Student Spotlight: Pamela Kurpiewski

Pamela Kurpiewski walks through the halls of the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, waving hello to passing classmates. She seems shy at first, but when her theatrical voice carries through drama teacher Mickey Stone’s classroom, she gives everyone goose bumps. "

The 14-year-old has been singing as long as she has been talking — her uncle made a recording of them singing together when she was just 3 years old.

Pamela played Carmen in SSAS’s production of “Fame” last year, and she recently landed the lead role of Ariel in the school’s production of “The Little Mermaid.” She also won this year’s Tiger Idol, a school-wide competition like “American Idol,” with teachers as judges and students as voters.

“I just love (singing); it’s my passion,” says Pamela. “It helps me express my feelings.”

Pamela, who takes vocal lessons several times a month, has also made a music video to the Taylor Swift song, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

Next year, Pamela will enter the Visual and Performing Arts program at Booker High School, but not before she takes a shot at the big leagues. Pamela will travel to New York with her parents later this year to audition for the singing competition “The X Factor. “