Crossword Genius

A singer graduates in this way (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

basso

'a singer' is the definition.
(basso is a kind of singer)

'graduates in this way' is the wordplay.
'graduates' becomes 'bas' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in this way' becomes 'so'.
'bas'+'so'='BASSO'

(Other definitions for basso that I've seen before include "Singer" , "low voice" , "one's deep in sound" , "Lowest male singing voice (sometimes 'profundo')" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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