Student 

Home:  Aldie, VA

Siblings:  
Christian ‘14, Middleburg Academy 

Activities:   
Glee, Troubadours, and Jazz Club; Varsity Cross Country; Member of Children of the Gospel (COTG), under the Washington Performing Arts Society, with performances at The White House, The Smithsonian American History Museum, The Kennedy Center, and B.E.T; Visions of Zion, church youth choir 

Performer I look up to the most:
Without a doubt, my favorite performer is Michael Jackson.  His innovation paved the way for future artists and he influenced and helped change the music industry into what it is today. I admire his creative genius, talent, work ethic, and the passion he put into both singing and dancing to create memorable performances. 

What music means to me:
Music has become a form of expression and a wonderful stress reliever in my life. I’ve found something that I can completely devote my time and energy to ... and I am continually learning and improving. Singing has also opened a window of opportunities for me and with that, a whole community of new friends.  

My favorite music to perform:
I love performing and listening to any type of music that automatically makes me move and sing out. In particular, R&B, Soul, and Gospel music evoke the most emotion in me. I find that emotion is the key to performing, so instead of mindlessly singing, I try to really communicate my feelings to the audience and that’s what gives me the most joy.  

What gives me the courage to perform when I get nervous:
Some nerves are always good, but when I really get the “jitters” I imagine that I have one chance to prove myself - so I might as well give it all I’ve got and stop worrying! Ultimately, I’m singing for God so I’ll say a quick prayer beforehand to center myself.

My most memorable/rewarding performance: 
By far my most rewarding performance was the Washington Performing Arts Society's annual performance at The Kennedy Center. After practicing several times a week for three months, it was so gratifying to have a sold-out performance and see the audience have such a great reaction to the music which we all poured our souls into.  

Why Middleburg Academy is a great place for teens to explore music: 
From my personal experience, I have been able to grow musically here because of the small school size which creates individual attention, as opposed to a larger school where students are easily overlooked. It also helps tremendously when you have a talented and enthusiastic choir director like Mrs. Morrison who encourages students! 

What I wish more people knew about Middleburg Academy:  
Besides sports and academics, I think Middleburg Academy has a lot of artistically talented students, whether that talent is in drawing, acting, singing, or playing an instrument. We also have new teachers like Mrs. Morrison who want students to reach their full potential and come out of their shells by taking more artistic chances. I would love it if more people realized how dedicated our teachers are and how many students have a huge interest in music and the arts.