Finding strength in music, a young singer is making her mark in the Chilliwack amateur music scene.
Taylor Bellows was awarded not only a silver award for her first performance at the Chilliwack Lion Club Annual Music and Dance Festival but gold as well.
“I can’t believe it; it was my first festival, but somehow I knew I would do okay, but to come away with a gold and a silver was great.”
Bellows has been studying voice with Paula Quick, of the Chilliwack Music Academy, for just a few months, after discovering her desire to sing while taking lessons with former Hope music teacher Liz Hoffman.
And she did her former teacher proud, winning a gold medal certificate of merit in the Pop category (age 14 and under) for her rendition of Tattoo by Jordon Sparks. She also took a silver medal singing a Scottish folk song, Turn Ye to Me.
“She was allowed to pick one song that she felt was in her comfort zone, and that was the Jordon Sparks song, and the teacher picked the folk song, according to what a student suited,” said mom Teagan Bellows.
Taylor Bellows also plays the flute in the HSS band, a skill she says ties into her singing through teaching her control over her breathing.
Bellows began singing when she was eight years old.
“It felt good to see my mom smile, when I sang to her.”
“Now it is how I get my emotions out; when I am upset I sing… it is really important to me.”
“You just put a microphone in front of her and all of a sudden she has no fear,” added mom, something that amazes many of her teachers who know her as an extremely quiet young woman.
As for tomorrow, Taylor stars in her eyes and is hoping for a bright future.
“I am hoping I have a chance of being famous… No not hoping, I know if I work really hard I will get somewhere. I have a lot of faith right now. “