes/Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schill |first=Charlie |title=Logan impresario Michael Ballam reprises the role of Don Quixote |url=https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/archive/2022/07/11/logan-impresario-michael-ballam-reprises-the-role-of-don-quixote/#.Yu79lnbMJD8 |newspaper=Cache Valley Daily |date=2022 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref>
==Additional contributions== {{Quote box|align=right|<blockquote> "[Michael Ballam's] more than an entertainer.<br /> He's got a heart of gold. He does it quietly.<br /> He doesn't make a show of it.<br /> He believes in music and goodness." </blockquote> |source=—Thomas S. Monson, former president of the LDS Church<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Doug |title=Michael Ballam: Utah tenor's career comes full circle |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/10/28/19781524/michael-ballam-utah-tenor-s-career-comes-full-circle |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=2002}}</ref> }} Ballam has authored over forty publications and recordings in international distribution, and produced/performed a weekly radio program on Utah Public Radio.<ref name=Orellana /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.michaelballam.com/store/index.php |title=Michael Ballam Recordings |publisher=Phoenix Productions |date= |access-date=2019-01-01}}</ref> He is frequently asked to hold lectures worldwide on the creative arts, more specifically music, and their interaction with the functions of the mind, their use in enhancing education, and as sources of therapy and motivation.
Ballam currently serves on the Board of Directors of several professional arts organizations.
==Achievements== * 1996: ''100 Top Achievers in the State of Utah'', awarded by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher{{Citation needed|reason=References are only made to self-promotional material|date=August 2022}} * 2003: ''Artist Extraordinaire'', appointed by Governor Olene Walker * 2007: ''Excellence in Community Teaching Award'', given by the Daughters of the American Revolution * 2010: ''Gardner Award'', given by the Utah Academy of Science, Arts & Letters, for “Significant Contributions in the Humanities to the State of Utah” * Honorary Life Membership to the Utah Congress of Parents and Teachers
==Faith== Ballam is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<ref name=FAIR>{{cite web |last=Ballam |first=Michael |title=Michael Ballam: My Testimony of the Book of Mormon |url=https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/testimonies/scholars/michael-ballam |website=FAIR |location=Redding, CA |date=2011 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite speech |title=The Inexhaustible Gospel |url=https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell/inexhaustible-gospel/ |last=Maxwell |first=Neal A. |author-link=Neal A. Maxwell |event=Devotional address |location=Brigham Young University |date=August 18, 1992 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> He has written and lectured on the relationship between music and the doctrines of the Church.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ballam |first=Michael |title=Music's great power can uplift and inspire - or promote evil |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1991/8/10/23260363/musics-great-power-can-uplift-and-inspire-or-promote-evil |newspaper=Church News |publisher=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=1991 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite speech |title=The Power of Music to Lift and Teach |last=Ballam |first=Michael |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8scWgmcAok |event=BYU Education Week |location=Provo, Utah |date=August 17, 1998 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite speech |title=The Healing Power of Music |last=Ballam |first=Michael |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnrFtz2wj3o |event=BYU Education Week |location=Provo, Utah |date=August 16, 1999 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> The Church created the position of "musical missionary-at-large" specifically for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,355014358,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205125531/http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,355014358,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 5, 2003 |title=Deseret News, October 28th, 2002 |publisher=Deseretnews.com |date=2002-10-28 |access-date=2011-03-12}}</ref>
In 1999, Ballam sang "Panis Angelicus" by Cesar Franck at the funeral of his friend and supporter,<ref>{{cite AV media |last=Rudolph |first=Walter B. |title=Opera and its Voices in Utah |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhCGiM9x_54 |type=lecture |publisher=DigitalCommons@Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |via=YouTube |time-caption=1 hr 4 min 30 seconds in |quote=...the very first tickets sold when [Utah Opera Festival] opened in 1993 were purchased by Leonard Arrington. |date=2017 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> influential LDS author and historian Leonard J. Arrington.<ref>{{cite journal |editor-last=Anderson |editor-first=Lavina Fielding |editor-link=Lavina Fielding Anderson |title=In Memoriam, Leonard J. Arrington |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23287736 |journal=Journal of Mormon History |volume=25 |number=1 |page=8 |jstor=23287736 |date=1999 |access-date=August 2, 2022}}</ref> Ballam also sang for the 90th birthday celebration of LDS president Gordon B. Hinckley.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |title=Year of transition: Church progresses in many ways |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2000/12/30/23245125/year-of-transition-church-progresses-in-many-ways |newspaper=Deseret News: Church News Archives |location=Salt Lake City |date=2000 |access-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref>
==Family== Ballam's grandfather, Oral Ballam, was a veteran in World War II. When he returned to the United States, he was educated at Utah State University, and received an Ed. D. from UCLA. After graduation, he was granted a Ford Foundation Fellowship, which allowed him further study at Stanford and Columbia Universities. He was a public school administrator in Cache Valley before becoming a professor at USU in 1963. In 1969, he was appointed Dean of the College of Education, retiring in 1992.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |title=New temple presidents |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1993/6/26/23258235/new-temple-presidents-185 |newspaper=Deseret News: Church News Archives |location=Salt Lake City |date=1993 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |title=USU Dean is 1st to Join Educators Hall of Fame |url=https://www.deseret.com/1990/5/11/18861133/usu-dean-is-1st-to-join-educators-hall-of-fame |newspaper=Deseret News: Church News Archives |location=Salt Lake City |date=1990 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering College of Education Dean, Oral Ballam (1967-1992) |url=https://cehs.usu.edu/news/2016/oral-ballam |publisher=Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |date=2016 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref>
Ballam is also descended from J. W. Summerhays, the patriarch of a musical dynasty in the Utah region and a singer himself. Summerhays emigrated from Europe as an LDS convert in 1866.<ref name=Stowe /><ref>{{cite news |last=Stowe |first=Dorothy |title=Summerhays: A Pioneer Legacy |url=https://www.deseret.com/1995/7/23/19183910/summerhays-a-pioneer-legacy |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=1995 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref>
Michael's daughter, Vanessa, is a performer,<ref>{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Robert |title=Review: 'Les Miserables' leads standout Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre lineup |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?itype=CMSID&id=58243427 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |location=Salt Lake City |date=2014 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dunham |first=Mike |title=Hilarious choreography makes for entertaining 'Pirates' |url=https://www.adn.com/voices/article/hilarious-choreography-makes-entertaining-pirates/2013/04/06/ |newspaper=Anchorage Daily News |publisher=Alaska Dispatch |date=2013 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> stage director,<ref>{{cite news |last=Neeley |first=Kate |title=Utah Festival Opera's The Magic Flute is Nothing Short of Enchanting |url=https://frontrowreviewersutah.com/?p=17678 |newspaper=Front Row Reviewers |location=Ogden, Utah |date=2022 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Little |first=Jill |title=Utah State Theatre Brings Family-Friendly 'Seussical the Musical' to USU |url=https://www.usu.edu/today/story/utah-state-theatre-brings-family-friendly-seussical-the-musical-to-usu |newspaper=Utah State Today |publisher=Utah State University |location=Logan, Utah |date=2010 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> and former Miss Utah.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bluemlein |first=Ann |title=Miss Utah title comes to Cache queen |url=https://www.hjnews.com/miss-utah-title-comes-to-cache-queen/article_c536b722-050c-553c-995b-46af96f75d23.html |newspaper=The Herald Journal |date=1999 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> She is also a theatre professor at Idaho State University<ref>{{cite news |last=Rushdi |first=Farid |title=ISU now home to stage performer: Former Miss Utah, husband fall in love with university |url=https://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/isu-now-home-to-stage-performer-former-miss-utah-husband-fall-in-love-with-university/article_d76be77a-12db-11e3-862b-0019bb2963f4.html |newspaper=Idaho State Journal |location=Pocatello, Idaho |date=2013 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> and education director for Utah Festival Opera.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |title=Staff Directory: Utah Festival Administrative Staff |url=https://utahfestival.org/staff-directory/ |website=Utah Festival Opera |location=Logan, Utah |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> Michael's son, Benjamin, whose mobility is affected by spina bifida,<ref>{{cite speech |title=Becometh As a Child |last=Maxwell |first=Neal A. |author-link=Neal A. Maxwell |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/becometh-as-a-child?lang=eng |event=General Conference |location=Salt Lake City |date=1996 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Breton |first=Ann |title='Life-altering' birth defects topic at U. |url=https://www.deseret.com/2007/1/21/19997366/life-altering-birth-defects-topic-at-u |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=2007 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> has appeared in some Utah Festival productions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Robert |title=UFO rolls a winner on opening day |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=10105904&itype=storyID&keyword=&qtype= |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=2010 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schill |first=Charlie |title=UFOMT artists let their hair down at Late Night Cabaret |url=https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/archive/2021/07/16/ufomt-artists-let-their-hair-down-at-late-night-cabaret/#.YuyHVXbMJD8 |newspaper=Cache Valley Daily |date=2021 |access-date=August 4, 2022}}</ref> Michael Ballam has four other children with his wife, Laurie. He currently resides in Logan, Utah.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.michaelballam.com Michael Ballam's official webpage] * [http://www.ufoc.org/index.php?p_resource=about_ballam UFOC's Bio of Michael Ballam]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballam, Michael}} Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:American leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Category:Indiana University Bloomington alumni Category:Singers from Utah Category:People from Logan, Utah Category:People from Cache County, Utah Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Utah State University faculty Category:American Mormon missionaries Category:21st-century Mormon missionaries Category:21st-century American opera singers Category:Latter Day Saints from Utah Category:Music Academy of the West alumni Category:Music Academy of the West faculty