by Gary Powell
Kenna Chris was 11 years old when she first came to my studio. She was a tiny thing, sweet, slightly shy, but completely present. I often do vocal assessments for anyone who aspires to seriously consider singing as a career or as an important part of their lives. I was taken with Kenna’s pure tone which was obviously still clear of artificial weight or forced volume. I don’t know what other’s might have heard in that small pure tone, but for me it was simply heaven. She is 14 now and Kenna, along with her parents and I, have lived a three year adventure of coaching and developing Kenna into quite the good singer. The beautiful tone has not been lost and there is none of that screaming taken as singing on television. But, this young voice is in rapid development, changing quickly, with the size of her voice and musicianship continuing to grow in healthy ways with measured values. When Kenna sings “Angel Dust for Two,” I hope you can still hear what I heard in her 11-year old voice in 2008.
“Composer’s Choice” and “Aristotle’s Prayer.”
Kenna’s Performances & Training
Kenna Chris on YouTube
Kenna singing “A Change in Me” in the Studio
Kenna has been active in the Austin theatrical scene. For Kids Acting in Austin she has sung the role of Patty Simcot in Grease, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Elphaba in Wicked. For >TexArts she has performed in Silent Night, Direct from Broadway, Cats, and School House Rock. Kenna sang Summer Lovin’ in Surf City at Zachary Scott Theater Center. The Travis Heights Fine Arts Academy cast Kenna in the roles of Ado Annie in Oklahoma and Molly in Annie. For Camp Broadway in New York City she performed the song Magic in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and spent one special night on television singing in Akina Adderly’s small children’s choir on-stage with Andrea Bocelli in his PBS Christmas Special filmed in Houston. Kenna has been consistently training as a dancer with the Ballet Austin Butler Community School with private dance classes in Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, Broadway Dance, Ballet with Boo Ruiz. Kenna continues her vocal training across all styles and genres with vocal producer Gary Powell in his Austin recording studio.