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New details:

There is a major new development in Paden’s drive to become a professional choral music composer and vocal music performer. She just got exciting news from Berklee College of Music in Boston. She’s been accepted to study there in the fall and been awarded a full tuition scholarship. Paden says that still leaves her to come up with a lot of money for room and board and fees. So a GoFundMe page has been set up for people who want to contribute to help with that. Go to http://www.gofundme.com/padenosburnberklee to find out how to do it.

Original Story:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Many local high schools recently put on their fall plays and musicals. The Fox 4 Young Achiever of the Week was the headliner for a very ambitious and interesting one. And she hopes one day soon that high school singers everywhere will be performing the music she creates.

With her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice ringing out clear, strong and emotional in the Winnetonka High School theater, Paden Osburn projects dazzling poise and power as both a singer and an actress.

“It’s not usually what I think of when I see myself on stage,” said Paden, “and I’m not going to get a big head about anything but I’m kind of easing into the fact that, hey, I am kind of talented, I am kind of good and and let’s see where this takes me.”

In rehearsal with her talented co-star Madison Dodd playing real life Siamese twin sisters Daisey and Violent Hilton in the fascinating musical Side Show, it’s evident Paden has something very special.

“The absolute commanding stage presence,” said Winnetonka High School theater director Sheri Coffman. “When she opens her mouth and begins to sign, it is with utter confidence.”

Coffman has marveled at Paden’s growth from small roles as an unassuming freshman to star turns the past three years.

“The musicality in that girl is something rarely seen at the high school level,” said Coffman.

Paden brings that same musicality and confidence to Winnetonka High’s top choral groups. She’s a two-time all-state vocalist who consistently earns superior ratings at district and state contests. And she studied at the prestigious Missouri Fine Arts Academy this past summer.

“It’s consistency, it’s drive,” said Jason Elam, Winnetonka’s choral music teacher. “She’s constantly evaluating what’s happening. It’s never being satisfied with, ‘Yeah, that was OK, I’ll go with that.’ She’s constantly looking to make that small adjustment, that little bitty improvement that’s going to make the difference and set her apart from other voices.”

This gifted, hardworking perfectionist creates music, too. Paden’s composed perhaps 100 pieces, most of them choral works, and some of them very complex with up to 10 parts.

“I love hearing dissonance and stuff,” said Paden. “I love hearing the harmonies and the complex chords. And I love creating them especially because it’s not hard for me because I can just hear it.”

The very day after closing in Side Show, Paden traveled to Chicago where she auditioned to attend the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to go as big as possible because if you don’t go as big as possible then you can’t complain about not getting there if you don’t try,” said Paden.

She wants to go to Berklee to focus on becoming a vocal performer and choral music composer.

“The first time that a choir sings one of my pieces will definitely be a huge moment in my life for me because it’ll be another affirmation that I’m on the right path and this is where I’m supposed to be and I’m heading in the right direction,” said Paden.

Growing in confidence and on a path to become as big in music as she possibly can.

You can listen to several of Paden’s choral compositions at http://padenosburnmusic.bandcamp.com/releases.

Paden has another interesting performing gig. She dresses up in a Griffin costume to perform as the school mascot at Winnetonka High sporting events and activities. And another thing students and staff at Winnetonka who know Paden well stress is that she is one of the nicest, most humble people you’ll ever meet and always steps up to help peers in theater and music classes. Paden will find out by January 31st whether Berklee wants her. Meantime, three other colleges or universities with very good music schools already have accepted her.

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