Oakville teen performer keeps a busy summer schedule Isabella Lecomte will join Team Canada at World Championships of Performing Arts in California this July Other performances this summer include a stop at a provincial voice competition at the Kiwanis Music Festival in Peterborough between June 2-7 after earning her spot at the local event and an appearance at the World Championship of Performing Arts July 11-19 in Hollywood, Ca. by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 15 | Wednesday, May 14, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Young Oakville performer Isabella Lecomte keeps a busy schedule. When she's not in classes, the Grade 7 student at the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts splits her time between community theatre rehearsals, vocal lessons and, of course, homework. "It's a good kind of busy, I never get tired of it," said the 12-year-old, who lives in north Oakville. While she admits to being a bit sleep deprived, she said the stress and fatigue that comes along with her ambitions is rewarding each time she steps up on a stage. Isabella is sharing the lead role of Cinderella in Oakville's Stage It Performing Arts Studio's production of Cinderella, which opens tonight (May 14) and runs until May 17 at Mississauga's Erindale Theatre Studio, 3359 Mississauga Rd. She will be playing the lead role Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $25 for children. To purchase, visit www.juniorproduction.eventbrite.ca. Two weeks later, she'll be performing in Hamilton City Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Once you're on stage it's really wonderful because you just forget everything... You're just there to entertain everyone and it's fun. Oakville singer, dancer and actor Isabella Lecomte Oakville performer Isabella Lecomte at The Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts' Winter Ball, held at the Marquis Gardens Banquet Hall in Hamilton in February.| photo by Andy Yu Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., on May 30 and May 31. The show begins each night at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for seniors. For more information, visit www.burlingtonpac.ca. Isabella, who followed in the footsteps of her older siblings Olivia and Sebastian and began taking dance lessons before the age of three, learning ballet, jazz and tap, will be competing on Team Canada against more than 40 countries in classical music, pop, Broadway. She said she's thrilled about the opportunity to showcase her talent and will be meeting with her teammates in the coming weeks to find out more information about the competition. M A R T A P A C E K P E R F O R M S Art AUCTION The teenager said although she loves all aspects of performing, she's most passionate about singing. "It's a joy that can't be explained," said Isabella, who credits her vocal coach Jennifer Tung for helping her develop the talent. She intends to continue working on singing, dancing and acting as she works towards a career as a triple-threat performer. Her dream would be to starring in a production of the Phantom of the Opera, she said. Isabella said dancing and acting allows hers to be put in different situations, wear costumes and make up and pretend to be someone else for the day. She said she's simply in her element when she's up on a stage and is the centre of attention. "Once you're on stage it's really wonderful because you just forget everything," she said, describing the exhilarating feeling she has each time she performs. "... You're just there to entertain everyone and it's fun. All your stress just flies away and you're smiling, singing and in character and you're just performing like you've never performed before." Isabella will also be performing at Muskoka Opera Festival's Stars of Tomorrow concert in August and will be featured on one of the episodes of CHCH TV's Tiny Talent Time, which will premiere this fall. Oakville Galleries Centennial Square 120 Navy Street May 24th Doors open 7:00 pm Auction begins 8:00 pm Admission $15.00 Public Preview May 17th to May 24th Auction ticket includes entry to the live and silent auction, wine, hors d'oeuvres, music Australian alternative folk singer Marta Pacek will be dropping by Oakville tonight (May 14) to promote her new album Voodoo Dolls and False Alarms. On a tour of Ontario and Quebec, she will be performing at the Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. | photo by David Gilliver