My life story is a simple one. I was a kid raised by a very musical dad, but I didn’t want to sing aloud and would only sing quietly to myself.
I began taking piano lessons and was a natural at sight-reading. Towards middle school, I stopped taking lessons as I decided I wanted to do basketball. Once it was clear I would never be an athlete, I decided to give music another try by taking guitar lessons. That lasted maybe a month. Turns out, I’m not really into taking lessons.
Throughout these years, I had participated in the elementary and middle school choirs. I hid my tall self in the back and sang out loud and clear. Though I was terrified of being on stage, my love for singing overpowered and kept me standing among the other members of the choir.
As high school came, so did the drama. I found myself alone in my room most of the time, teaching myself songs on piano or guitar. I skipped some classes to go hang out in the music teacher’s classroom and helped her sort sheet music. The more I distanced myself from trouble, the more I was drawn to music. I soon became very comfortable playing and singing for myself, and I slowly started to sing out a little louder in choirs and ensembles.
As senior year approached, the music groups had decreased in size and the music director started to ask more of me. I was offered more solos and would sometimes help direct certain parts of the songs we’d sing. At the end of senior year, I had a break out moment where I truly belted it out in our final concert when I sang the solo in “Lean on Me”. After that performance, something clicked inside of me and from then on, I’ve loved every minute of performing.
For college, I attended John Tyler Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Music Performance. During that time, I joined and then later led and directed an a cappella group known as The Freeways. We sang upbeat covers and did various performances for the school and other events. My last year there, I wrote an arrangement of “Seven Nation Army” that we performed at that year’s Fool for Art Festival. I also was given a spotlight performance at that festival where I was able to perform six songs on my own. In 2017, I graduated with my Associate’s Degree and was selected to perform the National Anthem for graduation. I given special VIP seating on stage and walked out among the President and Administrator of John Tyler.
Since graduating, I have worked as Scheduling Administrator for a local Music School in Richmond, Va. As a musician with a love of performing and not teaching, I feel this is the perfect position for me as I am surrounded by highly skilled musicians, who have now become my friends. I’m able to work this job and continue performing as opportunities present themselves.
My usual performances will include Open Mics, Farmer’s Markets, and various Restaurants or Stores. I only perform covers as my original songs are few and not perfected in any way. My genres will range to fit the groups I’m performing for. I do take certain requests occasionally.