Madeline Kennedy

Grade: 11th

Future college: Texas A&M, Queen’s University, or Liberty University

Future Job: Running a free school/orphanage in a 3rd world country

Years singing: Choir since grade 4

Inspiration: Kelly Clarkson

Favorite artist: Etta James

Wingspan: When and how did you discover your talent?

Kennedy: “I have always been infatuated with singing pretty much since I could talk so I’d say I’ve more worked on my ability for many years than having a talent.”

Wingspan: What got you into singing?

Kennedy:  “I really started getting serious-as in I wanted to be a singer-about singing when I watched American Idol in elementary school and was obsessed with the idea that a normal person could change their world and make a living singing all the time.”

Wingspan: How has choir changed your life?

Kennedy: “I’ve been blessed with a community from it, some friends I’ve been in choir since fourth grade so I have gained some great friendships.”

Wingspan: How does your family support your singing?

Kennedy: “They come to all my concerts and help me practice.”

Wingspan: How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

Kennedy: “I try to handle it with total confidence, pretending it was supposed to happen the whole time. Freshman year, during our spring concert, I went up to the mic to sing a solo and waited up at front at the mic, waiting for our director to start playing the piano and t ended up not being my turn for a few more songs. But I walked back up to my place in stride, laughing it off with my friends.”

Wingspan: What is your favorite genre to sing?

Kennedy: “I love musicals.”

Wingspan: Do you plan on pursuing this as a career?

Kennedy: “No, it does not seem to be that dependable of a career.”

Wingspan: Have you ever thought about writing your own songs?

Kennedy: “I used to write songs to sing with my ukulele but I’m not super creative so it didn’t last long.”

Wingspan: When you aren’t singing, what are you doing?

Kennedy: “I am a competitive triathlete so training takes up most of my time but I am also on the swim team.”

Wingspan: Who motivates you the most?

Kennedy: “High school is the easiest as it gets, I might as well have fun and make the most of what I do while doing it.”