Get to know me

What activities are you currently involved in?

I’m currently involved in my school’s fall musical, spring play, jazz band, jazz choir, band, choir, solo/ensemble contest, individual speech, large group speech, and National Honor Society.

How did you become interested in music?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been interested in music. I’m told that before I was even two, I would crawl over to the CD player and sing along with Glee, or sit and try to play the piano to Elton John.

What, or who, inspired you musically and why?

My experience as Belle in my middle school’s production of Beauty and the Beast is what inspired me to improve myself musically. This production is how I found what I’m so passionate about and love the most, which is performing. I found my home, the stage, and became so inspired to perform music to a higher and more professional degree.

What are your musical goals for your remaining years in high school?

The two biggest goals I have for the rest of my high school career are to make the Triple Threat Program in the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards and to make the Iowa All-State Choir.

What is the most challenging part for you when it comes to performing?

The biggest challenge for me when it comes to performing is the audience's reaction. It’s sometimes hard for me because everyone has such big expectations, and I always feel the need to perform at 100% for them, but that’s just not the reality of performance. Learning to be okay even when I have an off day and be proud and confident regardless of what anyone says is so hard, but so important.

Do you come from a musical family? If so, in what ways?

I do come from a musical family, in particular my mother’s side of the family. My mom loves to play the piano, sing, and act, all of which she passed down to me. Most of my close family members sing to some degree, and I inherited my grandpa’s saxophone playing skills.

Will music be a part of your life in 25 years? If so, how?

Music will absolutely be in my life in 25 years. I hope to be performing musical theatre or opera professionally and participating in community bands. In addition, I’d also like to be a vocal coach to share my passion for music with others.

What are your plans after high school?

After high school, I plan to attend a college in a big city where I’d like to double major in musical theatre/vocal performance and library sciences. From there, I would like to move to New York City to perform theatre professionally.

Who do you look up to and why?

I really look up to Lucy Diggerson. She is a young opera singer, and I find this so motivating to me as someone who is interested in pursuing a career in opera, which is often thought of as an “old person thing”. I love listening to her and aspire to be like her in the future. Her voice is just so beautiful, and I love to see young people thriving in the classical industry because you don’t often see that.

You have 2 tickets to go to anywhere in the world. Where would you go? Who would you take with you? Why? If I had two tickets to go anywhere in the world, I’d go to Italy with my mom. I’ve always wanted to visit Italy because I hear the food is amazing and it's just so beautiful; it would also be really fun to watch live opera in what is essentially its birthplace. I would take my mom with me because she is in desperate need of a break after dealing with all my extra-curricular activites and crazy schedule for years.