A crapshooter, Judah from the Bible, and a homicidal plant, senior Jonathan Kirby has done it all. After spending his whole high school career deeply engrossed in the world of tenors and sopranos, Kirby has decided to continue his music at Interlochen Center for the Arts. 

  “I plan on doing a gap year at Interlochen Center for the Arts for classical voice, hoping to go into vocal performance in college,” Kirby said. 

  His intentions to train in classical voice, more commonly known as opera, come from a lifetime of growing up around music, and time spent in his school years involved with choir. 

  “Growing up, I’ve always been in a family who likes to sing and show expression that way. And, going from middle school choir all the way through high school choir, it has been just a long journey. That’s always been something that I enjoyed,” Kirby said. 

  However, although Kirby holds steadfast in his musical confidence, it took time for him to grow into a musical machine. According to theater director Minda Nyquist, Kirby’s musical confidence took time, but it was worthwhile to watch him evolve into a musical legend. 

  “Jon has always been quite, kind, [a] little shy, didn’t really talk very much. And […] wasn’t necessarily totally comfortable on stage. You know, didn’t really know what to do or how to feel confident.[…] In the last two years, he’s really just come, so far with his confidence, and finding his style and his voice on stage,” Nyquist said. 

  Kirby notes that his involvement in music extended outside of his personality and into his daily life. Due to him finding confidence in his music, he’s changed in both personality and sense of fashion.

  “I find I have definitely gained more artistic feeling to the way I dress. I sing just about all the time, so people probably get annoyed with me a little bit. It has had the largest effect on me just in the way I act, and I’m very whimsical,” Kirby said.

  Jon’s musical ability has evolved to the extent that he was recently selected as one of the top 20 high school vocalists in MI. His choir director Erich Wangeman notes how far he’s come, from a timid singer, to a decorated artist.

  “He was just a quiet kid in general, never sang out very much, and now he’s such an amazing singer. He actually is one of the top 20 high school vocalists in the state […] So he’s turned into an incredible singer,” Wangeman said. 

 During his time at Interlochen and in college, his mentors hope he will maintain a dedication to doing what he loves. They also ascertain that his talent will bring him anywhere. 

 “I just hope he continues doing what he loves, and that no matter where that is, and I know that with a voice like that, he’ll be able to do whatever he wants,” Nyquist said. 

  All of Kirby’s musical instructors have high hopes for him and speculate that one day he may make it to the Great White Way. 

  “Maybe we’ll see him on Broadway someday,” Wangeman said.