CHESTERMERE – A young Chestermere talent will be performing at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York on Feb. 12, after being selected for the 2012 American High School Honors Performance Series.
Dallas Hayes-Sparks, 16, is a student of Heritage Christian Academy in Calgary. There, she is involved in choir and band, as well as vocal jazz and jazz band. She also plays the tenor saxophone and the piano.
When she performs in New York, she will be part of the Honors Choir as a Soprano 1. Participation in the Honors Choir is limited to the highest rated school performers from across North America and select international schools.
While on a school choir trip to Chicago last year, Hayes-Sparks’s voice was singled out of the choir after she hit a particular note. She was approached by a director and offered the chance to audition to be part of the program. She auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Selection Board committee. Her acceptance to the group is said to be a direct result of the talent, dedication and achievements demonstrated in her application and audition recording.
“Music has been a love of mine since I was small,” Hayes-Sparks said. “It is a dream come true to be able to sing at Carnegie Hall.”
When she was in a school play in Grade 5, Shelly Fullerton, who is still her music teacher today, heard her sing and asked if she was being taught professionally. Three months after beginning lessons with Fullerton, Hayes-Sparks attended the Drumheller Festival. There, she was nominated to go to provincials, where she tied for second place. She also received a TransCanada Scholarship for the student with the most potential.
Hayes-Sparks said that taking lessons with Fullerton made a world of difference for her singing abilities in many aspects.
The Grade 11 student has also had the opportunity to participate in Calgary events such as the Women Caring For Women International Fundraising Grant, as well as perform at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts during Black History month.
She said that being able to sing at Carnegie Hall is her biggest opportunity yet, and that she hopes it will open up some options for her future in signing. The event will be attended by both the public and specially-invited representatives from collegiate music programs.
Hayes-Sparks and the other finalists will come together for five days in New York City this month, where they will have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Jeffrey Ames, Director of Choral Activities at Belmont University, work with other finalists, and get a taste of the city.
Hayes-Sparks enjoys everything from opera to pop music, and hopes to someday sing professionally, but has set her sights on teaching as well. She hopes to attend Hillsong in Australia, or the University of BC or Calgary.
