Schools

McCluer North Senior Makes Competition Finale

Anissa Quilling will compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships at the finale of the second annual St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition.

Anissa Quilling needed the right song.

She wanted to sign up for the second annual St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition. Her friends were doing it. There was a big poster on a bulletin board at her school, But when she searched for something to show off the voice she’s famous for in the school choir and church praise team, she couldn’t find the right song.

That’s when Tracy Baker, her choir director, stepped in—just in time and with the perfect music: “The Girl in 14-G,” which tells the story of a quiet introvert living above an opera singer and below a jazz singer.

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“He was excited when he gave it to me,” Quilling said. “He was like, this is perfect for you, so I tried it and I loved it. After the first round, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m glad I did this! I am going to keep doing it all the way.’”

Months later, Quilling is one of 11 acts selected to compete in the final rounds of the St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition. On April 27, she’ll compete onstage at the Fabulous Fox Theater, and at stake are thousands of dollars in scholarship funds.

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Quilling has only been to the Fox once to see Trey Songz, a popular rapper, perform, but the majesty and legacy of the theater left a lasting impression. The theater has hosted top shows and performers from around the world, “and I’m going to be performing on the same stage,” she said excitedly.

If Quilling wins, she’ll use the $7,000 scholarship to pay for her music education degree at Murray State University.

Until then, she is practicing and building up her confidence.

“I’m more excited than nervous,” she said. “It’s a really fun song, and it’s a comedy, too, so I’m going to have fun singing it. I’m a whole new character when I perform.”

Mike Isaacson, the executive producer of the Muny Opera and a judge in the competition, said he’s excited to show St. Louis how “ferociously talented” its teens are.

“They are finding their voice artistically,” Isaacson said. “They are finding their voice as young people. It’s kind of pure. There is nothing false about it. It’s coming from their hearts and spirits and who they are as young people. We live in a very cynical time, and there is nothing cynical about these kids.”

If you’d like to cheer Quilling on, The St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition finale starts at 8 p.m. April 27 at the Fabulous Fox Theater. Tickets are free.

For more, read Florissant Patch's coverage of in the finals.


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