Mia Dunlap fell in love with music at a young age, and she hasn’t looked back since. As the current music director for Cloud Nine, a member of Studio Vocals, and a vocalist for Jazz Ensemble, Dunlap has shared her passion for music throughout PHS and beyond. Although she does not plan on pursuing music as a future career, Dunlap is considering a minor in music alongside working towards her nursing degree
How did you first get into singing?
I’ve been singing for a while. When I was six, I started doing voice lessons. I really liked musical theater growing up … I’m from Alabama, and we did a trip to the city when I was younger, and we went to a Broadway show, and I just loved watching people perform and stuff, and so I wanted to do that … I used to have really bad stage fright … even when I was a kid. And so I got over that, and I would do my recitals and stuff, and I continued to do musical theater. I started that when I was nine [and continued] ... until I moved.
Have you ever played an instrument? If so, why did you choose to continue singing instead?
I play guitar. I’m not very good. My brother is a really good guitar player, so in comparison, I’m really amateur, but I also play piano. I took piano lessons when I was a kid. I’ve just been [singing] the longest, and … I think you have much more of a connection with the music when you’re the instrument … I think it’s much more personal than [playing an] instrument as a vessel for your music.
How do you prepare for all of your performances?
I struggle with nerves a lot. And that’s something I’ve had to work on … I think the best way for me to cope with that is practicing … I just make sure that I have everything down, and I’m ready to perform it how I want to perform it, or else I’ll second-guess myself, and then I’m a nervous wreck. But I think just practicing and making sure that I’m prepared and confident in my ability, that’s the best way for me to set myself up for success.
Do you prefer singing a cappella or with the band?
With the bands. I think a cappella is very unique, [and] I really like the part of arranging my own music a cappella and getting to hear that [music] kind of come to life. But I prefer the style of the jazz songs, and I think you can have a little more fun when you’re singing with the band, because they’re kind of doing their own thing … [and] it’s not as structured. So I enjoy that about bands.
How do you think your experience in Cloud Nine has changed after becoming the music director?
It’s a lot more work. I have realized how much work the past music directors have had to do, and I have much more respect for them. It’s so much work arranging music and scheduling all of the rehearsals and scheduling performances. But it’s super rewarding to hear that translate into an actual group sound … Once you kind of hear the actual people singing it, it’s really rewarding. It’s very fun to hear.
What is your favorite personal memory of singing in either Cloud Nine or in Jazz Ensemble?
The jazz combo I did my sophomore year. It’s part of Jazz Ensemble, but it’s a separate [small group]. It’s usually just instrumentalists, but they asked me to sing with them, and that was super fun … it was a lot of work, but we ended up placing third, which is really good for the Ensemble Combo. I got the judge’s choice award. I just was very excited, and I felt very cool to be a part of their little band kid group … It’s all [really] good memories.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to join an a capella group or become a band vocalist?
I would just say find your style. I think it’s very easy, especially now and especially where we are, to try and conform to a certain style … And I think it’s best to just kind of find that [style] within yourself and not really see that elsewhere … Just staying true to yourself, especially in your music, and not trying to be someone else or stylistically sound like someone else [is important]. Find your own style.