Finding Her Voice
Charlise went to her mom, Jennie, earlier this year and asked if she could start taking voice lessons. The twelve-year-old had grown up singing into her home karaoke system and putting on rock concerts in the shower. “Ever since she could move, she was performing at home,” Jennie said. But Charlise had never had the opportunity to be personally coached in her vocal talents.
Jennie searched for voice lessons in the area and fell upon Fairmount, attending an open house before signing up for a semester of lessons. Although excited, this was Charlise’s first time singing outside of her home, which made her a little nervous. “I only ever sang in front of my family,” she said. She soon, however, felt at home here at Fairmount, calling it “peaceful” and liking the small building and its natural surroundings.
Charlise had been rehearsing the song, “Smile”, for Fairmount’s Music Recital that took place on May 2 at the Mayfield United Methodist Church. This was her very first time performing publicly. She said she has enjoyed the process of training her voice, with her dad noting her instructor had been helpful in coaching her to find her vocal range and tone. “This is new territory for us,” says Jennie, “we were happy Charlise was able to do it because it was something she wanted to do.”
With more confidence in her skills, Charlise mentioned interest in entering a talent show at school with her group of friends. Her close-knit peers have been very influential in her creativity, creating a fictional world together they call “Fairy Secret”. They spend their recess and free time acting out the roles of detailed characters they’ve imagined taking inspiration from favorite movies and games.
Scholarship support has helped make this experience possible for Charlise. “She’s very grateful for the scholarship,” says her dad, “she knows it’s an opportunity that not a lot of people get.”
Your contribution to the Fairmount Scholarship Fund will encourage other young students like Charlise to find their voice!
Join the movement to make arts accessible to young aspiring artists in your community. And this month only, your gift will be matched 1:1 by a generous Fairmount supporter! Help launch this scholarship into success and see the wonders of creativity unfold before your eyes.
