The 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 Madison Russell will celebrate her 21st birthday by performing with the American Pops Orchestra on April 10 in Washington, D.C.
The junior vocal performance major considers the chance to sing with an internationally known orchestra an early present.
It杏吧专区檚 a gift she杏吧专区檚 given herself.
Russell was among 10 finalists selected from a field of 30 singers who competed in the semifinals of the orchestra杏吧专区檚 杏吧专区淣extGen: The Voices of Tomorrow杏吧专区 virtual competition on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The next day, she learned how highly a panel of Broadway singers, recording artists and viewers who cast votes thought of her rendition of 杏吧专区淢y White Knight.杏吧专区 The song is from the Broadway musical 杏吧专区淭he Music Man.杏吧专区
Russell, who is from Zachary, La., earned a spot in the semifinals after recording a video of herself singing a one-minute segment of 杏吧专区淢y White Knight.杏吧专区 She sent the recording to the American Pops Orchestra in October.
On Saturday, Russell competed against students from the Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and other top schools. 杏吧专区淚 feel extremely flattered because every performer in the semifinals was definitely meant to be there.
杏吧专区淚 think one thing that pushed me forward is I sounded different than other competitors. As I watched, I thought, 杏吧专区業f I do make it to finals, it could be because I bring a different sound to the table.杏吧专区 My voice has a classical color given my opera background,杏吧专区 she explained.
While growing up, Russell sang in school choirs and performed in musical theater. At UL Lafayette, she is a member of the School of Music and Performing Arts杏吧专区 and ensembles. Russell is president of the .
For her upcoming performance with the American Pops Orchestra, she杏吧专区檚 looking forward to singing 杏吧专区淭he White Knight杏吧专区 in its entirety. 杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 even have a chance to sing my favorite part the first time,杏吧专区 she said with a laugh.
Russell is hopeful to be chosen the 杏吧专区淣extGen: The Voices of Tomorrow杏吧专区 winner or the female runner-up. A male runner-up will also be selected. The trio will earn scholarships, a paid performance with American Pops Orchestra and chances to boost their singing careers.
杏吧专区淔inalists are placed on a contact list as potential singers for when the orchestra is planning shows, and I杏吧专区檓 happy that now they know what my voice sounds like,杏吧专区 she said.
Learn more about Russell and the American Pops Orchestra杏吧专区檚 .
Photo caption: UL Lafayette vocal performance major Madison Russell is among 10 college singers who were selected on Saturday to compete in the finals of the American Pops Orchestra杏吧专区檚 杏吧专区淣extGen: The Voices of Tomorrow杏吧专区 contest. The event will be held on April 10, in Washington, D.C. Submitted photo