by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
This July, Katelynn Leigh of Sartell will be sharing a universal language in seven European countries – the language of music.
Leigh is one of a highly select group of 4 percent of Minnesota students selected to be members of the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music Tour of Europe. Based in Plymouth, the organization chooses only the very best band-and-choir students based on a number of criteria, foremost among them musical abilities, good grades and maturity level.
The daughter of Kimberly and Ryan and Leigh, Katelynn is a sophomore at Sartell High School who has excelled in singing since fifth grade. Last year, her high-school concert choir toured and gave performances in two of America’s greatest musical cities – Memphis, home to Elvis Presley; and New Orleans, the home of arguably the greatest of all-American musical innovators, jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Next year, the choir will perform in New York City.
Katelynn, who sings soprano, is looking forward to touring and singing in the great European cities, too, but first things first: She has to raise $5,225 to pay for the trip. The family has already set aside $4,000 of the nearly $10,000 cost and is hoping it can raise the rest.
People may contribute to Katelynn’s trip at GoFundMe.com/94hsfqre. Or checks can be mailed to Katelynn Leigh, 802 11th St. S., Sartell, Minn. 56377.
The European countries the choir will perform in are England, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Italy and Germany.
“I couldn’t be a prouder parent,” said Katelynn’s mother, Kimberly. “She has her head on straight, she makes wise choices and I think she’s going places.”
Kimberly is also proud of her other children – Brandon, 12, an excellent piano player; and Cortney, 9, who excels at math.
Music-lover Katelynn Leigh took a selfie showing her and the “Johnny Cash” music note on the sidewalk of famous Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn. during her high school choir’s trip to that city last year. The Johnny Cash embedded “note” is one of many music greats along Beale Street.
Katelynn Leigh is currently raising money for a July choir trip to seven European countries through Minnesota Ambassadors of Music.
