NEW PALESTINE — While most 18-year-old teens are preparing for college, Sydney Paige Armstrong, whose stage name is Sydney Paige, is in hot pursuit of a musical career.
Armstrong, a New Palestine native, hit the studio this year to record her second album, a follow-up to “Fool’s Gold,” a four-song contemporary country showcase released in February.
She graduated a year early from New Palestine High School in 2015 just so she could get a head start chasing her dream.
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While Sydney never played an instrument as a child, her parents, Brad and Tara Armstrong, were the king and queen of karaoke, she said. Hearing her parents’ joy as they sang instilled a love of music in her at a young age.
Sydney participated in show choirs throughout middle and high school. She’s been taking music lessons from her instructor, Todd Blower, since she was in seventh grade. He encourages his students to reach for lofty goals, but only if they have the ability, determination and commitment.
“I’ve had a lot of students who want to do what Sydney is doing, but they wouldn’t put time and effort into doing it, but she does,” Blower said.
She has a great sense of melody and innate song-writing ability, he said.
“Her voice is super clear, she doesn’t strain when she sings,” he added.
Sydney is not only learning how to use her singing voice, she’s also learning how to play different instruments and write songs, thought she’s been composing since before she could write or read, she said.
“I’ve always had songs in my head,” she said.
While Sydney worked with Blower to create her first CD, they both feel she’s learned about all she can from him and now needs to take the next step.
They’re both hoping her next CD will be produced at a larger studio, with professional engineers.
Sydney is currently living in Brown County, where she plays as often as she can.
She knows her next step is to venture to an area where she can play several times a week. Nashville — L.A. — who knows?
Becoming a professional singer is a long shot, but Armstrong feels she is a diamond in the rough.
“I know it’s a one in a million shot, but why can’t that one be me?” she said.
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Sydney Paige Armstrong’s music is available on Google Play, iTunes or anywhere music can be downloaded. For more information or to book a gig, visit www.facebook.com/sydney.paige.music/ or sydneypaigemusic.com.
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