As I grew I continued to explore musicals and contemporary music. When I was 13 I was introduced to classical music and auditioned for Juilliard Pre-College. Now in a completely new genre I tried to grasp the differences and I wanted to learn from someone who was a crossover artist. This is how I happened upon Audra McDonald. I became so interested in her career and I would continuously listen to the musicals she performed. She is still my idol. I still remember the day my mom called me in the middle of the day and told me I was finally seeing her live. Going to her concert was a life changing experience. I went through a full range of emotions that night. This song, “I’ll be Here”, grabbed my full attention and by the end I was in tears. I had never experienced one person being able to take you through an entire journey within a few minutes. This has to be my favorite song she sings.
Kander and Ebb: I’ll be Here
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Soprano Shereen Pimentel from New Jersey is a second-year student at The Juilliard School studying with Edith Weins. She made her Broadway debut at 9 years old when she was cast as Young Nala in The Lion King. In 2016, she was invited to attend the International Meistersinger Akademie in Germany. She has also performed at the Frankfurt Opera House Operngala. This year she performed in the Juilliard Spring Opera production of Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor. At Juilliard, Ms. Pimentel is a part of the Gluck Community Service Fellowship program. Her ensemble group performs in hospitals and health care facilities across New York City. She is a 2015 Young Arts Merit Winner for Classical Music. Additionally, Ms. Pimentel was the winner of the 2016 Schmidt Youth Vocal Competition and 2017 Vocal Arts Management Youth Vocal Competition.
This song blows me away. Does exactly what it sets out to do and she sings it beautifully. Who wrote it?