Carnegie Hall Spotlight Shines on Texas Teen

by Terri Kofoed

Corinth, TX–Kylie Jensen is packing her bags and looking forward to an opportunity of a lifetime, singing under the spotlights of Carnegie Hall, one of the world’s most prestigious music venues. Kylie confesses, “I am so excited! Every musician has on their bucket list to sing at Carnegie Hall and I get to do it!”

Kylie’s journey to the spotlight of New York City began when she followed her love of singing by joining choir in the 4th grade. From an early age she sang with family members in the church choir of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kylie is a native Texan and has lived most of her life in Corinth, Texas. A senior at Guyer High School, she currently performs with the Chamber Choir and is a second alto.  Last year Kylie went through the audition process for the Texas All-State Choir and made the All–State Women’s Choir. Because of that accomplishment, she was invited to audition for the Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series.  She sent in an audition recording and was accepted.

Kylie will be the only student representing Guyer High School at Carnegie Hall. During the performance the women’s choir, which Kylie is part of, will perform six choral pieces. The songs represent a diverse selection of music, from the Classical and Baroque, to Irish Ballads, Egyptian Folk songs and contemporary pieces.

After the lights go down in Carnegie Hall on the performance series, Kylies’ future will continue to shine as she shares her passion for music. She said, “Music is so important everyone can be impacted by it and feel something. Even if you don’t perform it, you can understand it and be moved by the music. Everyone speaks the language of music.”

Photography by Patti Jensen