“The most important lesson was realizing that with hard work, determination, and practice, I can do anything I set my mind to.”

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Some stories stay with us. They ring through rehearsal halls, echo in cathedral rafters, and linger in the quiet confidence that blossoms when a young singer discovers the full power of their own voice.

This month, we celebrate that kind of story—Chelsea DeLapp’s story. Chelsea joined Charlotte Choir School in eighth grade, unsure of her music theory skills but full of a fierce love of singing. Five years later, she graduated as a MasterSinger with a musical foundation that helped shape the trajectory of her life. Today, she’s pursuing a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology, yet the music—our music—still hums through everything she does.

Chelsea’s reflections remind us why legacy matters. Why tradition matters. Why the work we do—together—changes lives.

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A Late Start, a Big Leap, and the Promise She Made Herself

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When Chelsea walked into her audition, she carried a truth so many young singers know well: I love music, but what if I’m not good enough? She sat across from CCS founder Ben Outen and then–assistant music director Elizabeth Lenti, feeling the nerves rise as she saw unfamiliar music theory cards. She didn’t yet know what a whole note was. But what she did know—and what they saw instantly—was her grit. Her promise to work. Her spark. Chelsea remembers looking at them through tears and promising she’d catch up. Nine months later, after conquering a stack of theory levels, she kept that promise and joined the MasterSingers. That determination became a defining thread in her story.

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The Sound That Stayed With Her

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Ask Chelsea her most vivid memory and she’ll take you straight to Durham Cathedral: the ancient stone, the British summer light, her choir family breathing as one, and the soaring lines of Abendlied and Sicut Cervus floating into the space where centuries of voices had sung before them. She speaks of a moment when Ms. Lenti pulled her aside to simply listen—to hear the sound the choir was shaping together. Chelsea describes it as “magic,” the kind that settles deep in your bones and never leaves. That trip didn’t just mark a highlight of her CCS years; it became a touchstone for her musical identity. She still keeps a playlist.

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Moments That Moved Her Forward

Two performance memories rise to the top for her—moments that stretched her, steadied her, and whispered, you belong here:

- Singing Valediction in Durham Cathedral as the final piece of the choir’s residency.

- Co-soloing Ēriks Ešenvalds’ O salutaris hostia during a fall concert—a moment that nudged her toward pursuing music in college.

And beyond the music itself? “The choristers,” she says. “Their talent pushed me. Their support made rehearsals fun. They made me better.”

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How CCS Shaped the Path Ahead

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Chelsea is the first to say she wouldn’t be where she is without the choir school. The musicianship she learned here led her to double-major in psychology and vocal performance at High Point University, join multiple ensembles, complete junior and senior recitals, and ultimately graduate Summa Cum Laude in 2024. The confidence she gained here gave her the courage to pursue leadership roles in HPU’s Chapel & Religious Life. And the sense of community? That stays, too—bumping into alumni across campuses, across states, even across oceans. Today, as she works toward her master’s degree, she still longs for cathedral acoustics and sacred repertoire. She still plans to join a community choir. The music lives on.

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Lessons That Last

CCS taught Chelsea how to follow a conductor with precision, how to present herself professionally, and—maybe most important—how to lean into hard work without fear.

“That lesson carried me through college musicianship courses and so many challenges beyond music,” she shares. “I learned that I really can do whatever I set my mind to.”

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A Message to Today’s Choristers

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Chelsea hopes current singers savor every hymn, every cathedral organ swell, every tour, every robe, every moment. After graduation, she says, those opportunities become rare treasures. “Cherish the repertoire. Cherish the magic. Savor all of it.”

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What Being an Alum Means to Her

To Chelsea, being a Charlotte Choir School alum means belonging to something bigger—an ongoing legacy of excellence, creativity, and generosity of spirit. It means being part of a community of artists who enrich Charlotte with their voices.
It means carrying forward the transformative power of music.

And for us? It means celebrating the extraordinary young people who grow up in this program, who step out into the world as leaders, dreamers, and lifelong learners—still singing in their own way.

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Chelsea, thank you for sharing your story, and for reminding all of us what’s possible when a young singer is met with opportunity, guidance, community, and a whole lot of heart. Your legacy sings on—loud, bright, and full of promise.