By Misti McDonald
Moapa Valley Progress
Megan Potter of Overton returned last week from the experience of a lifetime. The 18 year old vocalist spent six days in New York City rehearsing with some of the nation’s top conductors and finally performing in the world-renowned Carnegie Hall.
Potter, who is currently a senior at Moapa Valley High School, was selected last fall as one of only eighty youth vocalists nationwide to participate in the American High School Honors Performance Series, a program established to showcase some of the most talented student performers in high school today.
The selection process for the series was long and rigorous. It started last summer. Along with submitting a complete written application Potter was required to submit an audition recording to be reviewed by an expert board of music professionals for final selection. There were over 8,000 applicants for the program.
In October, Megan was notified by mail that she had been accepted to the program. She was overjoyed. “I just screamed and handed it to my mom, then she screamed!” Megan said. “It was great!”
Over the next couple of months Megan received the music that she needed to prepare for the performance at Carnegie Hall.
“I had know it perfectly because there would be only three rehearsals,” said Megan.
Upon arriving in New York, Megan and her colleagues immediately plunged into a marathon series of rehearsals. The sessions lasted about ten hours a day and were exhausting.
“I had to take very good care of my voice in between rehearsals with very little talking and lots of warm water to drink,” Megan said.
Even though she didn’t have a lot of time for sightseeing Megan felt completely immersed in the New York atmosphere.
The performance at Carnegie Hall was every bit as wonderful as Megan had imagined it would be.
“I’ve always wanted to pursue music by studying as a Musical Theater Major, but had gotten a few opinions that maybe it wasn’t a good career choice,” Megan said. “Performing at Carnegie Hall affirmed my belief and knowledge that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.”
