By Chris Spiewak
RUMSON — There’s more than one way to attend the 58th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles this month. And Rumson Fair Haven High School student Shannon Corsi has found a way.
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences honors the best singers, songwriters and musicians every winter, and if an artist just happens to be one of the best in the country in their respective category, they’re invited to make the trip. Another equally difficult route is via competition hosted by The Grammy Foundation and MusiCares, in their Teens Make Music contest. For Rumson Fair Haven Regional high school student Shannon Corsi, her third place finish in this competition – out of hundreds of entries from around the country – assures her a seat at The Staples Center in LA this coming Monday, Feb. 15. “I’m thrilled to be going to the Grammys with my Mom.”
As a child, Shannon was always singing. She began taking vocal lessons at age 10, and was accepted as lead vocalist into the Count Basie Theatre’s Rockit program when she was 12. The next year, she began collaborating with fellow student Michael Arrom and formed the group “Cobalt Blue” to perform as a duo at functions in the New York/New Jersey area. At age 15, she was one of 16 high school students accepted into the NYU Clive Davis Future Music Moguls program, a 12-week course that gives students insight into all aspects of the music business. Immediately following that experience, she was accepted into the Grammy Foundation’s “Grammy Camp,” an intensive 10-day program with other songwriters and vocalists in NYC. With continuing success at such a young age, Shannon then decided that her “hobby” would indeed become her career, and she continues to study music theory as well as honing her already amazing skills on the piano.
Shannon’s confidence and focus belie her 17 years of age; conversing with her, one can easily envision a recent college graduate instead of a high school senior. While many teenagers are unsure about their future, Shannon has been fortunate enough to realize her passion, and talented enough to put a fledgling career into motion.
The Teens Make Music contest required entrants to compose an original song and/or music video that celebrates life above the influence of others, or brings attention to the consequences of substance abuse. Her song “Trailblazer,” with an accompanying video produced by her as well, reminds young people to carve their own niche in life, maintain a positive attitude and not fall victim to the influences of others. Shannon had just a month to put her entry together – from idea conception, to lyric composition, to song recording and finally video production. To view her Grammy-attendee winning work, visit Above the Influence to view her Grammy attendee winning work. “It was a challenge putting it all together in 30 days,” she said.
Of course, guidance is always needed, and much appreciated, along the way. Shannon credits friend and mentor Debbie Puth of Rumson, whose Berklee-educated son Charlie is a great songwriter himself (he is nominated for three Grammy awards this year, at age 23), Rumson Fair Haven HS music director Bill Grillo, and close friend Shoshana Swell. Without their assistance, along with the strong support from her parents Linda and Peter, Shannon may not be where she is today. A scholarship awaits her at the Belmont University School of Music in Nashville, Tennessee, but Shannon is a patient woman. Applications at several prestigious major colleges have been dispatched, so it is just a matter of time which institute of higher education is lucky enough to have Shannon grace their campus, as she continues down the road to success in the music industry.
Chris Spiewak, the bassist for Rock/Blues cover band VyntEdge, writes Rock Review for The Two River Times
