Loading ...Somerset Student Selected to Sing for Assembly Inauguration
Dana Carlson
MADISON –Dana Marie Carlson of Somerset was selected to sing the Star Spangled Banner for the Wisconsin State Assembly Inauguration Ceremony on Monday, January 5th upon the recommendation of Rep. Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake). Dana is a junior at Somerset High School and has lived in Somerset all her life with her parents John and Roberta Carlson.
“It was such an honor to have the 28th Assembly District so beautifully represented at the inauguration ceremony by Dana and her musical talents,” said Hraychuck. “I am always impressed with how talented the young people from our district are, and I was proud that we could showcase those talents with a statewide audience during this important day,” continued Hraychuck.
Dana began singing formally in fifth grade with the Somerset Middle School Choir, but said that her musical roots go back further. “Music is the passion of my life! There has always been music in our house, whether playing on the radio, or my mother singing while she cooked, or my parents’ friends coming over to music jamboree with all their musical instruments. It was great, growing up with all the music around me,” said Dana.
Currently Dana is involved with the Minnesota Opera in a yearlong study of operatic music called Project Opera. She has also been in band since fifth grade, and has participated in a number of solo/ensemble competitions and honors choir. She attended the Lutheran Summer Music Academy in the summer of 2008, and has also sung for the Wisconsin Lions Governors Ball in Siren. She is very involved in her church choir and often will sing for special programs and ceremonies.
Dana is planning to attend college after graduating from high school, where she would like to focus on Vocal Performance as well as Choral Directing. In addition, she hopes to minor in musical theater, opera performance or both. “Eventually, I would like to become a choir director for a group of talented young people, but that will come later. I am also planning on attending seminary to study ministry, for that is another one of my passions,” said Dana.