fortunate she had been all of these years at the Texas Music Educators Association conference in San Antonio this winter . In what should ’ ve been the culminating performance of her high school career , the four-time , all-state soprano lost her voice during rehearsals . She still sang with choir , but admitted it was hard not hearing her voice as part of the group
“ When I lose my voice and I can ’ t sing , I feel like ‘ Oh no , there ’ s a part of me that ’ s missing !’” Courtney said . “ It was still a really cool experience though because I got to participate in everything , learned some new things and made new friends . I just didn ’ t get to , in a way , contribute at the end .”
Her contributions to the Denton High choir program are undeniable . She wasn ’ t just a member of the choir each of her four years ; she also took part in ensembles , chambers , special performances and musical theatre , helping other students along the way .
“ Courtney is one of the hardest working young ladies to come through this
“ When I lose my voice and I can ’ t sing , I feel like ‘ Oh no , there ’ s a part of me that ’ s missing !” — Courtney Lawson
program . She does not know how to do things half way and this carries over into her work in the classroom and with her peers ,” Mr . Baker said . “ She always makes everyone better .”
She has been accepted into the School of Music at Brigham Young University – one of only nine students admitted for the Fall of 2017 – and plans on studying vocal performance , with the goal of becoming an opera singer . Courtney said she knows it ’ s going to take a lot of hard work , but she ’ s willing to do it to get the end result she wants .
“ I ’ ve been very fortunate to get to work with so many great music teachers in Denton , but I guess the biggest thing I ’ ve learned is to see the end point ,” she said . “ Knowing that whatever you ’ re having to go through now is worth it because the end is going to be a lot better .”
Saturday , April 22 10 am - 4 pm
Denton Civic Center 321 East McKinney Street | Denton , TX 76201
Live Music | Educational Workshops | Festival Foods | TRASHion Fashion Runway Show | Children ’ s Activities | Kids ’ Zone with Bounce House , and MORE ! FREE ADMISSION + FREE TREES *!
* Must attend a 30-minute tree education class at the festival
For more information about the Denton Redbud Festival , visit www . kdb . org .
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