Lindsay's Story

 

I vividly remember sitting against my bed while writing in a pink journal when I was 13-years-old. Dreamy eyed and smiling, I flooded the pages with thoughts of a performance-filled future. It was the day of my first real solo performance. I was terrified beforehand but when I got on the stage, I quickly became comfortable and was felt the satisfaction of engaging with an audience.

 

The more I performed the clearer it became that while I was just one small girl, I could still make a difference with what I had to give. I joyfully discovered the power music has to evoke emotions, spark the imagination and bring people together... I believe that a mutual connection between audience and artist(s) is the essence of a successful performance; in a one-dimensional show, I find no depth can be shared and the dynamic musicality is more easily overlooked.

 

Riding on this discovery, I faithfully committed to voice and piano lessons. While I was classically trained and had a repertoire consisting of mainly Italian Arias and Arts Songs, I tried to take risks by singing in a wide variety of settings. I got a lead role in a musical at my high school, I competed as a soloist, I sang in choirs, in talent shows, in recitals, in a cappella groups, at football and baseball games, at convalescent homes, at weddings, at funerals, in churches, in hospitals and even in Broadway show groups.

As my training became more rigorous and advanced, I put more pressure on myself to master every minute technique I saw and heard. Eventually, my over-thinking made my voice tense and strained thrusting me into utter burnout, leaving me practically paralyzed.

 

There was a night when, after a frustrating and eventually tearful attempt to practice singing, I slouched at the piano, not ever wanting to open my mouth again. I was stuck. I stared at the black and white piano keys and wondered if I would ever see my dreams come true. Where had that happy, easy singing voice gone? Where was that pure, confident joy in performing that my 13-year-old self had known?

Finally, I had to sweep the sheet music away and allow my soul its longed-for freedom. All of the inspiring sounds I had soaked in throughout my life collided and something uniquely my own began to take shape.

 

Somehow I found a melody and chords, and I quickly found post-its to jot it all down. More songs came out of me and kept flowing within a short period of time—almost without conscious control. As I shed the tight restraints, my personality could come alive again.

 

From Italy to California, I have searched, written, explored and discovered. Along this path, I have learned how much work dream-chasing actually takes. In uncovering the music within me, formed by a collection of varying sounds and styles that I love, I have gained a desire to bridge the gaps between genres. I hope that listeners feel my songs are a refreshing balance between what is familiar and what is intriguing.

 

Now, after waiting, working, and proving to myself that my goals can be realized—I give to you my culmination, my dream, my passion, my tribute to that moment when I played from my heart and found the magic in music again.