[musictlk] article about me

[Sandra Gayer]

I really like the article. It gives us a clear picture of your musical journey.

Very best wishes,
Sandra.

On 6/20/15, Kelsey Nicolay via musictlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello,
> I thought everyone might enjoy this.  The following article was
> written about me in my college newspaper several years ago.  A
> friend wanted to do a story about me since it was the first time
> I'd ever sang a solo in front of a live audience.  So here it is.
> I realize it is old, but let me know what you think.
>   Ashland Idol's surprise performer stuns audience
>   By Alaina Bosak - Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2011 12:00 am
>   Senior Kelsey Nicolay has been a singer for over a decade but
> she has never had the opportunity to perform a solo.  That is,
> not until Thursday night.
>   Nicolay signed herself up to perform in Ashland Idol.  This
> competition, sponsored by the sisters of Phi Mu at Ashland
> University, is held annually in support of the chapter's
> philanthropy, Children's Miracle Network.
>   "I was really surprised when Kelsey (Nicolay) signed up,"
> Rachel Heckathorn, president of Phi Mu, said.  "I'm really
> excited for her to be able to perform though."
>   "I've gone to watch (Ashland Idol) since I started at AU,"
> Nicolay said.  "I also love to watch American Idol, so I thought,
> why not give it a try?"
>   Having never performed a solo before, Nicolay admitted to being
> nervous prior to the competition.  According to Nicolay, as of
> two days before the show, she still had half of her repertoire to
> learn.
>   Nicolay is no stranger to music, however.  She has been part of
> a choir since fourth grade, only taking a break during her
> freshman year because, unfortunately, there was no choir to join
> at the Medina campus of Akron University.
>   When she transferred to AU, however, she became involved in
> Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus, where she currently
> sings within the alto and mezzo-soprano range.
>   Nicolay recently learned how to read music in Braille, a form
> of writing used specifically by the visually impaired or blind.
> Until now, she has only been able to learn the words.  She was
> forced to learn the music "by ear."
>   One of the songs Nicolay chose to perform at Ashland Idol was
> Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream," a song for which Nicolay was
> able to obtain Braille sheet music.
>   "When I first heard ("Just a Dream"), I thought it was a very
> emotional song and a good tribute to our soldiers," Nicolay said.
>   The judges seemed to agree, commenting on her soft delivery of
> such an emotional song.  They were also impressed with Nicolay's
> determination to perform the song a capella.
>   Nicolay's lack of vision did not deter her nerves either.
>   "I see it both ways," Nicolay explained.  "On the one hand, I
> wouldn't be able to see the reactions of the audience, but on the
> other, I could hear their reaction in their applause."
>   Nicolay did not require any sort of accommodation in order to
> perform.  She performed alone, without her cane and with only the
> assistance of a "sighted guide" to lead her and situate her
> onstage.
>   "She is just like any other performer," Crystal Kaschube, the
> Phi Mu philanthropy chair, said.  "She doesn't let her blindness
> stop her."
>   Also just like any other performer, Nicolay was very critical
> of her performance.  She felt it was terrible and wished she
> could have practiced more.
>   She was, however, thrilled with the results of the competition
> and felt that fellow Women's Chorus member Ashley Keim certainly
> deserved to win.
>   "I would definitely sign up again next year," Nicolay said,
> "and hopefully I can practice more."
> Thank you,
> Kelsey Nicolay
>
> _______________________________________________
> musictlk mailing list
> musictlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/musictlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> musictlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/musictlk_nfbnet.org/sandragayer7%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Soprano Singer
 www.sandragayer.com

Broadcast Presenter

www.insightradio.co.uk/music-box.html

Voiceover Artist

www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer