By Deanna Harkel
Sitting at his kitchen table in the Scotch Run condominium complex, feet barely touching the floor, Ewing High School freshman Kerrion Upshur flashes a winning smile.
He has a lot to be happy about these days, it seems. Upshur, an upbeat and well-mannered 14 year-old, has been gaining recognition from around the state for being a talented up-and-coming singing sensation.
When asked about his introduction to singing, Upshur said, “I don’t really remember a time before I was singing. It’s just something I’ve always done, in the car with my dad or around the house with my family.”
All that time and energy has paid off. Upshur recently took home $1,000 and the first place title (10-15 age range) in Deborah Idol, a singing competition sponsored by Deborah Hospital Foundation in support of Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Upshur serenaded the crowd with an a capella version of John Legend’s “All of Me.”
Up against 11 other finalists in his age group, Upshur won the audience over with his smooth sound and positive attitude. He walked away with the coveted “Fan Favorite” award as well, voted on by those attending the event.
“I was very surprised,” Upshur said. “I really just focused on getting on stage, performing my best, and having fun. I was just happy to be a part of such a positive competition that benefits so many others.”
Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills hosts the competition each year with all proceeds going to patient care. They have raised about $12,000 through Deborah Idol over the past three years.
“We know it’s not an overwhelming amount, but it is much needed and goes to wonderful use,” says Tina St. John-Bialt, community outreach coordinator at Deborah and coordinator of the event.
Deborah is an 89-bed, world-renowned specialty institution offering diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients with cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular diseases. The hospital is unique in that, while accepting insurance, they do not ever bill a patient. Instead, funding comes from donations and fundraising events such as Deborah Idol.
“We haven’t charged a patient in 92 years,” said hospital spokesperson Donna McArdle.
The competition hit home for Upshur’s family.
“We have a relative who benefited from treatment at Deborah as a child. This was also personal for us,” says Upshur’s cousin and talent manager Tashieka Brewer.
Brewer, a communications industry veteran and current publicity director at Melange Public Relations helps find auditions for Upshur, who has been actively seeking out competitions for about a year.
Earlier in October, Upshur took third place (13-19 age range) and a $100 prize at Trenton’s Big Easy Teen Talent Showcase held at The Big Easy, 120 S. Warren Street. Using a backup track, he belted out Sam Cooke’s 1964 hit “A Change is Gonna Come.”
“Whenever I’m getting ready to get out on stage I just relax, breathe, and pray. I try to stay calm and remember to just do the best that I can,” said Upshur.
That routine has worked for him so far, and he will continues to utilize it as he seeks out future competitions. Upshur will be heading to New York City to audition for the upcoming season of America’s Got Talent and eventually plans to compete on television shows like American Idol or The Voice after he turns 15, the minimum age requirement for contestants.
Waiting until he is 15 also offers Upshur the chance to work more with his vocal coach, who has made a huge impact on his vocal strength and ability to read music.
“I’ve been learning about things like changing sounds by raising or lowering my soft palate.” Upshur said. “I’ve also learned a lot about breathing techniques and how important they are for vocalists.”
Another part of training as a music professional includes learning how to bounce back from disappointments. Recently, Upshur had the opportunity to audition for Showtime at the Apollo and, afterwards, was not selected to continue on in the competition. It is through the support system of his coach, manager, and family that he is able to keep his focus and strength during these setbacks.
His father, Terence Upshur, an officer with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and mother, Cheri Upshur, a 5th grade special education teacher in East Brunswick have made it very clear that they will support him in all of his future endeavors.
“As long as education comes first,” his mother laughs.
Education is taken very seriously in the Upshur household, which also includes Upshur’s three younger siblings, twin brothers Michael and Jeremiah, 5, and sister Hope, 3. It’s evident that academics are priority, and family conversations about college and majors are frequent.
“I haven’t decided what I’m going to major in yet,” Upshur said. “My favorite subject in school is definitely algebra, I really like math. I also like psychology and music. I’m thinking about going to college in Michigan or maybe Florida.”
In his free time, Upshur enjoys being involved with his church, Trenton’s Lighthouse Outreach Ministry. He also loves basketball and baseball and is a big Miami Heat fan. Upshur has played both sports in community leagues throughout his youth and he will be trying out for the Ewing High School basketball team later this year.
But still, music holds a special place in Upshur’s heart. When asked about his music idols, he rattled off names like Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and John Legend.
His dad laughed, “I have an old soul. As you can see, so does my son.”
At Ewing High School, Upshur is the only freshman member of the Mastersingers, an auditioned choir that performs musical styles ranging from classical to pop to jazz. The group rehearses once a week and sings at school and community events like Ewing Township Patriot Day Ceremony and TCNJ’s Community Fest.
He is also a member of the Greater Princeton Youth Choir, part of the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. The choir, under the direction of Jennifer Sengin, is comprised of singers from grades 8-12 and the repertoire includes pieces in a variety of musical styles, genres, and languages such as Latin or Hebrew.
“I really enjoy that choir because I get to interact with kids from all over. It’s fun to meet new people who share my interests, and I like singing in different languages,” said Upshur.
As for the future, Upshur is just going to take it one day at a time. He’s getting ready for an upcoming performance at Deborah Hospital Foundation’s 9th Annual Red Tie Gala fundraiser at the Hyatt At Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. He will be singing John Legend’s “All of Me” again, only this time he will be backed by a 10-piece band.
“I’m not too nervous, just really excited,” Upshur said. “I’ve never played with a band like that before. I’m going to practice, practice, practice. I was always taught that. Hard work and dedication is what will get me far.”
,
