Strains of commencement music have faded, but applause continues for DuPage County high school grads who’ve found fame. Here are just a few of the arts-smart celebs, their schools and graduation years.
– Downers Grove North, Downers Grove: Sherrill Milnes, ’52, Metropolitan Opera baritone; Andrea Evans, ’74, actress whose resume includes “The Young and the Restless.”
– Fenton, Bensenville: William Powers, ’59, bass-baritone opera star; Rick Snyder, ’69, member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble.
– Glenbard North, Carol Stream: Billy Corgan, ’85, lead singer with the Smashing Pumpkins.
– Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn: Marcus Lovett, ’82, Broadway cast member in “Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miserables.”
– Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn: Laurie Anderson, ’65, performance artist, author and recording star.
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– Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale: Jim Aylesworth, ’61, children’s book author, lecturer and teacher; Brian Torff, ’72, internationally known bassist, composer and teacher.
– Hinsdale South, Darien: Barbara Woods, ’80, cast member of TV sitcom “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
– Lake Park, Roselle: Wayne Beach, ’75, screenwriter whose “Murder at 1600” was released last year.
– Lisle High, Lisle: Lester Lewis, ’85, executive producer of TV sitcom “Caroline in the City.”
– Naperville Central, Naperville: George Goetschel, ’73, poet, composer and musician whose latest CD is “21 in the Moment”; Paula Zahn, ’74, CBS news anchorwoman.
– Waubonsie Valley, Aurora: Paul Konrad, ’83, three-time Emmy winner, currently on WGN-TV’s morning news.
– Wheaton North, Wheaton: Melinda Prince, ’88, a soprano currently on tour as Christine in “Phantom of the Opera.”
– Willowbrook, Villa Park: Robert Falls, ’72, Goodman Theatre artistic director since 1986; Cathy Cook, ’81, soprano, Lyric Opera and Metropolitan Opera productions.
– York, Elmhurst: Gary Rydstrom, ’77, five-time Oscar winner for sound engineering, most recently for “Titanic.”