By STEPHANIE BEKIC´
Topics staff writer
E-mail: sbekic@topics.com
INDIANAPOLIS - For Shonda Sue, singing country music on stage is simply doing what comes naturally. "I want to be a famous singer," the 14-year-old said, sitting in her Pike Township home. "I just like to sing. I've never really gotten tired of it. That's what I like to do. When you like to do something, you just do it a lot."
For many people, the path to vocal performance is through weekly trips to a teacher's studio, long hours of practice and years of perseverance. Shonda has a different story to tell. The young recording artist has never taken any singing lessons. "It's a God-given talent ... I've always been singing, ever since I was little. I could sing 'The Little Mermaid' before I talked," she said.
Shonda started singing with her church choir. At 8, she signed up for her first gig, right after she recorded her first country tape. Within two years, she added a gospel tape to her repertoire. Since then, she's released a country album and toured all the local festivals.
"The really busy season is the fair season - June through August -but I pretty much sing about every weekend. I sing everywhere - at all kinds of festivals, fairs, weddings and parties," she said.
In addition to rehearsing for her appearances across the Indianapolis area, Shonda also works on her academic education. She opted for home-schooling two years ago, to accommodate her needs. So far, she likes it. "I can get my work done pretty quick ... It's pretty hard work, but it's a lot better than going to school and having two hours of homework every night," she said.
Also, she practices singing two hours every day. A voice instructor helps her with her breathing and pitch but, for the most part, she works by herself, singing with an accompaniment track of her favorite songs.
"Singing is pretty much my job, although I don't consider myself professional," she said. "But I love to sing, so it doesn't feel like a job." When she's not studying or singing, Shonda hangs out with her friends. They meet at least three times a week at Speedway General Baptist Church, where she participates in various groups, including the Choir, Church plays, puppet teams and Bible study. But she rarely can squeeze everyday teen pastimes like going to the movies into her busy schedule. But, it doesn't really matter to Shonda Sue. "I chose to miss all that when I was 8," she said.
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Shonda Sue's Official Website designed by David C. Lannan, Emerald Jukebox Promotions & Creative Services