OCEAN CITY – Born and raised in Ocean City, 26-year-old Rebecca Young was born with music in her blood. Young, the daughter of a music teacher, started her journey young. As soon as she could speak she began singing.
“Our house was filled with music every minute of the day,” stated Young. Fluttering around her house with her mother listening to all the classics from Mozart to Chopin, Young’s passion for the arts began.
At age 6, Young began piano lessons, by age 14 she was learning the flute and cello, and began dancing at the Ocean City Community Center. Young continued with her passion taking private vocal arts training and perfecting her craft.
In high school she was a soprano soloist touring with Young Cape Singers, singing in the All-State Choir, performing in the Youth Opera Company of South Jersey and drum major for the school marching band.
Young went on to West Chester University where she would graduate Suma Cum Lade in Vocal Performance. Her life forever changed on her first day back to college of her senior year. Young’s mother, her role model, and lifelong inspiration passed away from brain cancer.
On that final day, she sang their favorite song, “The Sound of Music” to her mother. She was unresponsive for a full week, but Young reached for her mother’s hand holding tight as her voice filled the room. After the song, her mom gripped her hand and said “Sing. Always.” “I will. Always. I love you mom,” replied Young.
Four hours later her mother died. At that moment, Young vowed to celebrate her mother’s life through music and to let nothing stop her from pursuing her dream.
Shortly after her mother’s death, Young moved to New York City determined, not only for herself but for her mom and hoping to inspire all artists who have faced difficulties.
Young pushed forward every day to make her dream become a reality, auditioning, practicing, and rehearsing morning, noon and night.
Within two months Young received a contract for her first performance.
Today Young works full-time living her dream and keeping her promise to her late mother. She is considered a triple threat working not only as a singer but model and dancer. Her impressive resume includes modeling as a real American Girl Doll and performing at Carnegie Hall.
Young loves sharing her story in hopes to encourage others, no matter what struggles you face, never give up. Her advice, not only to artists but to everyone:
- “Live your dreams, follow your dreams and inspire your dreams.”
- “Failures are experiences and trauma is rebirth.”
- “Become the person you’ve always wanted to be.”
Young performs her first solo concert June 30 and collaborated with Lewis Brown Studios releasing a music CD May 15.
To contact Johanna Hovik, email jhovik@cmcherald.com.
