VOCAL VIRTUOSO

PALMER — The axiom about how one gets to Carnegie Hall is true — practice, practice, practice.

Just ask Nancy Means, a 16-year-old Palmer High School senior (she’ll be 17 July 1) who is in New York City preparing for her big moment performing at the historic concert hall.

Means is one of dozens of the nation’s best and brightest high school singers to make up the High School Honors Performance Series, a collection of all-star standouts from states’ honor choirs. As the first chair in the Alaska All-State Music Festival, Means was invited to audition.

“I got a letter inviting me to attend the (performance) at Carnegie Hall,” she said. “There was an audition process. Mr. Stan Harris of Palmer High School helped me record a song that, ironically without thinking about it, is titled ‘New York State of Mind.’ I sent it in and they accepted me, which was kind of a surprise.”

While her acceptance may have been a surprise for Means, it wasn’t for those who have been listening to her sing for years as a member of the PHS jazz choir and in school musicals. She played the lead role of Meg in the school’s recent performance of “Little Women.”

Means left Tuesday for a week of music and adventure in New York City. She’s rehearsing with the group until Saturday’s main concert.

“It will be quite an experience,” she said Monday, adding that part of the excitement is being in a group with other extremely talented singers. “Definitely, these people will give me a run for my money, and it’s great to be in that upper echelon. Not very often are you surrounded by people just as talented as you, if not better. When I’m around people who are better than I, it challenges me to get better and improve more.”

A soprano who also can sing into the alto range, Means said she isn’t a fan of singing opera. She likes lively performance.

“It’s a tie between jazz and musical theater,” she said about her favorite genre to sing. “I love both. … I enjoy hearing other people sing opera, I enjoy watching other people sing opera, but it’s too strict and formal. I like acting and improvisation, and you can do that with jazz and musical theater.”

Now a seasoned performer, Means said nerves aren’t a problem for her, and she expects to be calm when taking the stage at Carnegie Hall.

“It’s one of those places I’ve always heard about since I was really little, but you never expect to actually go there, let alone perform on a stage like that,” she said. “I never hold back because I don’t want to regret anything.”

When asked about the worst and best memories she has of her young performance career, Means chuckles and blushes.

“I wouldn’t say this is the worst, but certainly most awkward,” she said. “The kissing scenes are very awkward in performances, especially when it’s with someone who’s younger than you.”

And the best moments?

“I’m still writing the book on the best memories,” she said.

For many in the Valley who may not have heard Means sing on stage, they may recognize her voice from singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events. Singing the National Anthem is a privilege, she said, one she takes seriously. It’s not a song a singer should try to show off with, she said.

“When I sing the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ I try to make it as simple as possible,” she said. “When I’m standing there, I want it to be something other people can relate to. When you’re constantly going up and down the scale, you just take away from it. It takes away from the true patriotic meaning of it if you try to be selfish with it. That song, you’re singing it for the audience, you’re singing it for America, not yourself.”

On Saturday, Means will be singing for herself, for Alaska and the Valley.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.