As a child, she sang songs and acted out scenes from Disney movies. Now junior Kelly Campion is a vocalist who has performed on the Benedum Stage.
“I would always sing and act out The Little Mermaid when I was little because it was my favorite Disney movie,” Campion said.
Flash forward to 2024, and Campion was nominated as a finalist for the Gene Kelly Awards for her performance of the Fairy Godmother in the school’s production of Cinderella.
“I had the opportunity to perform on the Benedum Stage and meet so many new people,” Campion said.
Campion has been singing around the house since she was 2 years old. Her first experience in organized singing was when she joined the children’s choir at her church.
Another source of inspiration came when Campion was in third grade. Mikayla Davic, a Class of 2019 grad, put on her own musicals benefiting the Make-A-Wish foundation while she was a Baldwin student, using actors from kindergarten through high school.
“I was in ‘Mik’s Wish’ productions at the high school, and watching the older kids inspired me to get better as I grew older,” Campion said.
Now she is in the Honors Choir and Baldwinaires at the high school.
Choir teacher Kris Tranter has noticed her talent.
“She has an incredible ability to connect emotionally with every piece she performs, making her artistry deeply personal and moving,” Tranter said.
In addition to high school theater, Campion has also been involved in South Park Children’s Theatre since 2017. Emily Lorence, the director there since 2015, enjoys Campion’s comedic timing and her portrayals of villains.
“(I enjoy) when she is able to portray a villain or mean character onstage, which she can do incredibly well, and then come off of the stage with a smile and her usual sweet attitude,” Lorence said.
Similarly, Tranter appreciated her performance as the villain in the high school’s performance of Matilda.
“As Trunchbull in the high school musical Matilda, Kelly brought such depth and nuance to the role, and her vocal delivery was breathtaking. It truly showcased her versatility and exceptional talent,” Tranter said.
In this year’s musical production of Percy Jackson’s Lightning Thief, Campion will play Annabeth.
“I’m really excited. I’ll get to try a different singing style this year. I am doing more of a belt this year instead of soprano singing style,” Campion said.
Junior Emma Underwood is also involved in South Park Children’s Theatre, and she and Campion became close friends there.
“I’m always so excited when I’m in the same cast as her,” Underwood said. “She is always super humble. She’s always nervous, like she doesn’t know she’s super great, even though she is.”
One key to Campion’s success, Underwood believes, is her approach to music.
“She thinks about music on a deeper level even when she is just listening to it,” Underwood said.
As for the future, Campion plans on minoring in musical theatre or voice in college. For her profession, she is planning on doing something involving English and literature.
“Music will always be incorporated in my life. I plan on still being a part of musicals and still singing in the future for fun,” Campion said.
Lorence believes Campion will succeed in whatever she decides to do.
“I have no doubts that whatever life has in store for Kelly she will take it on with kindness and a positive attitude,” Lorence said.
