Then-freshman Emma Daggett could hear the other talented singers' voices echo through the door of the auditorium. She anxiously sat in a crowded hallway of the Pillsbury Music Center, surrounded by vocalists of all ages, waiting for her turn to compete in the National Associations of Teachers of Singing vocal contest.
After her performance, Emma patiently waited until the results paper was posted down the hall. She rushed down the hall, along with all the other competitors, and skimmed the list quickly, nearly missing the name at the very top: Emma Daggett.
Emma walked out crying happy tears, still in shock that she even placed in the top three. The contest, which only allows students of voice instructors who’re part of NATS to compete, was soon added to her extensive resume.
Now-sophomore Emma wants to take her vocal performance to the next stage — and state — by applying to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
UNCSA is a college preparatory school dedicated solely to those committed to enhancing their performing arts. Emma is applying to major in vocals, one of the only majors offered that’s a two-year program, with an acceptance rate of only 33%.
If accepted, she would move to the UNCSA campus for her junior and senior years of high school, where she’d continue her education in an arts-based environment.
“It's really cool to be able to focus all of yourself into something, whether that's being able to perform and do what you love, or getting a prize for a competition,” Emma said.
The first step in the application process is the pre-screen, for which Emma will send in a video of her singing for evaluation before an in-person audition in mid-December.
“I have to submit my pre-screen in a few days [to UNCSA],” Emma said. “I have a lot of music in my repertoire right now, so my voice teacher and I are trying to decide what I'm going to submit, but after I submit the pre-screen, I'll go in person in December and I’ll audition.”
Emma has taken voice lessons with her teacher Gary Green twice a week since age 7. Green is a member of NATS and worked with Emma to prepare for the competitive vocal contest she won first place in in February — one she’ll compete again in this winter.
Both Emma’s dad Mark Daggett and brother Elliott Daggett went to UNCSA, majoring in visual arts and drama, respectively. They encouraged her to apply to UNCSA as early as she could.
“It was definitely a life-changing experience for me, and I think that she would really enjoy it too,” Elliott said.
While it was hard for Elliott to leave his home and family for his senior year, he has shown Emma the connections and learning that can be gained from going to UNCSA. Emma has followed in Elliott’s footsteps in the past too, practicing ballet at Kansas City Ballet with him, performing in various musicals through the same companies and now, potentially continuing the UNCSA family tradition.
“I am nervous for her, but I'm also excited,” Mark said. “The drama program is only your senior year, so even if she weren't to get into the vocal performance as a junior, she could still reapply as a senior to the school, and what's amazing about Emma is I think that she could get in in vocal performance, drama [or] visual arts. She's really multitalented.”
Mark, Elliott and Emma’s other family members have supported her throughout the years, driving her all over Kansas City to voice lessons, ballet class, opera shows and musicals. Emma is very versatile: not only does she sing, but she has been involved in theatrics since she was 5-years-old and practiced ballet since she was six.
Emma spends over 12 hours at Kansas City Ballet during the school week, practicing her pointe skills and taking jazz and contemporary style classes. At UNCSA she would be able to take ballet and music classes during the school day as part of the academic program, even if she majors in vocals.
“You can study with the ballet company teachers who’re teaching the people who’re in the ballet program, which I think is a great opportunity because I could keep up my dance training while I'm there,” Emma said.
Ballet has taught her one of her favorite parts of performing is the half-nervous, half-excited feeling that takes over just before she’s about to go on stage. The second she begins to sing or dance, all the nerves disappear, and it’s visible through her facial features how rewarding performing is for her.
While Emma may not get to perform in as many ballets and musicals if accepted to UNCSA, her hard work and passion for both won’t be forgotten. The opportunities will likely rise again for Emma to perform in either, providing her with the heart pounding feeling before performing and doing what she loves for an audience.
“I really enjoy being able to prepare and work towards something, and then being able to give it [my] all,” Emma said.
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