For Lexie, music wasn’t always the center of her world—but once it found her, it never let go.
“I have always been interested in music, but I don’t think I really started listening to and singing music until sixth grade, when I sang in our school’s award ceremony, and it just stuck ever since,” she reflects.
That single moment—standing up and singing in front of others—sparked something deeper than she expected. What began as a small step quickly grew into a lasting passion. Soon after, Lexie joined River Dell chorus, a decision that would shape her middle school years and beyond.
“At first I joined chorus in sixth grade and I’ve done it ever since. It’s a lot of fun and I love learning new songs every marking period.”
Chorus became more than just a class; it became a space where she could grow, experiment, and feel connected to music in a meaningful way. But Lexie didn’t stop there. Encouraged by curiosity and a desire to spend more time with her brother Hunter, she decided to take on a new challenge: the school play.
“I joined the school play so that I could try something new and spend time with my brother.”
That decision pushed her far outside her comfort zone.
“I was actually terrified going into my audition for the play, and it was a major challenge for me to be so vulnerable because it’s not like sports—it’s a completely different situation when you’re singing in a room to two people.”
Unlike chorus, where voices blend together, auditions required her to stand alone—not just as a singer, but as a performer. Despite her fear, Lexie persevered. Over time, what once felt overwhelming began to shift.
“I was really nervous at first, but then I just realized that this is supposed to be fun, and that’s what I’m going to do—have fun with no judgment.”
That shift in mindset became a turning point, allowing her to embrace the experience rather than fear it. Now part of the spring production of A Chorus Line, Lexie plays Bebe Benzenheimer, a character who mirrors some of her own early insecurities. Bebe is shy and uncertain, yet determined. Meanwhile, her brother Hunter plays Paul, making the experience even more meaningful as they share the stage together.
“The show we are doing is A Chorus Line; no one is ever alone,” Lexie says. “Singing by yourself is a lot more vulnerable and nerve-wracking; however, with a group the pressure is off and you can just relax and have fun.”
Being part of a cast has helped her find confidence not only in her voice, but in herself. Through rehearsals, Lexie has also discovered unexpected joy—especially in dance.
“My favorite moment so far has got to be the dance rehearsals. We are always learning, and it’s such a cool experience.”
Each practice brings growth, pushing her to improve in ways she never imagined. Beyond technical skills, music continues to serve as her emotional anchor.
“Singing makes me feel relaxed and happy. I love singing the songs from the show or just singing random songs with my friends in the cast.”
It’s in these moments—unstructured, joyful, shared—that her love for music feels most alive.
Looking back, Lexie sees just how far she’s come.
“What I’ve learned about myself during this process is that I am actually a lot more capable than I thought. I never knew I could act, but now I am able to go up on that stage and say all of my lines perfectly. It’s really cool how far I have come and how much my acting, singing, and dancing have improved.”
From a sixth-grade performance to the bright lights of the stage, Lexie’s journey has been one of courage, growth, and self-discovery. What started as a quiet interest has grown into a passion that continues to shape who she is—one performance at a time.
