My Story

2011

Starting Piano: 09.2011
I started playing piano in Fourth Grade. I like it because it gives me a way to record and also to release the music that I hear in my head. I close my eyes, hear a song and try to play it on the piano. It's an amazing feeling.

A New School: 08.2012
Starting in Fifth Grade my parents put me into a great private school called Wooster School. It was a great change. Everyone treats me well. I feel comfortable. The school has exposed me to the arts and new ways of thinking. I feel like I can just be me at Wooster School.

Getting the Acting Bug: 10.2012
In the Fifth Grade I started taking an acting workshop after school. It was so much fun. When I act I can be another character and just play act. Acting makes me feel happy because it's something that I'm passionate about.

Singing For Real: 08.2013
I always enjoyed singing, but in Sixth Grade I went further with my singing. In the Sixth Grade I started voice lessons. That's when I met Mrs. Valentine. She knows me. She is so caring. She knows my voice inside and out. I'm grateful to have her as my voice teacher. She has taught me so much about how to use my voice. When I sing I feel excited and in the moment.

Meeting My Senators: 10.2013
My Dad loves politics. He can watch CNN all day. So, when we visited Washington, D.C. he got us a meeting with both of our Senators. It was a thrill to meet them. They are using their talents to make new laws and change old laws. They are making a difference. I hope to make a difference too some day.

My First Standing Ovation: 05.2014
In Sixth Grade I had my first singing recital. I prepared the song "This Is The Moment" from Jekyll & Hyde. I was very nervous going into the performance. When I started singing I gained confidence. I could hear myself and I sounded good. At the end of the performance everyone stood up for me. My first standing ovation felt great. Check out my performance HERE.

The FCCC Audition: 06.2014
My piano teacher encouraged me to audition for the Fairfield County Children's Choir. They have three singing groups that you get into on your first audition. Chorus is for beginners. Chorale is for intermediate singers. Concert is for more advanced singers. I got right into their Concert group. I was amazed that they put me right into Concert. I felt really privileged and honored.

My First Lead Role: 07.2014
During the summer in-between Sixth and Seventh Grade I auditioned for a role in Annie, Jr. I auditioned with "One Song Glory" from Rent. When the director told me that I got the role of Daddy Warbucks I felt cold all over. I was in shock and I thought that I was going to faint. It was a great moment for me.

Performing in Carnegie Hall: 10.2014
After only being in Fairfield County Children's Choir for a few months, I was one of 74 kids chosen to represent them at a concert performed in Carnegie Hall. The Cross Boarder Orchestra of Ireland invited Fairfield County Children's Choir to sing at their concert, but they only needed 75 singers. It was amazing to be chosen. Carnegie Hall was huge. When I got on that stage I was nervous at first, but I got over it and the show went really well. We got four standing ovations.

The Broadway Experience: 06.2015
After the tragic shooting in Newtown, 1214 Foundation was formed to bring arts to the neighborhood kids. It's an amazing program. They bring in real Broadway stars to prepare the kids to put on Broadway-caliber shows. That year they were putting on a musical comedy called Liberty Smith and Lion King, Jr. I auditioned with "Endless Night" from Lion King. Almost 200 kids tried out. We had four callbacks before the parts were decided. It was stressful, but every time I got a callback I felt invigorated. In the end, to be given the role of Scar in The Lion King, Jr. and also to be picked to be in the ensemble of Liberty Smith was awesome. I had never been around so many people that all shared the same talents and interests as me. What a thrill!

My Big Duet: 02.2016
FCCC chose me to represent them in Carnegie Hall, but I had never gotten a solo with them. In my second year at FCCC I finally got my chance. I was chosen to sing Without Love from Hairspray with Alexandra Blitzer. I was so excited to get this opportunity to be out front and do this duet. I was determined to impress. It was an awesome experience! Check out my performance HERE.