Stephanie Avelar, 15
High School Junior
RGVS student since September 2008

"Well, there is so many great things I can say about this wonderful experience. It was such an honor and I will ALWAYS be grateful for it. All the prep leading to the performance was amazing! We were all encouraged and helped from the very start. It was an AMAZING feeling to perform with a live band!!! The energy and the emotions come together on stage. I felt safe knowing that we were all a team on stage. Even though it was probably more than 100 DEGREES in that coffee shop when I was up on stage nothing mattered but the music. Then, when I got off stage that heat wave came right back! Hahaha : ) I would love to thank Rocio, Izetta, and Iari for being such amazing teachers! Also, to the live band!! (Duhh!!) You guys were off the chain and so supportive! I would have been lost without you guys (literally!) This testimonial has suddenly turned into a speech given at an awards ceremony! Hahaha... But it was a true honor and I will always be grateful to say I had my first band for 3 1/2 minutes when I was 15. Hehehe... Thank You! "

Stephanie has the wonderful curse of having a naturally gifted cannon for a voice! What we've worked on is giving her voice multiple facets so that she isn't a one-trick-pony. The result has been evidenced by a much wider vocal range, and an ability to sing even stronger, but with much less effort expended! We're working on her self-confidence, and we know Stephanie Avelar will be a truly dangerous singer!