Farmingdale Songbird Brings Home the Bronze

Farmingdale senior Tracy Severino won a bronze medal during a recent international music competition, where she was a member of the United States Olympic Vocal team.

"It was a great feeling to represent Farmingdale and the country at the same time! And to compete and win against singers from all over the world was an amazing experience," said Severino.

Severino's ride to fame began last year. With encouragement from Farmingdale High School Choral Director Michelle Lindsley, she sent in an audition tape for a national competition. She was accepted and placed sixth out of all competitors and vocal categories from the East Coast in the 1997 Performing Arts Association Competition. As a result of that outstanding performance, she received a special invitation from the judges to be a member of the United States Olympic Vocal Championship Team.

This month, along with her teammates from around the country, Tracy sang against the best voices in the world. She performed in the Pop/Broadway category singing songs from Les Miserables and a Mariah Carey selection. Those renditions heralded her the bronze.

"We are very proud of Tracy's accomplishments. I knew in May before the first competition that she had it in her to win. She made Farmingdale proud," said Lindsley.

The international competition was held in Los Angeles, and judged by a panel of 20 people including prominent agents, record and television producers, and actors. Severino wasn't nervous - she had worked hard with her choral director and prepared with her father who is also a singer.

"I was ready for the competition. I had a lot of support from Ms. Lindsley and my father. Performing is something that's in me, and I love to do it," said Severino.

Now Severino is looking forward to the rest of her senior year, and hopes to study law at SUNY Buffalo. When asked if she would like to pursue a career in the performing arts she said," Being in the courtroom is performance."