Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – After the musical success Presque Isle High School senior Allisen Donovan has had this year, she may need to build a bigger trophy case.
Donovan recently returned home from the New York City Heritage Festival with one of its top honors, the Maestro Award, given to individuals for outstanding solo work.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
ALLISEN DONOVAN, a senior at Presque Isle High School, has had an exceptional year musically. This year she was a member of the All-Aroostook Chorus, All-State Chorus, All-State Jazz Choir, and she received the Outstanding Female Vocalist award at the State Jazz Festival. In addition, Donovan earned the Maestro Award at the New York City Heritage Festival, which is given to individuals for outstanding solo work. In the fall, Donovan plans to study music and theater at Dalhousie University.
“It’s been a good year for me,” Donovan said humbly.
According to Jay Nelson, SAD 1 chorus director, Donovan began singing with him as a sixth-grader.
“She’s always been a really disciplined and dedicated chorus student,” he said. “The past couple of years she’s made All-State Chorus, the Jazz All-State, and All-Aroostook every year since sixth grade, but this year she’s had just a remarkable year.
“She made All-Aroostook Chorus, All-State Chorus, All-State Jazz Choir, which is only 24 students in the entire state selected, and she also got the Outstanding Female Vocalist award for the State Jazz Festival,” Nelson said. “When we went to the New York City Heritage Festival this year, Allisen received an award that was created just last year that recognizes certain individuals who do outstanding solo work within a band, orchestra, chorus, jazz choir or jazz band, and she was one of only six students recognized for outstanding solo work in jazz choir. She’s had an outstanding year, and I’m very proud of her.”
Donovan said overcoming her shyness was a big step in her musical progression.
“I’ve always liked performing and being on stage, but in sixth grade, I was really shy and didn’t try out for any solos. In seventh grade I got a little more confident, and Mr. Nelson was teaching more and I increased my range,” she said. “You can’t really compare high school to junior high because the voices are so different, but skill wise, I’ve learned so much from then to now.
“What I like most about singing is the way you can make people feel the emotions that you get out of the music,” said Donovan. “It’s an adrenaline high knowing you can cause people to feel happiness with your voice or feel the pain in the song just as much with your voice just by standing there on stage.”
Donovan said she’s comfortable singing all genres of music.
“Classical songs are a little bit harder,” she said, “but my favorite is probably jazz. I’m also in an alternative band outside of school, so I like that genre, as well. I can read music, so for the most part I can tackle most songs.”
Nelson said Donovan’s voice has “really matured” the last couple of years.
“Her confidence level has been outstanding, too,” he said. “I’m really happy for her, and very, very pleased that, especially her senior year, she’s had such a great year musically, and I wish her the best with her musical endeavors after she graduates from PIHS.”
Donovan said she’s happy to have received so many honors this school year.
“It means a lot to me,” she said. “I was surprised both times to receive individual awards because there’s a lot of talent out there. It feels good to be acknowledged, and I owe a lot to Mr. Nelson for giving me the songs he’s given me and for teaching me what he has.”
In the fall, Donovan plans to study music and theater at Dalhousie University. The daughter of Linda and Tim Kelly and Kirk Donovan said she would like to continue to perform, as well as one day teach theater and music.
