Ten-year-old singing sensation with Nelson roots, Aza Deschamps needs some good old Heritage City support
By Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson and area residents helped make it a slam-dunk for Whitewater Ski and Red Mountain in Powder magazine’s Ski Town Throwdown competition.
The Heritage City made another push during the Main Street Matters Paint contest before losing out to Penticton.
Once again the region is being asked to rush to the computer mouse, this time to cast a vote for the granddaughter of a Nelson family in her push to win the grand prize of the BC Valley Voices Vocal Competition talent search contest.
Aza Deschamps, the granddaughter of Regional District of Central Kootenay Area F Director Ron Mickel and wife Carol, reached the top 15 of the BC Valley Voices Vocal Competition and needs support to continue her drive for stardom.
“Aza isa super talented little girl and there are many more like her out there,” said Aza’s mother Sarah Mickel from Revelstoke.
“She has a sparkle in her beautiful ten-year-old eyes. And when she sings, she can light up a room with her smooth, rich voice full of texture and soul.”
Sarah Mickel, the daughter of Carol and Ron Mickel, was born in Nelson and graduated from L.V. Rogers High School in 1995.
After leaving Nelson in 1995, Sarah married husband Shane Deschamps before giving birth to Aza in 2002.
It wasn’t long before Aza took to music, memorizing Jack Johnson songs at two years of age, and then graduating to play the piano at seven and trans positioning music the very next year.
“I think she feels music, I don’t think she could ever really stop singing, playing or hearing rhythm in everything she does,” said mother Sarah Mickel.
“Aza has been tackling the guitar for a few short months and has decided that it is her favourite instrument.”
The Valley Voices Vocal Competition (VVVC) contest, in its fifth year, is “dedicated to the development of young talent”.
The VVVC contest website said the intent of this competition is to instill hope in those who may not otherwise experience the realization and possibility of living their worthwhile dreams.
“At a class performance last year, Aza wowed her classmates by singing a short solo and hasn’t looked back since,” said mother Sarah Mickel.
A panel of judges will make the final determination after a live performance on August 2 in Abbotsford.
However, the public gets a chance to show its support by voting for Aza during the competition’s online fan voting segment on August 1 at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=269061663233332&set=a.269060159900149.1073741830.100462660093234&type=1&theater
To help Aza get to the next level, fans are asked to like her on the Valley Voices Vocal Competition Facebook page.
The grand prize includes a recording contract with Studio Downe Under, a complete artist development package from Darcy D Music Group, Sessions with world-famous voice coaches Dave Stroud (who works with Natasha Beddingfield, Cee Lo Green and Adam Lambert) and RAab Stevenson (who works with Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Kelly Rowland) and other opportunities.
The runner-up receives a trophy and a two- hour consultation with Fair Wend Entertainment Services. The finalist in each category receives a Vocalize U prize package.
“We are really reaching out to our communities to help her get as many votes as possible,” said Sarah Mickel.
“This segment isn’t really the most important, but it is giving the judges an idea of who is able to capture an audience and create hype the best.”
For people needing proof before believing, check out Aza acing a recent recording of “Fix You” by Coldplay at http://www.facebook.com/l/MAQEJEvWbAQFinS7ModAnQUtKWBIJWWdNWM_DEJWs3YkY_Q/www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEue6tKZVA
After seeing this child phenom in action, you’ll want to pick your jaw up from the ground, rush to the computer and vote for Aza.
