Singer's Company

This was a big year for our Gracie girl--not only her first year of elementary school as she began kindergarten, but also her first foray into the world of performance. We didn't feel any pressure to get her started in anything this year, but when my friend Cami suggested Gracie join in the second semester of Singer's Company we decided to give it a shot.

Singer's is great because, while the girls do prepare for a show and practice song and dance, it is not all about the performance and competition. Instead they really focus on helping the girls build confidence and learn to support one another as they create their program. And oh man, was it cute. :)

Gracie loved her costume for her performance, so we took some photos before one of her performances. (They did three--two for retirement homes and one for friends and family.) She struck her own poses and was really getting her Blue Steel going, too.

Notice the Elsa-themed jewelry she purchased with her allowance? :) 

 We are always proud of our kids. They are amazing even at the day-to-day level. But every once in a while we get to see one of them really shine, and it is probably one of the most incredible feelings in the world. That's what we felt like when we heard and saw Gracie sing for the first time at the family & friends performance. I loved her confidence. I loved how she stepped up and belted out her part in front of a room full of strangers, with no fear. I loved her courage, and I loved seeing her exulted and empowered by her work and her accomplishment.

Here we are waiting to see her sing! (Charlie took the picture of me and Juliette.)

Here's a little video of the song where she got to do her solo ("Tomorrow" from Annie). She steps in around 0:53 and belts her little heart out. (And you'll hear our friend, who sent this video to us when our memory card ran out of space, say "Niiice," to me right afterward haha.)

Gracie's Singer's Company Spring 2014 from J Walton on Vimeo.