'The Voice's' Manny Cabo inspires at Linden Career Day

• Manny Cabo believes in pursuing a passion and brought that message to Linden School No. 8 students
• Cabo got a four-chair turn at his Blind Audition for "The Voice." He joined Team Adam.
• Cabo often performs with Linden art teacher/guitarist Mark Kohut.

LINDEN - After a four-chair turn during his Blind Audition on this season's "The Voice," Manny Cabo knows what believing in a dream truly means.

He took that message to fifth-grade students at Linden School No. 8 and encouraged them to find a passion and never give up on it. Cabo joined about 25 other representatives of professions such police, fire, sports coach, athlete, lawyer, DJ, hair stylist and personal trainer at the elementary school's Career Day, scheduled as part of a celebration of American Education Week, said Principal Jennifer Smith.

"All the students got exposed to different careers," she said. "We mixed it up with different experiences."

"I like to do things I love," said Cabo, who was eliminated during a Battle Round with Irish musician Keith Semple. "And I love that I am allowed to do something I love daily. I want to keep working. Keep singing and keep bettering myself."

Once the students realized who Cabo was, many announced that they saw his performances on the reality show. Though his journey was cut short, Cabo said that he treasures every moment he spent on "The Voice" — almost 11 months' worth. Cabo's rendition of Whitesnake's '80s classic "Here I Go Again" first caught the four coaches' attention during the Blind Auditions. Immediately, Adam Levine was lit up and pressed his buzzer, singing along with the 45-year-old. Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani all turned in time to witness Cabo's falsetto finale. By that time, Levine, whom Cabo eventually chose as his coach, was on his chair giving the rocker a standing ovation.

"To be honest, I couldn't even see any of that," he said. "You walk out there and you can hear a pin drop. There is no noise, no cheering. Then, I was so focused on what I was doing, I didn't even see that they turned around until it was over and the lights came up."

During his time at Linden School No. 8, Cabo visited four classrooms for the morning session of the daylong program. Not only did the students view his Blind Audition video and participate in a question-and-answer session, but Cabo and fellow bandmate Mark Kohut, also the school's art teacher, treated them to an impromptu version of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead of Alive." The students, many of whom said they also play a musical instrument, further bonded with the likable Cabo when he had them join in on the "wanted" part of the chorus.

Cabo, the father of 9-year-old Nadia, easily connected to the students. Cabo hoped to inspire them as he did with many of "The Voice" contestants, many much younger than him. He stressed that the students — regardless of their passion — should "study how to become good at it," "study the greats" and "be the best you can be."

"My advice is that it doesn't matter what people think about you," he said. "If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything. Listen to your teachers, they will guide you. And once you find your passion, put blinders on and focus. You will be successful, and along the way, you will find people that will help you."

"I try to teach my daughter the same thing. Do something positive," Cabo added. "I think I'm proudest of the time I spent on 'The Voice' motivating the other contestants, the younger ones. Kids listen to me. I wanted them to focus on enjoying the journey and living in the moment. I was there for other reasons than singing."

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Together, Cabo, who is from Elizabeth, and Kohut, a city native, have played in the band UltraFuze. Most recently, Kohut plays guitar with Cabo as a solo artist. On Dec. 5, the two will join Amanda Ayala, also from Season 9 of "The Voice," at the Old Mogul Theatre in Montclair. While the musicians often sing a repertoire of covers, Cabo intends to debut original tunes from his "North of Nash" project, something he has been working on for several years.

It was Kohut who brougth Cabo to the school for Career Day. Introducing the musician, Kohut said he is proud of his friend and his achievements, but most of all that he "follows his passions." Kohut, who is also an author, spoke of his own artistic endeavors and encouraged the children to find what speaks to them and hold onto it.

"The Linden school district is a leader in the arts," Kohut said. "I have been here my whole life and I am an artist. For them to be open-minded and bring in a contemporary rock-and-roll singer for a day like this really speaks for the department."

Cabo had been performing professionally as a musician for 15 years before he decided to take a chance on "The Voice."

"I was ready for something different," he said. "I had the drive and the passion that it takes to be a musician — to learn an instrument, play late at night, travel far, sometimes four hours a way, to do a show. But, I decided to go on TV to prove to myself that I can do this. I did the best I could and was seen by 14 million people around the world. I made it to the show with 49 other contestants out of 46,000 singers who auditioned for the show. It was very humbling."

The students cracked up Cabo when he had them guess his age. Running the gamut from 30 to 50, the guesses stopped when Cabo revealed he is 45. One yelled out "That's my dad's age!"

"That was one of the reasons why I wanted to be on 'The Voice' too," he said. "Most of the people on the show are not my age. I wanted to show that I'm not too old. I got a lot of emails that said I inspired people who loved music to pick up their instruments again. Because of me, people who haven't played in years are playing again and now inspiring their children."

Aileen Castro, 10, a student in Richard Mariano's class, thought it was "a good idea" that she and her classmates "got to meet a talented musician."

"We got to hear him sing and learn about his history," she said. "I kind of want to be an actress, to be on TV and maybe be a singer. He had a lot of good advice for me. He was really good."

A fan of "The Voice," fifth-grade teacher Sophia Halkias welcomed the musician's input into her classroom.

"He was really inspiring to me as a teacher," Halkias said. "To see the faces of my students light up, though … that was inspiring. I am honored to have him speak to them."

A former athlete, Cabo, who is also a fashion photographer, does not believe in competition. Rather, he told the students to strive the always do their best — whether it be their passion or as a student.

"Prepare yourself in the best possible way," he said. "Learn. Study. Just like in school. One day, when I was in school, a lightbulb went off. I was not the greatest student. I realized that the more I paid attention in class, the easier it all got. Then, I succeeded and now can spend my days doing what I love. I got to be on 'The Voice.'"

For tickets to the Montclair performance, go to newyorkcity.eventful.com and put "Manny Cabo" in the search. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $50 for general admission plus VIP private performance.

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@mycentraljersey.com