Richelle Lenoir came to Mississippi University for Women to become a pianist, but that was until her voice was discovered.
The junior from Hazlehurst was interested in piano; however, all piano students are required to take courses in voice as well.
“I came to The W as a piano major, but I didn’t start singing until my second year,” said Lenoir. “It wasn’t until I was required to take voice that Ms. (Elizabeth) Jones discovered me.”
Lenoir had always grown up singing in church and was always willing to help others learn their parts in choir, but the idea of singing on a stage or performing was something she never envisioned.
“I would have never changed my major by myself,” explained Lenoir.
This past summer she would take her singing to a new level. Lenoir began posting videos of herself singing to Facebook where her videos would be discovered by one of the overseers in her church. As a result, she was encouraged to enter the Charles Price Jones Music Contest.
In May, she competed in the local round of competition and finished in first. In June, she competed in the district and diocese levels, where she finished in first and placed at the national competition.
To prepare for the competition, she focused on the vocal aspect, as well as the aspect of being on stage.
“I no longer had a piano to hide behind,” said Lenoir. “I walked around in public and in front of my family singing to adjust to being in front of people and not getting distracted.”
Along with the daily 15 minutes of vocal scales, she saturated vocal cords with 10 glasses of water daily. Jones also helped her prepare by practicing on a stage and giving pointers.
At the national competition in Dallas, contestants drew in order of performance and Lenoir was chosen to perform first. Despite her nervousness and 8 a.m. start, she took home the first place title.
“Richelle’s vocal potential was evident from the moment I first worked with her, but her willingness to develop her gift is at the core of her success,” said Jones, Lenoir’s music instructor. “She took music that we had worked on previously and polished it at a level of professionalism and grace that speaks very highly of her as an artist and musician. ”
After completing her degree from The W, Lenoir hopes to continue on to graduate school and receive a master’s degree in theology with the goal of working in a church or ministry setting.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.