Age: 28

Hometown: Waldorf, Md., but graduated from Boston University's Opera Institute in May, after obtaining a Master of Music from Boston University in 2014.

Think of: “My style is of the new school of the acting singer. I’ve been trying to adopt that since the environment for opera is leaning toward having equal parts singing and acting. I like to think that I’m becoming part of the new age of opera, but still keeping some of the old age standards of singing and technique.’’

What caught our eye: Taylor, a baritone, is slated to take on the role of Marcello in Puccini’s “La Bohème’’ during the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado on June 19 and 22.

Light-bulb moment: After graduating from McDonough High School in Pomfret, Md., Taylor followed his voice teacher to Italy for an opera workshop where he honed his craft. During the performances of two arias, “Cortigiani’’ from “Rigoletto’’ and “Senza Mamma’’ from “Suor Angelica,’’ Taylor was so moved that he had to excuse himself to regain composure. “Having those two visceral moments for me, I was like, I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to tell stories in such a moving way that it will make someone lose control of themselves or be transported somewhere,’’ Taylor said. “I think that was a major turning point for me.’’

Biggest thrill: Two things stick out, both involving working with what Taylor hopes will be the next generation of opera singers. Taylor was invited to partake in outreach programs with Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Rhode Island Symphony, and he was inspired by the students’ reactions after giving performances of “The Barber of Seville’’ and Escamillo’s aria from “Carmen,’’ respectively. “[In Providence], there was thunderous applause, and talking to the kids afterward, and just the curiosity that they had, it kind of sparked the creative thoughts that sometimes get lost when you’re working toward a goal,’’ Taylor said. “You kind of forget what brought you there in the first place, and having that was a great reminder of why I do this and why I spend so much time trying to perfect this.’’

Inspired by: “Seeing my peers do well, and seeing the camaraderie in this business,’’ Taylor said. “It helps me be a better person and be centered, because the business is pretty tough.’’

Aspires to: “Short-term and long-term, it’s just for me to be a better singer and performer. In [the] short-term, it’s to learn a new language,’’ Taylor said. “I’m doing a show and singing in Russian, and I want to get better at Russian because I love the music. I guess that and hopefully take a vacation by the fall — before the fall.’’

For good luck: “I usually have green tea before a performance, and if I feel particularly antsy, I’ll run up and down the stairs a couple of times, just to kind of loosen up. And then I’ll just be as goofy as possible, just so I can kind of relax. Usually I’m trying to crack jokes, or at BU, I would always run up the stairs and do some cartwheels.’’

Coming soon: After the Crested Butte Festival, Taylor will return to Massachusetts to perform the role of Yamadori in “Madama Butterfly’’ at the Berkshire Opera Festival at the end of August. He plans to announce his fall schedule on his website.

Link: www.benjaminctaylor.com

Emily Wright