Young singer chosen for All-State Choir

It was part of the 2013 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention.

Adewunmi, an alto and member of the Summer Creek High School Choir, made it through four rounds of exhausting auditions and beat out thousands of music students from throughout the state for a slot in the prestigious ensemble. She was no stranger to the audition process, having made it to the last round of auditions in 2012 before being cut.

"I made it to the last audition with only three spots to go, but unfortunately, I didn't make the choir," Adewunmi said. "Going into the audition process this year, I was very confident that I was going to make it. I just had to hope and pray and believe in myself."

She also has the added distinction of being the only Summer Creek High School student ever chosen to perform with the Texas All-State Choir. It's a dream come true for Adewunmi, who developed a passion for singing at a very young age.

"I first started singing when I was around 2 -- since I could talk -- but I first started choir in the fourth grade and from then on, it's just been an ever-growing passion," Adewunmi said.

Members of the Texas All-State Choir attend the four-day 2013 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention, which features more than 1,000 exhibits, 300 workshops and 60 performances.

When she's not concentrating on her schoolwork or performing with the school choir, Adewunmi enjoys reading and writing. She is also involved with various activities at her church. After graduation, Adewunmi hopes to attend Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University or the University of Houston to pursue degrees in speech pathology and music.

"I really like to read, and I love to write," Adewunmi said. "I also participate in my church choir - I'm very involved with church and the children's ministry."

For more information on the Texas All-State Choir, or the 2013 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention, call 281-641-5469 or visit www.tmea.org/convention. You can also connect with the Texas Music Educators Association on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

ABOUT Seyi Adewunmi
AGE: 17
OCCUPATION: Senior at Summer Creek High School
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Humble resident
FAST FACT: Adewunmi has been singing along with artists such as Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin since she was young

Megan Mattingly-Arthur is a freelance writer. She can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.