The Song Stylist

As a child, my dream was to become a songstress. My hopes were dashed when my voice teacher expressed doubts as to whether I had the vocal ability to achieve that goal. I suspected this before she said it because I had trouble singing on key for more than 30 seconds at a time. Plus, I am a contralto. Few well-known female singers are contraltos. (Jazz chanteuse Diana Krall is the only one I know of).



So I sang a few more short solos in my strong contralto voice, always backed by a choir, and then focused my ambitions elsewhere. I tell that story to contrast my vocal ability with that of some of my kin folk and to showcase one I believe can carry a tune. Here is my cousin: