THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508160159
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
Andrea Marie ``Aundie'' Moore has a lofty goal.
``I want to be a diva,'' the 15-year-old daughter of Glenda and William Moore said. ``I want to be the youngest person to ever sing at the Met (New York Metropolitan Opera).''
The rising Indian River High School sophomore is determined to make her dream a reality.
She has performed with the Centerstage Children's Theatre, studies opera with the Governor's Magnet School for the Arts and was one of the youngest performers to sing with the Virginia Opera Adult Chorus, singing during its 1992-93 season in productions of ``Don Pasquali'' and ``Excerpts From Die Fledermaus.''
Moore was chosen for the Chesapeake All-City Chorus and won a top money award from the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission in 1992. She was first-place national winner for the National Association of Negro Musicians in both 1992 and 1993.
Last March, Moore, along with four other local girls from the Governor's Magnet School for the Arts who call themselves Nia, sang Bill Withers' hit ``Lean On Me'' on Black Entertainment Television's popular ``Teen Summit's Fifth Annual Talented Teens Showcase.''
And just look at her most recent triumphs.
She was the featured soloist at the national convention of the Zeta Phi Beta National Sorority, held July 13-16 at Washington, D.C., and went on to capture a fourth place finish and Miss Congeniality title at the international Hal Jackson's Talented Teens Pageant held at the Apollo Theatre in New York City on July 27.
Moore's convention performance took place at the national sorority's 75th anniversary celebration. She sang a program of spirituals including ``Amazing Grace'' in front of over 1,600 delegates and members from throughout the United States.
``She got a standing ovation at one of the Saturday performances,'' Glenda Moore said proudly.
``It felt really good,'' Aundie Moore said. ``I was very, very nervous before going on but they always treated me like a first class diva.''
Moore had already sung at the sorority's annual regional awards dinner last February. That event's honoree - Emma G. Harris, who has been Moore's voice teacher since 1988 - arranged for her to sing at its national convention.
``I sang at the convention to honor her,'' Moore said. ``And to be invited to sing there is a big honor in itself.''
As soon as her Washington, D.C., convention performance was over, Moore traveled back to her Georgetown home to meet with her chaperone, turn around and fly back up to New York City to prepare for the Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International competition.
She became eligible for the international talent competition by winning the state title on May 21.
In New York, Moore spent a week practicing the event's dance routines and polishing up her own talent spot. Her work and talent paid off after she made it through the pageant's Top 10 and later Top Five finalists picks.
She went on to win the Miss Congeniality title, voted by the contestants themselves, and an overall fourth place finish, after competing against girls from all over the country, Europe, Africa and South America.
For her win, Moore took home trophies and a $500 scholarship.
``Virginia had not placed a contestant in the top 10 or top five finalists in many years,'' Glenda Moore said. ``So this was an excellent finish.''
``To sing at the Apollo Theatre, where so many other famous stars have performed, was such a thrill,'' Aundie Moore said. ``It was a packed house.''
Moore won points from the judges for her dramatic monologue on gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and her rendition of ``Amazing Grace.''
Both the convention and competition appearances were the result of encouragement and urging from Harris.
``I knew she had the God-given talent to do well at both events,'' Harris said.
Harris knows what she's talking about. The lauded and honored long-time Chesapeake music teacher has trained many young voices during her long career. Recent Harris success stories include Sean Petersen, who has made a name for himself with the Virginia Opera, and Thomanita Boothe, who has already found national success with the Walt Disney company, having performed as one of its new Mouseketeers.
Harris rates Moore as one of her top students. But when she first came to her, she said her young student was a bundle of energy with a raw voice that needed polishing.
``When she first came to me she was just all chest tones,'' Harris explained.
``Mrs Harris gave her voice beauty,'' Glenda Moore said. ``I'm stunned by Aundie's range.''
``Now, oh Lord, you should hear her,'' Harris added. ``When she sings she sounds like a combination of Marian Anderson, Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle. She has phenomenal range. She said she wants to be the youngest diva at the Met. With her talent, I think she can do it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Andrea Marie ``Aundie'' Moore, an Indian River High sophomore, wants
to be an opera diva.
by CNB