Finding her place in the spotlight

Senior Febe Huezo is standing center stage, rehearsing for West Side Story in Blair's auditorium on Mar 20. With both hands clasped to her heart, she sends her voice out over the practically empty seats as she croons "A Boy Like That." Many of Blair's thespians, scattered about the theatre house, are silently captivated until Huezo hits the last note.

Whether taking on showtunes, gospel or neo-soul, Huezo's sweet, melodic soprano voice tends to leave listeners in an awed surrender.

In one of her last musical stints in high school, Huezo appeared in Blair theatre for the first time on West Side Story's opening night, Mar 28. Huezo, who leads the cast as Maria, says she initially had little interest in musical drama, but the enticing plot of West Side Story compelled her to audition. "I told myself I would try out, just for fun," she explains.

Participating in this spring's musical has expanded Huezo's acting skills. Besides skits for Sankofa, a Blair organization that holds annual shows based on the celebration of African American heritage, Huezo had no prior experience in drama. Kelly Newman, director of West Side Story, says that despite Huezo's theatrical inexperience, she caught on quickly to stage movement and dramatic timing.

For the past two years, Huezo has been showcasing her vocal talent around the Blair community through Sankofa productions. For the Mar 8 Sankofa show, Roots and Branches, she participated in the neo-soul segment, contributing a live rendition of India.Arie's "I'm Ready for Love." Huezo also co-directed a Blair gospel choir for the show.

Huezo started performing at age five when she participated in the youth and kids choir at United Pentecostal Church. Huezo says she has surrounded herself with music because of the faithful support she receives from her parents. "They aren't passionate about singing, but they have been there for me," Huezo says.

Huezo's parents, however, are not the only source of support. Friend and fellow West Side Story cast member junior Maya Jackson says the emotion with which Huezo sings evokes an indescribable response from her audience. "She delivers the full show," Jackson says. "You can feel the song as she sings."

Huezo's talent in varied styles of music is heavily influenced by her outside-the-box personality, says senior Rosa Lozano, co-president of Sankofa. "In my opinion," Lozano says, "she's creative not only in singing but also as a person."

Huezo modestly says that she is unaware of the effect her singing has on people. "Compliments are unexpected to me," she explains. "I'm usually concentrating too hard to notice how well I do."

Huezo's musical craft could lead to success in secular music, but she dreams about the road less traveled for most rising artists: Christian music. Her fantasy is to become a gospel singer.

Although Huezo is not sure whether to pursue music as a career in college, she knows she will keep performing because, as she says, "singing is my life."