FRESH FACES SPOTLIGHT:


MYRA:  America's Latest Diva In Training


by Sarah Lounges


     Myra, America’s newest 15-year-old teen dream says that the recording of
her debut national album was “a dream come true”.   And why shouldn’t it be?
 

    Myra’s debut CD which came out June 26th features her hit single –
“Miracles Happen” – from the movie “The Princess Diaries.”  Also on her
album is her own version of the Martha Reeves’ Motown classic, “Dancing In
The Street,” which was featured on the “Recess: School’s Out” soundtrack.

    And don’t forget... This talented teen was also was featured on the “102
Dalmations” movie soundtrack covering “Puppy Love,” a teen hit in the ‘50s
by Paul Anka and again in the ‘70s by Donny Osmond.

    Myra’s CD features all sorts of musical styles.  It’s flavorful pop. “I
grew up listening to all kinds of music,” Myra told me in a phone interview
last month.  “From rock to R&B to Salsa to Mariachi, I just love different
flavors and rhythms.”

    Myra is not a cookie-cutter type of pop artist, although she gets a kick
out of being mentioned in the same breath as Christina and Britney.

    “A lot of people compare me to Christina (Aguilera) vocally, but I really
don’t mind it, because that a good place to be.  But I always want to be
myself and only myself, I’d like to be recognized as myself, as Myra, and not
as ‘that girl who sings like Christina,’ not ‘the girl who looks like
Selena.’  I always want to have my taste and my flavor in everything I do. I
just want to be me.”

    Using an array of writers and producers has resulted in an album that
aptly reflects Myra’s musical taste.  Guy Roche, Shelly Peiken, Diane Warren,
Narada Michael Walden, Keith Cohen are among those who contributed to this
freshman CD.  “I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from
all these really great and talented people,” Myra says.  “We’ve worked hard
and created an album I’m proud of... now I can’t wait to get out there and
perform these songs live!”

     Myra promises to have quite a live show. When she hits the stage she
means buisness!  She has four back up dancers and a well choreographed
routine.  “The first time I walked on stage to perform I was like – ‘Oh,
God!’  I felt weak in the knees, I felt like I was going to throw up and I
had to go to the bathroom...I was really nervous.”

     Myra has moved on from that first performance to share the stage with
many of today’s pop sensations, including Aaron Carter.  “I  toured with
O-Town for awhile , then I performed with Mark Anthony.  I’ve also performed
with the A*Teens and Leslie Carter.”

     A lot of musical artists tend to eventually try their hand at acting in
movies, but Myra is not wasting any time getting to the big screen.  “I just
got a small roll in the Disney movie ‘Max Keeble’s Big Move,’ which comes
out October 5th in theaters.”

     While Myra is fairly new in the music buisness, she does have a valuable
piece of advice ready to offer young musicians wanting to make it big. 

    “You have to go out there and do your thing first.  You can’t just be
sitting around, praying and wishing that you could be a big music star or
whatever you want to be.  You have to go out there and do something for
yourself first.  Then, if you’ve got what it takes, someone will recognize
you, see the talent you have, your determination and be willing to help you
out.”