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The typical progression is talking then singing.
For Adalia Edwards, the two occurred almost simultaneously.
“I began singing when I was able to talk,” said Edwards, a junior. “There are videos of me singing when I was 2 or 3 years old. My sister, who is two years younger than me, is watching.”
Edwards has been singing ever since, often with her mother, Jaennette. On Wednesday, May 3, Edwards’ voice impressed the audience and, more importantly, the judges at Boonton’s Got Talent, earning her first place in the competition.
“I was very surprised,” said Edwards, who was rewarded with a trophy, gift cards and a T-shirt for her performances. “I went against some very good people.”
Edwards took to the microphone to sing “Never Enough” from “The Greatest Showman” and later was part of a group that did “Ex-Wives” from “SIX,” a play about the wives of King Henry VIII.
“Never Enough,” sung by Loren Allred in the 2017 movie, is a favorite of Edwards and her mom.
“It has really good meaning to it,” Edwards said. “Ever since I heard it, I wanted to sing it on stage in front of an audience. My mom and I sing it all the time in the car. We blast that song.”
“Ex-Wives” was a combined effort and featured Edwards, Leala Mills, Emma Blanchard, Alex Tracy, Leilani Carreno and Hailey Tuohy.
“I was drafted for that one,” Edwards noted.
Ms. DiTrolio, a judge along with Ms. Pino, Ms. DeOrio and Mr. Young, was dazzled by Edwards’ ability to “hit the high notes” in “Never Enough.”
“It was unreal,” DiTrolio said. “Adalia has excellent stage presence. She’s really good at it.”
Although Edwards has not had formal voice training, she plans to take lessons and attend a performing arts college in the future. Hitting the high notes comes naturally.
“They’re hard to sing,” Edwards said. “You can either sing them or you can’t. You can be a soprano and go high or an alto and go a little lower.”
Her choice of music? “Singable songs,” especially slow ones. Edwards prefers top hits to older songs.
Edwards is comfortable being on stage and in front of audiences. She developed an interest in dancing when she was 2. She was invited to a birthday party at a dance studio in Wayne, became hooked and took lessons in hip hop and jazz. A few years ago, she switched to The Performing Arts Academy.
Two months ago, Edwards showed off her high level skills in “Footloose,” BHS’s spring musical, taking on the role of free-spirited, fun-loving Rusty.
In addition to being involved in the drama club at BHS, Edwards takes part in tennis (first doubles/third singles) and track and field.
