Music

My first concert was a music festival my parents took me to when I was a baby. At 3, I started dancing, and did mainly ballet until I was 11. I was in shows like The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet for years, sometimes as a snowflake, a party guest, or a Russian dancer. I loved ballet, but when I started middle school I really wanted to be in show choir and the musicals, so I decided to stop. (Pic 1)

Throughout middle and high school, I did show choir, drama club, and every musical we had. My personal favorite shows were my 80s themed show choir concert, and being Elle Woods in Legally Blonde! During middle and high school I also took guitar lessons and did open mic nights at my local coffee shop/bookstore. (Pic 2)

When Covid hit, my school activities involving music stopped completely for awhile, but I still played guitar, sang, and tried writing, too. For a few years, I kept my music as a hobby and posted a TikTok here or there, but I started feeling really disconnected from it because I didn't really have people to enjoy it with. As I went through community college, I realized there weren't even many opportunities there to join music classes or a club. (Pic 3)

Cailin when she was 10, and others, in a flapper costume performing a ballet recital.

Cailin and others in her high school musical, Legally Blonde, as Elle Woods.

Cailin playing guitar and singing at an open mic night.

The BluesTones a cappella group with their blue heels in a circle.

Cailin singing her solo in a BluesTones concert.

Cut to 2024 when I was preparing to transfer to JMU, I saw a post somewhere about a cappella groups. I thought it could be worth looking into, but also could not get the image of Pitch Perfect out of my head and wasn't sure if it would be my vibe. I made the decision to audition after seeing all 10 groups perform at Jimmy's Mad Jam in the fall, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I went through the audition process (which is much more rigorous than I thought it would be) and ended up getting into the BluesTones! (Pic 4)

I've now been in BT for two years and have made some of my best friends, been social chair, and have had many successful gigs and concerts. Being in this group brought back my love of music and performing with other people, and I will be so sad to leave them. My ladies in black dresses and blue heels will always be the most important part of my college experience and a huge part of my life. Stay tuned for an album release! (Pic 5)