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Albee takes musical skills to teaching career

By Jon Therrien
NL Staff Writer

30 April 2008 — Rosewood High senior Cristian Jacob Albee, known by his friends as "C.J.," has always wanted to be a music teacher. Next fall, he will be studying at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).

Albee lives in Rosewood with his mother, Amber Powell, and her husband, Bryan Powell.

"I've always loved music," Albee said.

When he was in the fifth grade, Albee began his career as a musician with violin lessons. He explained that violin did not work out, so the next year he started taking piano lessons and "completely fell in love with it."

His sophomore year in high school, chorus teacher Lisa West told him he was going to begin singing.

Ms. West said she had taught him when he was in the seventh grade and remembered his voice from middle school.

She added that she saw his potential in middle school, but didn't realize what a good musician he was until he got into her class.

"He's grown a lot since then," Ms. West said. "He constantly works really hard. He is probably the most talent musician I've ever taught."

He has been on the North Carolina Honors Chorus for two years in a row.

Ms. West said C.J. is the only Wayne County High School student she knows of, to be in Honors Chorus for two years in a row.

Ms. West said over 1,000 students audition for the 165 spots in the honors chorus.

According to Albee, the song for honors chorus was posted in September; then interested participants had to audition. Once a person makes it on the honors chorus, they are then given a packet of music to learn on their own. The members of the chorus have one day to practice together.

Last year the honor chorus performed in Winston-Salem on November 11.

Albee has also been a part of the All-County Choir. His sophomore year he sang in the All-County Choir and his junior and senior years he was the choir's accompanianst.
Additionally, he also joined The Third-Century Singers in Goldsboro.

Though he usually sings bass, Albee said he is a tenor for The Third-Century Singers.
Albee said that he has done some concert for the school and has done two weddings.

He is not sure which grade level he would like to teach. "Right now I think high school or middle school."

He added that there is not much he is nervous about, in becoming a teacher. "The biggest thing for me is with all the stuff… school shootings.  They will probably happen again."

Two summers ago, Albee attended a music camp at UNCG. It was then, he said, that he decided to become music major.

He has auditioned and been accepted in the both programs at UNCG to become both a vocal and piano major.

About his favorite composer, Albee said, "I like Bach, but probably Brahms."

His favorite piece to play is "whatever I am working on."

Recently, Albee qualified for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows, a $26,000 scholarship loan from the state, a process he began in November of last year.

Albee said he was interviewed locally by a panel of judges and qualified for a regional interview. The application process also included an essay on his favorite book, Wicked.

Albee said he received a letter on April 4 stating that he had received the scholarship and he was  "excited." However, after discussing the scholarship with another music major who had previously received the scholarship, and discussing it with his mother, he decided to turn it down.

He added that he has some other scholarships and some financial aid.

Additionally, Albee and his girlfriend are trying to earn a scholarship from the makers of duct tape.

He and his girlfriend had both attended their prom in attire made out of duct tape.

He said he worked on his tux  "on and off since December."

When he is not playing music or doing schoolwork, Albee said he likes reading.

Albee said he has "written down a few things" though he has never written a song.

Ms. West said, "I'm going to miss him when he's gone, and it's been a joy for me to teach him."

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