The next six blogs will highlight six extraordinary people who are this year's Mansfield Symphony Orchestra singing competition finalists. Allie Carter is the first contestant...
Allie Carter is a native of Lexington, Ohio and graduated from Lexington High School in 2006. Currently, she is the Artistic Coordinator and owner of Studio65. Studio65 has two locations and its specialization is in competitive Acro Dance.
Allie's fondest musical memories come from spending time with her grandparents. "They always had music playing. Their favorite pastime was watching musicals at the end of the evening. I honestly cannot ever remember a time that I didn’t want to sing," stated Carter. "I grew up in the Renaissance Theatre watching my great uncle rehearse with the Fun Center Chordsmen. After his rehearsals or performances, I would come home and stand on anything that resembled a stage, grab the floor lamp (which I imagined was a microphone) and sing like I was at the theatre performing. As I grew older I became more involved in school sports, modeling, and playing the violin."
Allie always loved to sing, but it was not something she was comfortable doing in public until a good friend got her on stage in 2013. That was a "Eureka!" moment and she realized that there was a void in her life that could only be fulfilled by making music.
Margaret Whiting, Beyoncé, Adele, Jessi J, are artists which inspire Carter and her favorite musicians are Lindsay Stirling and Bryson Andres. Her all-time favorite song is "Moonriver" by Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. "The song and the movie speak to me. I feel a strong connection to her free-spirited character. It was also the song my grandmother would sing in her rocking chair to put me to sleep."
When asked what song last made her cry, Allie replied, "Do you mean today?? Lol Anytime I hear a good song chances are I'm crying by the end. There’s something to be said about an artist who can lay their heart out for everyone to listen to. That type of vulnerability takes a lot of courage to share. It’s beautiful to me, so if I feel that connection within the music, I cry."
Carter has a mantra to her 9-year-old self which is "Want it more than you fear it." You can bet this young artist will be saying that quite a lot as she prepares to sing "Over the Rainbow" with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra on March 21. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow was the first song I remember singing to for the enjoyment of singing. It has always had a special place in my heart as it stems from my earliest childhood memories. It has always been a dream of mine to perform it with a live orchestra, too. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to perform."
You can hear Allie Carter sing "Over the Rainbow" at Mash-up on March 21. There you will also get to decide which of the finalists walks away with the top prize. This is a concert not to miss!