For a fifth grader smaller than most of her classmates, Brandi Alden has big dreams.
But unlike the title of the song that is among the tiny, blue-eyed blonde's favorite Broadway classics, Brandi's dreams of an entertainment career appear anything but impossible.
Since she began entertaining older kids at school bus stops six years ago in her Stratford Forest neighborhood in Cornelius, Brandi's voice and vibrant charisma have carried her to pageant crowns near and far and put her in talent search spotlights from Broadway to Hollywood. And as the 2011 soloist champion in a nationwide talent competition, Brandi's horizons seem endless.
Among the recognition coming her way as the winner of the nation-wide 2011 SING! contest sponsored by the DDR Corporation, Brandi will be honored at an awards reception Monday, Feb. 6, at Birkdale. The reception, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., will conclude a busy day for Brandi.
Earlier in the day, she will introduce Emmy Award-winning singer and songwriter Kevin Briody to her classmates at J.V. Washam Elementary. She will also have the chance to join Briody in performing for the student body, take part in the presentation of a $5,000 donation to Levine's Children's Hospital and participate in a private lesson with Briody at Creative Ej in Kenton Place.
The opportunity to work with Briody and the contribution to the children's hospital are part of Brandi's prize package as the 2011 SING! winner. The 11-year-old daughter of Rich and Linda Alden will also receive $2,500 in gift cards for purchases at DDR-owned facilities.
It's an exciting time for Brandi, but it's also just another milestone along what she hopes will be a path to the Great White Way and beyond. Participation in multiple pageants — evidenced by a purple and gold pre-teen bedroom lined with championship trophies, tiaras and sashes — has provided Brandi public speaking experience; a bright, big-stage smile and a show-biz persona that radiates from her tiny frame. And with the family dog Bandit snoozing at her side, Brandi doesn't hesitate to share her goals.
"I really hope to get an agent and get a call back for Annie," she says, referring to her status as an often sought-after auditioner for the classic Broadway role.
A by-invitation-only convention in Orlando this summer will provide Brandi the opportunity to showcase her talents for influential agencies with representatives who are already aware of her many achievements.
Brandi is currently Child Model Magazine's Entertainer of the Year, she has a talent agent-supplied "fast pass" for America's Got Talent auditions, she beat out more than 300 competitors last year to win the "Triad Idol" competition in Greensboro and will be North Carolina's pre-teen representative in an international pageant later this year. Locally, she is a well known member of the community's vast pool of talented performers.
"She's really made a name for herself," proud mom Linda says. "In fact, we're kind of overwhelmed by all of it."
Brandi has sung the National Anthem at Davidson College football and basketball games, Charlotte Knights baseball games and at Charlotte Bobcats NBA games. A recent "Star Spangled Banner" rendition at a Davidson women's game caught the ear of an Atlantic Coast Conference official, resulting in an invitation to be one of the singers providing the anthem at the Women's ACC Tournament in March.
But with all that she has accomplished, and with a multitude of events, pageants and appearances on her schedule, Brandi is still steely focused on the bright lights of Broadway where her favorite songs boom from the stage each night.
She describes her singing style as "belting," which means when the tiny girl with the sweet smile roars into a bold line like, "This is my quest, to follow that star," it grabs the audience and — with acting lessons and six years of pageant experience as part of her personal performance arsenal — her stage presence pulls them in the rest of the way.
"She really has a great range with her voice," her mom says. "I think that surprises people the first time they hear her sing."
Brandi likes a wide range of music; in fact regular drum lessons have been added to her busy schedule. She says her voice is a nice fit for jazz, and she performs a variety of music depending on particular events and locations, but her strongest musical attraction is to the flamboyant and flowery presentations on Broadway.
"Those kind of shows involve acting and singing, and I like them both," she says, while her mom adds that Brandi's size and strong voice will keep her in the mix for Annie roles for some time to come.
Brandi expects the recognition and the lessons provided as the 2011 SING! champion to provide yet another boost for her career, and with plenty of pageants and appearances ahead, providing more opportunities for talent scouts and agents to witness her talent first hand, the small blonde with the bright smile sees no reason to stop her quest— no matter how far — to reach for the stars.
