Photo Flash: Shuler Hensley Speaks at Manhattan School of Music's 2014 Commencement

Manhattan School of Music held its 88th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2014 at The Riverside Church (located at 490 Riverside Drive, New York City). This year, degrees were awarded to 357 graduates from the School's graduate and under­graduate programs who come from 46 states and more than 40 countries. Tony winner Shuler Hensley delivered the commencement address. Scroll down for a photo!

Shuler Hensley, BM '90, most recently performed Tony in Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fellow for the New York City Center Encores! series, as well as starring on Broadway in No Man's Land/Waiting for Godot in rep with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan.

He has appeared on Broadway as The Monster in Young Frankenstein, Kerchak in Tarzan, Jud Fry in Oklahoma! (also at the National and London's West End; Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Olivier Awards) and Javert in LES MISERABLES. Off Broadway in Fiorella! (Encores),Silence! The Musical, Sweet and Sad (Drama Desk Outstanding Ensemble), That Hopey Changey Thing, and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Other credits include Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, All About Us, The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (Hamburg, Germany), and The Most Happy Fella.

Opera appearances include Wozzeck (Curtis Institute of Music) and Regina (Kennedy Center). He also appeared in Carousel at Avery Fisher Hall with the New York Philharmonic, which was nationally broadcast on PBS. Other orchestras include the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and the New World Symphony Orchestra. Television includes The Americans, Ed, Deadline, Gary Powers, Law and Order SUV, Criminal Intent and The Jury. Films include After Life, The Legend of Zorro, Van Helsing, The Bread, My Sweet; and Opa! Upcoming films include Odd Thomas and Cruiser. This past year, Shuler Hensley was awarded the "Stage Performance of the Year" by New York magazine in recognition for his work in The Whale.

One of the world's leading music conservatories, Manhattan School of Music is deeply committed to excellence in education, performance, and creative activity, and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. Founded as a settlement music school by Janet Daniels Schenck in 1918, today it is recognized for its superbly talented undergraduate and graduate students who come from 44 states and more than 40 countries; a world-renowned artist-teacher faculty; and innovative curricula. The more than 800 concerts and recitals Manhattan School of Music presents each year are recognized as some of the finest musical events in New York City.

Dedicated to the personal, artistic, and intellectual development of aspiring musicians, and offering both classical and jazz training, Manhattan School of Music enrolls approximately 850 college-age students in bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. True to MSM's origins as a music school for children, our Precollege Division continues to offer superb classes to young musicians between the ages of 5 and 18.

Photo Credit: Brian Hatton