High School Vocalist Heads To Miami

By Tanjua Damon

High School senior Grant Skinner will be spending a week in January in a warmer climate for ARTS Week 2001.

Grant is one of only 126 artists, 10 of whom are vocalists, that were selected out of 4,387 students nationwide who applied to attend the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts week. The students will participate in master classes and interdisciplinary arts enrichment activities, as well as auditions and interviews in Miami, Florida, January 8 through January 14. 

Ann McNulty Ferraro, the chorus director at the high school, provided the initial information to Grant about the arts program. He had to make a recording of eight songs in various languages including English, German, Italian, and French. Grant received voice lessons from Boyd Schlaefer of Brookfield.

“It’s exciting because I feel like I might have something to offer as a performer,” Grant said. “I’m excited to be able to work with such talented people.”

In being accepted to the NFAA’s program, Grant has won money. Part of the program in Florida will decide what the award amount will be for Grant.

“There are master classes and seminars as well as performances to attend,” Grant said. “I’ve seen the schedule and it’s very intense.”

Grant intends to pursue singing as a career. He plans to attend a music conservatory next year and is waiting to hear where he will be accepted. He enjoys singing opera music.

“I knew it was a long shot, but I thought I would give it a try,” Grant said about the NFAA competition. “Music is important to me because it is the way I express myself and the way I share my feelings with other people.”

Grant is the son of Jeanne and Steven Skinner of Sandy Hook.