[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” padding_mobile=”off” fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.51″][et_pb_fullwidth_image admin_label=”Fullwidth Image Divider” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/WUNC_divider_web2.gif” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ saved_tabs=”all” \/][et_pb_fullwidth_image admin_label=”Fullwidth Image” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/JessicaAllen__1_web-e1497641791607.jpg” animation=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” border_style=”solid” alt=”Mary Mikels was 7 years old when she heard the soundtrack to \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d for the first time.” title_text=”Mary Mikels” \/][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ title_font_size=”40px” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|27px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n
Juana Mikels still remembers the day she discovered her daughter\u2019s talent for singing. Mary was 7 years old and heard the soundtrack to \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI could hear this voice booming out of the room. I had to open the door because I could not tell if it was Julie Andrews or if it was Mary,\u201d Juana says. \u201cAnd it was Mary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Now, Mary Mikels is 20 years old and wants to be the next Blind Idol.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt could open up some doors that I might not be expecting and it could turn my whole life around,\u201d Mary says.<\/span><\/p>\n Blind Idol is a live event where legally blind singers compete to win $1,000 and studio recording time. This year\u2019s final will be on August 12 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Mary has qualified.<\/span><\/p>\n Anastasia Powell helped found the competition three years ago. She too is legally blind, and a fan of the popular TV show American Idol. Blind contestants, she thought, have some unique challenges on stage and could use their own space to compete.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cVocally, we\u2019re on the same level,\u201d Powell says. But, \u201cwhen people are at concerts, sometimes the biggest thrill is not what they sang. It\u2019s how they performed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Powell says blind contestants find it difficult to navigate the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_audio admin_label=”Audio” audio=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/JessicaAllen_Final_2.mp3″ title=”She\u2019s got pipes \u2014 now she wants to be the next Blind Idol” artist_name=”Jessica Allen” album_name=”Next Gen Radio” image_url=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/edited.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_color=”#7EBEC5″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/JessicaAllen__2_web.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n Mikels reads the lyrics of a song in braille. It normally takes about two weeks to order and receive the songs she wants to sing in braille. (Jessica Allen\/NextGenRadio)<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n \u201cSighted individuals have the benefit of being able to work a stage and doing all the dancing and performing and props, and [for] people who are blind, that\u2019s challenging.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Initially, Powell thought Blind Idol would be a large talent show for residents of North Carolina. It\u2019s not televised like American Idol, but it has grown. This year, contestants hail from other states as well, including Delaware and Utah.<\/span><\/p>\n Mary will be one of five finalists in <\/span>the August 12 live show<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for me to win this competition,\u201d says Mary. \u201cThis is a livelihood that I\u2019m hoping to get into.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Mary is the youngest of four children, and grew up in a household where her siblings played musical instruments. She took lessons in piano and violin, and became interested in singing by listening to Christian music.<\/span><\/p>\n After winning a singing competition in middle school, Mary began performing at football games, churches and weddings. Now, she\u2019s aiming for even bigger stages.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was my uncle and my aunt that inspired me to really think about singing and doing this kind of thing as an actual career,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n This summer, Mary plans to take a three-week voice program at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts. She has big dreams for her future \u2014 including an audition for NBC\u2019s competition show, America\u2019s Got Talent. She has auditioned before, but didn\u2019t make it. With more experience and Blind Idol under her belt, she feels ready this time. The show begins auditions late this year for its 13th season.<\/span><\/p>\n In the meantime, Mary is learning Italian to perform the aria \u201cO Mio Babbino Caro\u201d in August. She isn\u2019t nervous about the performance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOne thing I really hope that people will understand is that just because you have a disability, that does not mean that you can\u2019t do something that everybody else can do,\u201d says Mary, \u201cSuch as getting up on stage and belting it out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Mary Mikels would major in voice at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts this fall. The story has been changed to reflect more accurate information, and we regret the error.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/JessicaAllen__4-1.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n Mikels as a child pictured with her mother.<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/JessicaAllen__5-1.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n Mikels with one of her favorite singers, Susan Boyle, after her concert.<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/JessicaAllen_6.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n Mikels with violinist Joshua Bell.<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” disabled=”off” disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ global_module=”376″][et_pb_fullwidth_image admin_label=”Fullwidth Image: Divider” global_parent=”376″ src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/WUNC_divider_web2.gif” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”off” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”off” background_color=”#0073ae” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ global_module=”375″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”375″ background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image: site logo” global_parent=”375″ _builder_version=”3.0.51″ show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”http:\/\/wunc.org\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” src=”https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/06\/nextgen_logo_web2.png” animation=”off” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” global_parent=”375″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n We are finding, coaching and training public media’s next generation. This #nextgenradio<\/strong><\/a> project is created in partnership with North Carolina Public Radio WUNC. Learn more about Next Generation Radio and upcoming programs<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” global_parent=”375″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow admin_label=”Social Media Follow” global_parent=”375″ _builder_version=”3.0.51″ link_shape=”rounded_rectangle” url_new_window=”on” follow_button=”off” background_layout=”dark”] [et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” skype_action=”call” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/officialnextgenerationradio\/” bg_color=”##52BDEC”]Facebook [\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”twitter” skype_action=”call” url=”https:\/\/twitter.com\/nextgenradio” bg_color=”#00aced”]Twitter [\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network] [\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Juana Mikels still remembers the day she discovered her daughter\u2019s talent for singing. Mary was 7 years old and heard the soundtrack to \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d for the first time. \u201cI could hear this voice booming out of the room. I had to open the door because I could not tell if it was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"coauthors":[28],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/188"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":791,"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/188\/revisions\/791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wunc2017.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}FOLLOW US<\/h4>\n