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A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Bailey Leonard

A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Bailey Leonard

Bailey Leonard, a student at Willowcreek Middle School, has liked to listen and sing along with music since she was little. Leonard auditioned for and was selected to sing as an alto as a part of the Middle School Honors Junior Choir. As a part of the Middle School Honors Performance Series, Leonard will join other top performers from around the country at Carnegie Hall in New York with a performance on June 17.

“I was in the kitchen when my mom read the email out to me, and it was like pure shock at first," said Leonard. “I felt really excited because it is a once in a lifetime experience.”

Leonard has been in choir since the third grade. Her choir teacher, Natalie Franks, has been a big inspiration for her during her singing journey. She helped Leonard with the audition process for the performance series.

“She has really helped me improve throughout the past three years, and she's probably the biggest reason that I'm actually going to the performance series,” said Leonard.

The choir community is big, hardworking and supportive, which is why Leonard likes it.

“It is very big and very supportive,” said Leonard. “Everyone just works extremely hard.”

Another inspiration for Leonard is Queen’s Freddie Mercury.

“I’m really inspired by Freddie Mercury’s story and his amazing vocals," said Leonard. “It is amazing how a person can do that.”

Leonard likes to listen to classic rock like Mercury’s Queen. When Leonard was little, she liked to listen to music and sing along in the car. She also likes getting to perform.

“I like the experience of singing and getting to have other people hear me,” said Leonard. “A lot of the time, the music makes me feel good.”

Not only is Leonard an amazing performer, but she likes to sing all the time.

“I sing all the time in the shower, car, or my bedroom,” said Leonard. “Most of the time, it's late at night, which really annoys my little sister because she can hear me through the walls.”

Music also runs in Leonard’s family. Her mother was in choir, and her dad was in band in high school. Additionally, Leonard's sister is going to be in choir next year.

“I'm really excited that she is going to be in choir next year because she's gonna have the same teacher that I had,” said Leonard. “It is something we can bond over.”

Outside of singing, Leonard likes to paint and draw. She has been drawing and painting longer than she has been singing. Leonard also enjoys acting, and she has been in the drama club.

“It is just really fun,” said Leonard. “It's nice to get out of yourself and pretend to be someone else for a little while.”

Leonard will be in New York City for the Middle School Honors Performance Series that takes place June 14 through June 18.

“I really appreciate that I am going to get this experience,” said Leonard. “I've never done anything like this in my whole life. I'm kind of scared, but I'm also really excited about it.”