The Power of Music
PV freshman singer recently performed at Radio City Music Hall
Halley Jewett practices singing. Jewett is passionate about music and has used it to get through tough times.
Halley Jewett stands on the sprawling stage, heart beating rapidly in her chest. All around her eyes stare, gazing in anticipation. She shivers, but then an image of her grandmother’s wrinkled but smiling face flashes in her mind. She smiles widely, opens her mouth, and begins to sing “Peace” by OAR.
On Apr. 3, Jewett, a PV freshman, performed at Radio City Music Hall for the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s yearly charity event.
The foundation found Jewett and had asked her to perform at the event. This is one of the many events the organization does to fulfill its purpose, which is to help children with unfortunate circumstances follow their dreams. Six thousand people attended this particular event, as well as many celebrities such as the cast of “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” and the New York Knicks.
Jewett herself has had to fight for many years, due to scarring on the filters of her kidneys, which causes them to become overworked. Transplants, dialysis, and medication allow her to live a normal life.
However, the fight is made easier with the presence of music in her life.
She turned to music after the loss of her grandmother in 2010, which was followed by her mother leaving her life six months later.
Inspired by many famous singers such as Miley Cyrus, Jewett has been performing for ten years and even writes her own music.
“Music runs in my veins,” Jewett said. “It’s a part of me. It’s not what I do, but who I am.”
She has performed in many theaters, including the Rhino Theatre in Pompton Lakes, as well as many school theaters.
Jewett also hopes to one day attend Notre Dame University to major in zoology and minor in paleontology because of her love of animals.
“I hope to change the world in a way most wouldn’t see,” Jewett said.
