Lincoln Academy senior Cayleigh Hearth won first place in Division III at The National Association for Teachers of Singing competition on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Bates College in Lewiston.
Hearth has been singing since before she could walk, said her mother, Melissa. “When she was 18 months old she was in a dance performance dressed as a saloon girl with purple feathers and wouldn’t leave the stage,” she said. “We moved to Maine when she was 6 and she was Little Miss Muffet at the Waldo in ‘Babes in Toyland.'”
On Saturday, the competition was fierce, but for Hearth it is not about competing. “I grew up with many of these other performers,” she said. “We all support and encourage each other. We enjoy hearing each other sing and cheering for one another.”
She started vocal work in January with teacher Aaron Robinson. The two chose a repertoire that focused on range and vocal style. The program complimented Hearth’s strengths, yet also introduced her to a new approach and delivery.
“Cayleigh was interested in every new piece we studied,” said Robinson. “She may not have known how it would help her in the long run, but her devotion and commitment never faltered.”
For months, teacher and student experimented with three sets of songs. Choosing the right combination was crucial. “Directors wear out with hearing the same songs over and over,” said Robinson. “Finally we chose an obscure ballad: ‘Sandman’s Coming’ from ‘Randy Newman’s Faust,’ and ‘If You Hadn’t But You Did’ from ‘Two on the Aisle.'”
The heart-wrenching ballad, made famous by Liza Minnelli, is arguably one of the most demanding “patter” songs for a female in all of Broadway history.
At the National Association for Teachers of Singing competition, Hearth aced her first go-round. Due to the sheer number of talented competitors, a special runoff was held.
Six singers tied and had to sing again for a set of new judges to choose the top three. Hearth made it into the finalists.
An understandably nervous Hearth was up against last year’s first-place winner among the final three.
“She sailed through her ballad, ‘Sandman,'” said Robinson, “‘If You Hadn’t But You Did’ was spot on in the introduction, then she proceeded to completely forget the first three lines of the first verse.” In musical theater lingo. this is called “pulling a Liza,” referring to the many famous times Minnelli forgot her lyrics and covered up on the spot.
Just like Liza, Hearth never blinked. “She was seamless in her cover,” said Robinson, “back on by the fourth line, and straight on till morning. Cayleigh ended like Liza at Carnegie and Radio City combined and she brought the house down.”
Hearth was disheartened. “I knew people had noticed,” she said. “Was it noticeable?”
“Undeniably,” said Robinson.
Hearth was prepared for third place. When third and then second were called, it was clear that she had won the competition.
What Hearth did was more than place first in the competition, according to Robinson.
“She showed that a flawed performance can make memories and be a winning piece if you own the stage and believe the song,” said Robinson. “Cayleigh showed that stepping out on stage isn’t about singing perfectly – it’s about messing up sometimes and pulling a Liza and stepping up to the plate and knocking it out of the park.”
Hearth is looking at colleges right now, like many seniors. Most of her top choices are in the New York area. She won’t yet be 17 when she leaves for school, as she will be graduating much younger than most of her classmates. She isn’t quite sure what she wants to do yet.
“I love performing,” she said, “but I’d like to combine psychology and theater to help troubled kids.”
