The 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 Madison Russell will celebrate her 21st birthday by performing with the American Pops Orchestra on April 10 in Washington, D.C.
The junior vocal performance major considers the chance to sing with an internationally known orchestra an early present.
It小蝌蚪APP檚 a gift she小蝌蚪APP檚 given herself.
Russell was among 10 finalists selected from a field of 30 singers who competed in the semifinals of the orchestra小蝌蚪APP檚 小蝌蚪APP淣extGen: The Voices of Tomorrow小蝌蚪APP virtual competition on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The next day, she learned how highly a panel of Broadway singers, recording artists and viewers who cast votes thought of her rendition of 小蝌蚪APP淢y White Knight.小蝌蚪APP The song is from the Broadway musical 小蝌蚪APP淭he Music Man.小蝌蚪APP
Russell, who is from Zachary, La., earned a spot in the semifinals after recording a video of herself singing a one-minute segment of 小蝌蚪APP淢y White Knight.小蝌蚪APP She sent the recording to the American Pops Orchestra in October.
On Saturday, Russell competed against students from the Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and other top schools. 小蝌蚪APP淚 feel extremely flattered because every performer in the semifinals was definitely meant to be there.
小蝌蚪APP淚 think one thing that pushed me forward is I sounded different than other competitors. As I watched, I thought, 小蝌蚪APP業f I do make it to finals, it could be because I bring a different sound to the table.小蝌蚪APP My voice has a classical color given my opera background,小蝌蚪APP she explained.
While growing up, Russell sang in school choirs and performed in musical theater. At UL Lafayette, she is a member of the School of Music and Performing Arts小蝌蚪APP and ensembles. Russell is president of the .
For her upcoming performance with the American Pops Orchestra, she小蝌蚪APP檚 looking forward to singing 小蝌蚪APP淭he White Knight小蝌蚪APP in its entirety. 小蝌蚪APP淚 didn小蝌蚪APP檛 even have a chance to sing my favorite part the first time,小蝌蚪APP she said with a laugh.
Russell is hopeful to be chosen the 小蝌蚪APP淣extGen: The Voices of Tomorrow小蝌蚪APP winner or the female runner-up. A male runner-up will also be selected. The trio will earn scholarships, a paid performance with American Pops Orchestra and chances to boost their singing careers.
小蝌蚪APP淔inalists are placed on a contact list as potential singers for when the orchestra is planning shows, and I小蝌蚪APP檓 happy that now they know what my voice sounds like,小蝌蚪APP she said.
Learn more about Russell and the American Pops Orchestra小蝌蚪APP檚 .
Photo caption: UL Lafayette vocal performance major Madison Russell is among 10 college singers who were selected on Saturday to compete in the finals of the American Pops Orchestra小蝌蚪APP檚 小蝌蚪APP淣extGen: The Voices of Tomorrow小蝌蚪APP contest. The event will be held on April 10, in Washington, D.C. Submitted photo