[musictlk] article about me

Poppa Bear heavens4real at gmail.com
Sat Jun 20 23:40:25 UTC 2015


I enjoyed the read, is there any way we could listen to the performance?
Thanks

-----Original Message-----
From: musictlk [mailto:musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelsey
Nicolay via musictlk
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 11:47 AM
To: musictlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Kelsey Nicolay
Subject: [musictlk] article about me

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

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