A Singer’s Journey to Fame
GET STARTEDI’m two years old. My favorite Disney movie is playing on the TV as I sit watching in my living room. Suddenly I get up and, in my best attempt, start singing along to the movie’s title song. My mom pulls out the camcorder and films my first time singing.
I’m seven years old. It’s my first day of voice lessons. I’m nervous that my vocal coach won’t think I’m any good. He has me sing a song while he plays the piano. I do my best. He smiles — “You’ve definitely got something.” He has me perform in my music school’s recital. I’ve never heard that much applause for my singing — I love it.
I’m 14. I sign up for my high school’s spring musical and ace the audition, but I get cast in the ensemble and feel heartbroken. That afternoon during my lesson, I tell my vocal coach how discouraged I feel. “Don’t give up. You’ve got a long road ahead of you, and you’re going to get there one day.”
I’m 17. I’ve worked with my coach and landed the leading roles in my high school’s productions for the past three years. It’s the final curtain call for my senior musical. I cry because it’s over, but I’m happy because I know there’ so much ahead of me.
I’m 22. I’ve studied the past four years as a theater major and still work with my vocal coach every time I’m in a production. It’s graduation and my coach sends me a card. “Don’t give up. You’ve got a long road ahead of you, and you’re going to get there one day.”
I’m 27. I’ve been trying to make it on Broadway for the past few years. I’ve taken a bunch of different roles, some big, some small. I can’t count the hours I’ve spent working on audition pieces with my vocal coach, but I know someday it’s going to be worth it. He suggests I audition for a new show being produced for the first time.
I’m 29. I’m standing on the stage at Radio City Music Hall, accepting a Tony Award for “Best Actress in a Musical”. As I close out my speech, I say to the audience, through tears, “You know, for the past 22 years, my vocal coach has told me ‘Don’t give up. You’ve got a long road ahead of you, and you’re going to get there one day.’ Well — wow — I got there.”
At Grace Music School, we work with our students to help them achieve their musical goals and tailor our lessons to meet each student’s individual needs. For more information or to schedule music or vocal lessons, call us at 631-239-6169 (Fort Salonga) or 631-470-9705 (Melville).