This month the FAB (Fine Arts Boosters of Kingston High School) Spotlight is on Addie Francis. As sophomore soprano she shares her talent in the Kingston High School choir, in ensembles and as a soloist.
“Music has been my life since I was able to talk, either making up songs or listening to the popular songs on the radio,” Francis said. “Singing is like a form of therapy. It gets me in a good mood and gets my heart pumping.”
To the question, “What kind of music do you like?” Francis replied: “I love, love, love Broadway musicals! The sound of the music and the voices just thrills me. My favorites are ‘Chorus Line’s’ ‘What I did for Love,’ and the ‘Music Man’s’ ‘Til There was You,’ and all the music from ‘Phantom of the Opera.'”
In May, Francis will travel to New York and will see the “Phantom” on stage. Last summer she attended the 5th Avenue Theater School and took classes from professional performers.
Francis’ family recognized her talent early and she started her with piano lessons. In fifth grade, she became a voice student of Marcia Smith Hill who helped her find her voice and with with breath support.
Francis’ soprano voice limits the kind of music she can sing and with voice lessons she knows to only sing what feels comfortable and not to push it. Along with choir, she sings at Bayside Church, in talent shows and at special places like veteran’s homes.
But her interests aren’t limited to singing.
“What don’t I do,” Francis said. “I’m on the Debate Team where I qualified for State and I’m a 4.0 student. I love school and everything I do is for the benefit of my future. I do not think there is anything better than working for a goal and achieving it. I truly love learning.”
Francis hopes none of the arts are cut from the school’s budget.
“We are just getting things started at KHS and when things are taken away you can never get better,” she said.
Music teacher Adam Campagna said Francis is a good representative of the KHS program.
“Addie is a tremendous musician with a great voice and strong work ethic,” Campagna said. “Her positive attitude and commitment to the Vocal Music Program has helped to build the program from 20 to 40 talented students. We hope to see this trend continue as we build the music program here at KHS.”
Francis, who says she is obsessed with teeth, thinks she may become a singing dentist.
“Music really helps in life. I don’t always have a lot of free time but it is always there. Being a musician is just being able to pick up where you left off.”
The news is full of dismal reports about education funding. This is the sixth high school artist I’ve profiled for FAB, and I am overwhelmed by the clarity, honesty, maturity, creativeness, dedication of these young people. I am so optimistic. We in Kingston simply must support them. Our community needs them.
The Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo — formerly the Kingston Art Gallery — has awarded its first scholarship to KHS senior artist Sarah Foster from the proceeds of the annual Slug Fest.
Foster and finalist Amber Johnson will share a featured artist space at the gallery for its Second Saturday Opening on April 9, from 5-8 p.m. Congratulations young artists, and way to go Front Street Gallery and slug hunters.
