With classical training and a flair for uplifting and soulful ballads, Josh Groban has just begun a successful career that has already won him several awards and legions of fans at the tender age of twenty-five.

Although the Los Angeles native made his music debut in the seventh grade, Groban did not begin to focus seriously on his music until 1997 when he enrolled in the Interlochen Arts program in Michigan. The next year, at 17, Groban was introduced to award-winning producer David Foster. The meeting soon put Groban on a larger stage, as he became a rehearsal singer for several events, including the Grammy awards.

Groban was next accepted to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh; however, his education was temporarily set aside when Warner Brothers offered the singer a recording contract. His debut included “For Always” on the “AI: Artificial Intelligence” soundtrack.

Released November 20, 2001, Groban’s debut album, “Josh Groban,” focused on his strength in the classics and included such hits as “You’re Still You,” “Alla Luce del Sole,” and “The Prayer.” The album reached double-platinum and elevated Groban to star status. In 2002, he was given his own PBS special, “Josh Groban in Concert.” Groban next joined myriad of music stars including The Corrs, Ronan Keating, and Sting for a holiday special at the Vatican.

Although the sale of Josh Groban concert tickets was beginning to increase with his ever-growing popularity, the singer’s next album only enlarged his fan base. “Closer,” released November 11, 2003, reached the number one spot on the Billboard charts with such hits as “You Raise Me Up” and “Never Let Go.”

The next year, 2004, Groban was awarded Favorite Male Artist in the pop category of the American Music Awards. He was also nominated for various other awards including a World Music Award, Academy Award, and a Grammy. In only the early stage of his career, Josh Groban will no doubt continue to be a rising star in the music industry for many years to come.