[Menvi-discuss] the following story was written about me

[kelsey nicolay]

Hello,
Over the summer I posted a thread about finding popular sheet 
music scores for a competition.  I recently performed in that 
competition and the following article was written about me.
  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, is held annually 
in support
of the chapter--so philanthropy, Children--so Miracle Network.
  --I was really surprised when Kelsey (Nicolay) signed up,-- 
said
Rachel Heckathorn, president of Phi Mu.  --I--more 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 ye
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--so 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--so --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--so
determination to perform the song a capella.
  Nicolay--so lack of vision did not deter her nerves either.
  --I see it both ways,-- Nicolay explained.  --On the one hand, 
I
wouldn--that be able to ininsee ininthe 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,-- said Crystal 
Kaschube,
the Phi Mu philanthropy chair.  --She doesn--that 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--so Chorus member Ashley Keim 
certainly deserved to
win.
  --I would definitely sign up again next year,-- Nicolay said, 
--and
hopefully I can practice more.--
Thanks,
Kelsey Nicolay
Cell: 330-441-2442
Room extension, 419-207-4618
Email: knicola1 at ashland.edu or piano.girl0299 at gmail.com?