final paper

Brittney Calabro

May 1^st, 2012

Final Paper

A Washington State University sophomore was able to put aside her stage fright and butterflies and pursue her passions in the arts.

Morgan E. Young has spent much of her life singing and playing the bass, but when it came to performing on her own, she would often let her nerves get the best of her. Young recently participated in the 2012 Homecoming talent show and blew judges and audience members away with her vocal pipes. Since her performance Young has been approached my Zoe’s Coffee House, local sororities, and other small venues, to perform at their establishments for open mike night, philanthropies, and holiday parties. Young’s performance has opened doors for her and given her the opportunity to peruse her dreams of becoming a vocal artist.

“My first memory of singing was when I competed in a county talent show in Battle Ground, Washington when I was seven or eight,” Young said. “From there, I started voice lessons.”

Young said she learned many valuable lessons from her voice teacher, such as breathing techniques she still uses today. And while she never joined a school choir, she continued to sing on her own.

Young’s close friend Katelyn Smrecansky, whom she has known for 11 years, recalls when she and Young would put on “shows” for their parents where they would sing, dance and dress up. Smrecansky said that Young’s confidence makes her an outstanding performer.

However, Young took a long break from performing in front of people. Up until this year, she had not sang in front of a large group since her fourth grade talent show at Cascade Ridge Elementary School where she sang “In My Own Little Corner” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

“I work myself up and get nervous,” Young said about performing in front of people. “I always think I’ll forget the words.”

On the contrary, this last year has been very successful in pursuing Young’s talents. Young performed both at her sorority on Preference Day during recruitment and at this year’s Homecoming talent show. Smrecansky said that Young performed the Lady GaGa song “Poker Face” at the talent show and “rocked it.”

Another close friend and sorority sister of Young, Kayla Bates, described having the privilege of hearing a song she wrote and recorded called “Goodbye” about Young’s dog that died a few years ago. It is not surprise to her sorority sisters that Young has talent, but they want Young to share her gift with the community and world. Young plans on signing up for vocal classes over summer to improve her skill and sign up for local talent competitions. I am currently writing a song that I wil l perform at our philanthropy this fall, said Young.

“Morgan is a very artistic person and music is a way for her to show that,” Bates said. Young said she appreciates the encouragement she receives from her friends.

“Once someone finds something out about you, they will pressure and rope you into it,” Young said. “But I like when they do that. It forces me to break out of my shell into doing things I probably wouldn’t.”

Smrecansky said that Young is “a little shy about singing but when she’s encouraged by myself and our other friends she can really belt out a song.”

Kayla Mclain who performed alongside Young during the talent show, said that she encouraged Young to sing for both the talent competition and Preference Day. “She gets stage fright … but with a little pushing and encouragement she will do it.”

Young’s friends are able to see how singing and performing have shaped her into the person they know and love today.

“Morgan is an outgoing, confident girl with an amazing voice … Not many are as talented as she” Smrecansky praised. Who knew in a small city like Pullman in Eastern Washington we have a superstar on the rise.

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Sources

Morgan Young

Cell: (425) 830-5784

Kayla Mclain

Cell: (425) 281-1160

Kayla Bates

Cell: (425)273-3037

Katelyn Smrecansky

Cell: (425) 736-5823

Outline

I.      A Washington State University sophomore was able to put aside her stage fright and butterflies and pursue her passions in the arts.

II.    Young’s singing history and chilhood talent

I.      Country talent show during gradeschool

II.    theatrecal performances including school plays

III.  Introduction of childhood and college friends, and her experiences and opinion on Youngs passion for singing.

I.      Katelyn Smrecansky

I.      “Youngs confidence on stage makes her a talented performer”

II.    “Young performed the Lady GaGa song “Poker Face” at the talent show and “rocked it.”

II.    Kayla Bates

I.      Sorority sister

II.    Saw her perform her own song “goodbye” about her dog, and knew she had a gift.

III.  Kayla Mclain           

I.      Persuaded Young to sing the duet alongside her in the Homecoming talent show.