Voices Around CCHS: Talented students taking on their vocal passions 

BY ASHLYN COHEN

Young virtuosos’ at CCHS explore their distinctive talents and are excelling greatly. With a wide range of musical genres, many have found what they love best. 

While many students’ talents eventually become party tricks, such as doing a backflip, these students showcase their voices musically for the masses. 

“What inspired me to make music was really the love and passion for it ever since I was young and I heard a song and it had me moving and dancing,” junior Jaquan Russell said. 

Russell’s plans on growing and becoming a full-time artist is a vision for him in his future. Russell is currently a Spotify artist and expresses that people listening to his music should enjoy his lyricism.

“I do have plans on being an artist in the future,” Russell said. “My music to me is really my therapy, I don’t have many friends so when I record, I vent to the mic[rophone] and when I leave the studio whatever I was going through is off my chest because I spoke it.”

Russell’s goal for his music is to change people’s lives the way music changed his. To follow his music, you can find him on the Spotify platform under “Quan2x.”

Along with Russell, CCHS performer, senior Emily Kaufman, who has been enthusiastic about her career since she was very young, has collected multiple musical accolades. 

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve loved the audience watching me and the feel of the energy of those performing too, and even just a smile lets me know people are enjoying me being myself,”Kaufman said. 

Kaufman has been performing since she was six and is now taking her gift to a whole new level.

In preparation for a post-secondary career, Kaufman is now focused on pursuing college auditions in musical theater and singing from the many opportunities she has been given.

“I’ve achieved winning many local competitions and [will be] performing at the Carnegie Hall for the third time this past December,” Kaufman said.

Carnegie Hall is a massive triumph for a young teen like Kaufman. New York’s Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious concert stages in America, mainly known for performances by classical music artists and occasionally pop song performers.

Kaufman has also worked hard to earn a chance to perform America’s National Anthem at sporting events for the Miami Marlins, Miami Heat, Inter Miami CF and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), which had over 100,000 fans at the event and many watching on live television.

A cappella group Acapop! KIDS featured Kaufman as their main singer in two of their viral videos with over 15 million views each.

“Over the years, I’ve had wonderful experiences performing, and singing has not only brought me so many opportunities,” Kaufman said. “But it has filled me with so much joy. I’ve known since a young age that I loved singing and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”

Junior artist Anthony Bradley takes over the microphone as he uploads music on artist platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.

Bradley practiced producing his own music using FL Studio during quarantine. FL Studio is a digital audio workstation that developing songwriters and creators can use to practice generating a beat and rhythm to fulfill the need of their song.

Not only can Bradley sing, but he also learned to play guitar during a four to five-year span. He incorporated his guitar skills with his songwriting skills to create a full song which was produced on his platform called AnthoB.

“I have plans to expand my listener base and grow the AnthoB brand because I feel that I have a good message and a nice flow,” Bradley said. “Being able to work on creative projects and have an impact through those projects would be amazing.”

Music is a tool for Bradley to express himself through something he loves and the lyrics correlate with scenarios that occur throughout his life.

Bradley spends his days constructing a beat, then continues to record himself playing an instrument and then follows up with the vocals.

Bradley expresses his love for music and wants others to feel passionate when they listen to him.

“I hope other people resonate with the songs and can find their own meaning and relate to it as well,” Bradley said.

Many of the artists at CCHS can relate to the idea that expressing themselves through music is an emotional journey. Whether the music is happy, sad, revenge, or whatnot, those listening to it are able to relate or shift the lyrics to fit the situation or mood they want to cope with and inspire others to be passionate about what they love.