CORNER BROOK — As Gina Spencer’s soft voice fills the sanctuary at First United Church it’s hard to believe the sweet sound is coming from a 10-year-old.
But 10 she is, and that voice has earned her a gold medal from The Royal Conservatory.
The Massey Drive girl has been singing for five years and credits her first experience with the Rotary Music Festival for getting her hooked.
“Practising the songs, it was really fun, but like hard at the same time and I like that.
“And then I did pretty good in the festival and it just made me want to aim higher,” Gina said.
Last year after her music teacher Gary Graham told her about the Royal Conservatory exams, she decided she wanted to give it a try.
“But it took a lot of hard work,” said Spencer of the preparation needed to complete the Grade 3 classical category exam which included singing songs, scales, intervals and sight reading.
Spencer did the exam in June and said she really didn’t know what to expect after.
“When I got my mark back I ended up getting a 93,” she said, the excitement clear in her voice. “And then a couple of weeks ago, they emailed me and told me that I had the highest mark in Atlantic Canada.”
That achievement earned her an invitation to the 2012 Atlantic Canada Gold Medal Ceremony in Halifax, N.S. on Nov. 25. The event will be held at the Lillian Piercey Concert Hall in the Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
That night she will receive her gold medal and Graham will get a matching medal.
“I’m really honoured because this is a big thing,” said Spencer of how she feels about getting the medal. “I’m just really happy,” she added with a giggle.
She expects she’ll be nervous, because she’s never done anything like it before, and happy because her family, parents Mike and Janice, will be there with her.
Spencer said she enjoys everything about singing, and especially enjoys singing musical theatre.
“Because I just like doing the dancing, and the singing and the acting.”
This past summer her family took a trip to New York City that involved seeing quite a few shows. Her favourite was “Evita.”
A Grade 5 student at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Spencer practices her music, singing and piano for about an hour every day. She’s also in dance and a member of the school band.
Next year Spencer plans to mix things up a bit and complete a conservatory piano exam, and then do a voice exam the following year.
Congratulations Gina keep up the great work. Having a coach as wonderful as the GREAT MR GARY GRAHAM is an asset that cannot be describe. Cherish him you are lucky to have him. I was lucky to have him when I was your age.