KILLEEN, Texas — A local fifth-grader is about to embark on a musical journey that most young singers only dream about.
Ryan Sparks, an 11-year-old student at Pershing Park Elementary School, has earned one of only 100 permanent spots in the prestigious Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE) National Choir. He will travel to Chicago to rehearse and perform with some of the nation’s most talented young vocalists.
“I’m going to Chicago Tuesday for national choir,” said Sparks. “It’s somewhere new and I’m really excited.”
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The talented vocalist began his musical journey last year when he joined his school’s choir program. His exceptional ability quickly caught the attention of his music teacher, Jordan Coe.
“I got started singing when I joined choir last year,” Sparks explained. “Mr. Coe gave me the idea of joining the national choir. And then ever since then, we’ve been practicing. Luckily, I got one of the 100 permanent spots.”
Earning a position in the OAKE National Choir required Sparks to complete a rigorous audition process, including a recording of “America the Beautiful” that demonstrated his vocal range and musical abilities.
Despite the pressure, Sparks approaches performances with composure for his age.
“I just pretend like a white space with no one and nothing besides Mr. Cole and his piano,” he said, describing how he manages performance anxiety.
For Sparks, singing is more than just hitting the right notes – it’s about emotional expression.
“My favorite part is like when you’re making… you channel all your energy, get in your emotion and put it like in your voice,” he shared.
The young musician’s passion extends beyond vocal performance. During his interview, he demonstrated his piano skills and expressed interest in pursuing music professionally.
“I do want to be like a musician,” he stated simply.
His musical influences span centuries and genres, from classical masters to contemporary bands.
“My favorite band, Ghost. And von Beethoven, Bach and Mozart. And Charleston,” Sparks said.
Sparks offers straightforward advice for aspiring young singers: “Some advice I would want to give them is that… one is to use tall vowels and… two is to put your emotion in the song.”
The OAKE National Conference runs March 5-8 in Chicago, where Sparks will represent Pershing Park Elementary and showcase the musical talent being developed in local schools.