DOMINIC Moccia has always loved to sing – and to play rugby.
But when a wrist injury saw off any serious ideas he might have had about pursuing his talent for rugby, the world of music became his number one passion.
And how that has paid off, not just for this engaging young singer and actor but for many of the town’s operatic societies.
He’s much in demand these days with a raft of groups across the town and is seen as an exciting prospect for the future.
Not that you’d know it from talking to Dominic. He’s a remarkably modest and mature 21 and is quick to flag up those who have supported him in his ambitions either in rugby or in musicals.
His grandfather Stan Moccia, as a former rugby player with teams such as Hunslet and Halifax, was his inspiration to play sport, while his grandmother, Min Moyser has nurtured his passion for musicals.
“My gran has always supported me and comes to every show I do. I used to watch musicals on film and tv with my gran and when she took me to see a big touring production of Phantom of the Opera in Bradford, I was blown away,” he said.
As to performing on stage himself: “It’s the buzz, the atmosphere among the audience. I couldn’t ask to be doing anything better.”
Dominic is finding plenty of role models among the companies he works with in Huddersfield. He’s played for Longwood Amateurs, for Spot On Musical Theatre at Moldgreen, for Marsden Amateurs and for the Huddersfield Light Opera Company.
“It’s a great hobby to have and I want to pass my passion for musical theatre on to others. I’ve met more friends than I thought possible through doing these shows.”
He’s back with the Light Opera Company in the New Year and is delighted to be playing Abanazar in Aladdin, which promises to be another family-fun packed production at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.
The show opens on January 9 and runs for a week with evening (7.15pm) and Saturday matinee performances (2.15pm). There are two performances on Sunday January 10 at 1pm and 5pm.
There is no public performance on January 12 when stars from Huddersfield Giants join the cast for their now annual pre-season warm-up! There can’t be many more rugby league clubs whose players turn out to entertain their fans on stage in a local panto. But the Giants do.
They perhaps share the thrill of stage performances that Dominic and many more of his generation are now discovering.
Dominic’s family home is in Brockholes where he lives with his mum and with sisters Lauren, 19, Elle, 7, and brother Sebastian, 6.
He went to schools in Berry Brow, Newsome and Honley High before heading for New College.
Dominic started dancing when he was eight and when he was nine, his mum entered him for a karaoke competition. He came second!
A school show about music from different decades put him back in the spotlight and swiftly earned him the nickname “Elvis” from his mates.
When dance teacher and choreographer Pam Strickland was looking for talented youngsters to play the opposing gang members in a Light Opera Company production of West Side Story, Dominic’s name was swiftly on the list.
“We were playing these two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. There were some real characters in the group. From beginning to end of rehearsals we just laughed. It was great fun.”
So when Dominic broke a wrist playing rugby, the sport he loves, and was told another injury could be serious, he faced a tough decision.
“They said that if I broke it again I would have problems. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, giving up rugby.
“But I’ve still got the shows to be in and I can’t believe how many mates I’ve made through it. It’s like a family. We are always there for each other.”
Friends in the operatic world were certainly there for Dominic when his grandfather died in hospital in Middlesbrough as the young singer approached opening night of a musical on stage at the LBT.
“People in the company were really there for me then and I dedicated my performance to him. That’s what so great about the societies. It’s really supportive.”
This year has been particularly busy for Dominic who has played with Longwood in Calamity Jane at the LBT before taking centre stage in Moldgreen as Curly in the much-loved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma.
Alongside Dominic on stage in January will be his girlfriend Holly Comber plus many Light Opera panto favourites including Neil Broadbent as Wishee Washee, Chris Brearley as Widow Twankey and Jayne Davison in the title role of Aladdin.
It’s a hectic line-up of shows but Dominic says his theatre work fits in well with his working life.
“I’ve worked in bars for about six years and I’m currently working at Lloyds. They are very understanding about the shows.”
And yes, there may well be some of his colleagues cheering him on.
As for the future: “I would love to do professional stuff. Imagine doing something you love and getting the buzz from that work.”
And if that dream doesn’t become reality then Dominic has his sights on teaching others some of the skills that have seen him become in such demand as actor, singer and dancer.
