WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-National Gig for Rutland Singer
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Rutland, Vermont - March 12, 2009
Kayla Perry's taste in music is from a different generation. Etta James, Billie Holiday, and the Beatles are some of this 17 year old's favorites, but next week, she starts rehearsing an even older song: the national anthem. Perry says, "It's such a nice melody, but I'm going to put a little of myself in there."
Perry just learned she was chosen to sing the national anthem at the upcoming SkillsUSA conference in Kansas City, Missouri. It draws technical educators, students, and workforce professionals from all over the country. It should mean an audience of 10,000 people. Perry says, "I know it's a lot of people, but I'm excited to perform for them. It's going to be awesome."
The singer splits her days between Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon and the Stafford Technical Center in Rutland, where she specializes in performing. Staff at that school encouraged her to send judges for this national tech ed conference an audition CD. Perry plans to work with her music teacher for practice. Bill Comstock says their sessions will be about "making sure her pitch is as good as it possibly can be, and making sure she's totally confident in what she's doing."
Kayla's national anthem gig is not until June, but she's already hopeful she can be a Broadway performer. Perry says, "If I didn't sing I don't know what I would do. I just love it that much!"
Whatever's next for Kayla Perry, her upcoming performance is certainly a big step towards stardom.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News
