Samantha Andrew doesn’t use the words “I can’t” when it comes to the arts. The 17-year-old student dances, plays high-level piano, strums the guitar, and creates visual art. But that isn’t all, Andrew can also sing.
“I’ve been singing since I was about 4 or 5,” shrugged Andrew, “I’ve just stuck with it since.”
According to her music teacher, Clayton Braybrook of Kindersley, Andrew has done more than that. “She is a determined girl,” says Braybrook, “Whatever she has decided to do, she has done it very well.”
Braybrook has carefully watched Andrew grow as a musician since 1999. “If it’s something to do with music, she’s got it,” he beamed, “She can read music beautifully, and her clear, soaring voice is a pleasure to hear.”
In 2015, Braybrook suggested that Andrew audition for the Saskatchewan Youth Choir (SYC), a prestigious choir populated by the top 40 youth in Saskatchewan. Andrew was accepted and has been a part of the SYC ever since.
“It is a lot of work,” admitted Andrew, “I’ll have about 14 new songs to learn in a few weeks’ time, then in March we will tour several cities like Saskatoon, Rosthern, Prince Albert, and the Battlefords.”
When asked why she has kept up with singing, Andrew replied that the music does something for her, “It’s kinda like therapy for me.”
Earlier this year, the SYC director, Duff Warkentin, impressed by Andrew’s skills and talent, recommended that she audition for the National Youth Choir (NYC). As the top youth choir in Canada, the NYC only accepts 3-4 youth per province, making some stiff competition for the contestants.
Andrew auditioned by videoing herself, and then submitting the result, “It wasn’t very hard,” she smiled, “I’ve done it lots of times.” Andrew did note that she did feel some tension while auditioning, “I was like: ‘I don’t want to mess up’. I couldn’t [let myself] make a mistake.”
Andrew hasn’t heard yet of the judges’ results; but says she would be thrilled if she was accepted, “It would be awesome, to know that I’m good enough to represent SK.”
Braybrook is also excited to see Andrew’s results, “I’m very proud of her, if she gets to the NYC, and is at the right place at the right time, she could make connections to propel her upwards and onwards.”
Image Source: Picture courtesy of Samantha Andrew
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