Cecilia Funk knows how to light up a room with her voice. And now, the Hicksville High School sophomore will get the chance to light up Chicago with her coloratura soprano vocals as she heads to the Classical Singer Competition in May.
Funk made it to the national competition after being selected as a first round finalist during the live Classical Singer Competition at Hofstra University. The Chicago competition is the second round.
“There are a bit of nerves, but I’m mostly excited to share my singing,” Funk said.
The Hofstra competition was the first singing competition Funk had ever been in. But she’s no stranger to music. Funk grew up in a musical family and said she has been singing since she was a child.
“I’ve been around music all my life,” Funk said. “I started voice lessons when I was younger and have been singing ever since.”
Classical music is a unique choice for a high school student, but Funk said she’s dedicated to the art.
“The music is just beautiful,” Funk said. “I love listening to it and singing it and seeing the work I put into it. It’s a very rewarding process.”
Some of the challenge lies in the language. Many of the songs Funk sings are in Italian, a language foreign to her. But she says the more she sings different pieces, the easier the pronunciation becomes. The technique that accompanies classical singing is also difficult to master.
“Classical singing takes a lot of practice and technique,” Funk said. “You have to breathe deeply so you can sustain the singing. It takes a lot of practice.”
Twice a month, Funk heads into the city to take voice lessons. She’s currently preparing the new pieces she’s going to sing in Chicago. But having her songs down pat isn’t all that matters.
“I’m trying to get in the mind frame. I’m going in with a positive attitude, not expecting anything but knowing I’ve worked hard,” Funk said. “I want to look at the experience more than the outcome.”
