Elizabeth Perry Dreams Of Having Her Songs Heard Round The WorldMarch 19th, 2008
By Tammy Gray-Searles
“I want my songs to be heard everywhere,” said 13-year old Elizabeth Perry of her desire to attend American Idol Camp.
Elizabeth, an eighth grader at Holbrook Junior High School, was one of the first 100 applicants ac-cepted for the 2008 session of the camp.
An offshoot of the popular television show, American Idol Camp teaches youth age 10 to 15 new music skills, and gives them a chance to perform in front of a real audience. The idea is to encourage the young-sters’ love of music, and to encourage them to continue writing music, singing and performing.
Elizabeth has been writing her own songs for the last two years. She wrote her first tune before she even knew how to play a guitar. Sitting down with a friend, she composed lyrics and a simple tune. According to Elizabeth, she received such a positive response that she decided to take guitar lessons and begin learning more about music.
Over the last two years, Elizabeth has completed about a dozen songs, and has possibly hundreds of uncompleted tunes that vary from small ideas scribbled on napkins to complete scores that just need a little polishing.
“Sometimes I have to hurry and get out of the shower, or I’m in the middle of Denny’s and I have an idea and I have to stop and write it down,” Elizabeth says, noting that she can’t force an idea to come, but often has more than she can write.
Elizabeth describes her work as “life music,” and explained that she tries to write songs that will inspire and encourage. She has two folders she keeps her works in, one for Christian music and one for songs that offer encouragement from one young girl to another.
Her mother, Melissa, noted that when she first bought Elizabeth a guitar, she thought it would be a temporary infatuation.
“I didn’t even pay much attention to it at first,” she said.
Following a performance at her church that moved the congregation to tears, Melissa decided that it was time to take Elizabeth’s passion seriously.
Elizabeth is determined to follow her dream, and so when she heard about the American Idol Camp she decided it was a good opportunity to learn, grow and meet people who could help guide her songwriting.
The camp will last for two weeks, during which time Elizabeth will have no contact with the outside world, and will be immersed in music instruction. She will receive lessons from industry professionals, and at the end of camp will perform on stage with her fellow campers.
The cost to attend the camp is nearly $3,000, and Elizabeth and her family have been busy raising funds. They will be holding several fund-raisers in the upcoming months.
To help Elizabeth attend the camp, or to learn more about her music, contact her mother Melissa at 241-1748.
Go to www.AzJournal.com to see video of Elizabeth performing her music.
 Photo by Tammy Gray-Searles
Elizabeth Perry, an eighth grader at Holbrook Junior High, was one of the first 100 applicants to be accepted for the 2008 American Idol Camp. The camp will teach Elizabeth the skills she needs as she continues writing and performing her own music. She has been writing what she terms “life music” for two years, and her dream is to have her music heard around the world.
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