Caitlin Ford
Hometown: Scituate, MA
Singing: Someone Like You By: Adele

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“As long as I can remember I have been singing. I really don’t know what made me start. I gained an interest in song writing, however, around the age of 16.”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs? And why do you like them?
“I guess you would classify it as “indie folk” and “indie pop”. I also really enjoy folk punk, and hardcore. My favorite performers are always going to be Regina Spektor, Florence Welch, Laura Stevenson, and Andrea Estella. They are all amazing singers, with unique styles, their music is what inspires me.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“Getting accepted to Berklee. Or playing Penny Pingelton in Hairspray at Company Theatre.”

How do you like to spend your free time? Do you have hobbies?
“I act a lot, perform in musical after musical. I love ballet and yoga. I get tattoos often. I also enjoy eating, a lot. I also work with children, which is usually fun.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“I feel as if a lot of singers don’t sing from their souls. That’s why I love Adele, Florence, Regina, all of them. They sing from the core of their being, they put all of their feelings out there in their music. I do that same thing.”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day?’
“I’ve worked so hard my entire life to get where I am. I was self taught until last year. I taught myself how to sing by listening to my favorite singers, and I taught myself piano by listening to Regina Spektor and locking myself in my basement with a tiny keyboard. No one helped me other than myself. I earned the roles I have played in musicals, and then I was taught techniques by my directors. I earned my acceptance to The Hartt School where I had formal vocal lessons, and I earned my acceptance to Berklee. All I have wanted and cared about my entire life is music.”

Shedrick Gavin
Hometown: Roxbury, MA
Singing: Number One by: John Legend

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favoritesongs? And why do you like them?
“I enjoy singing and listening to gospel music the most. I especially like “More Like Jesus” because I love to hear this soprano sing with such conviction. I’m not a fan of all gospel music but I know when I hear something I like, like the Chicago Mass Choir.”

Who would you say has most inspired you?
“My inspiration comes from within. I started loving myself and everything else seemed to fall into place.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“I would love to have a Peer Specialist job in the Department of Mental Health.”

Please tell us a story about yourself- it can be inspiring, funny, an embarrassing moment, a memory you cherish most, or when you realized you wanted to be a musician. (Doesn’t necessarily need to be music related but it can be!)
“The Department of Mental Health and VinFen filmed a documentary on me entitled Shedrick UNSCRIPTED. It’s about being homeless and mentally ill. It will be shown on March 2012 at the annual Massachusetts legislative breakfast.”

How would you describe your musical style?
“I sound like John Legend but I am more like a male version of Mary J. Blige in terms of singing the right note. I mean that I am rough around the edges in terms of singing but I can move a crowd if and when I really get into the song.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“I would love to be singing alongside r&b stars my age: Usher, John Legend, Tank, R. Kelly, and the list goes on and on.”

Caitlin Ford
Hometown: Scituate, MA
Singing: Someone Like You By: Adele

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“As long as I can remember I have been singing. I really don’t know what made me start. I gained an interest in song writing, however, around the age of 16.”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs? And why do you like them?
“I guess you would classify it as “indie folk” and “indie pop”. I also really enjoy folk punk, and hardcore. My favorite performers are always going to be Regina Spektor, Florence Welch, Laura Stevenson, and Andrea Estella. They are all amazing singers, with unique styles, their music is what inspires me.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“Getting accepted to Berklee. Or playing Penny Pingelton in Hairspray at Company Theatre.”

How do you like to spend your free time? Do you have hobbies?
“I act a lot, perform in musical after musical. I love ballet and yoga. I get tattoos often. I also enjoy eating, a lot. I also work with children, which is usually fun.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
“I feel as if a lot of singers don’t sing from their souls. That’s why I love Adele, Florence, Regina, all of them. They sing from the core of their being, they put all of their feelings out there in their music. I do that same thing.”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day?’
“I’ve worked so hard my entire life to get where I am. I was self taught until last year. I taught myself how to sing by listening to my favorite singers, and I taught myself piano by listening to Regina Spektor and locking myself in my basement with a tiny keyboard. No one helped me other than myself. I earned the roles I have played in musicals, and then I was taught techniques by my directors. I earned my acceptance to The Hartt School where I had formal vocal lessons, and I earned my acceptance to Berklee. All I have wanted and cared about my entire life is music.”

Stephanie McCarthy
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Singing: Feeling Good By: Michael Buble

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“I have been singing since I could talk. My Mom always knew I was sick I wasn’t singing.”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
“I went to American Idol camp when I was 14. It was a life changing experience.”

How would you describe your musical style?
“People tell me that I have a ‘belting voice.’ It’s funny because my persona is completely the opposite. I’m always scared that people with think I’m awkward or weird, so I don’t express myself. Singing and ‘belting’ helps me show the world who I am.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“I have met with Sony Records headquarters in New York City and I have gotten into my dream college, Berklee College of Music.”

“Why do you deserve to be the next Star of the Day?”
“I deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day’ because I work so hard for what I do. Dealing with epilepsy is hard enough, trying to make it as a singer will make my life worthwhile.”

How would you describe yourself to someone who does not know you?
“I am a quiet, almost awkward 18-year-old who suffers from a seizure disorder. I am a strong willed person and I will never give up on my dreams until I get there.”

Stephanie McCarthy
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Singing: Feeling Good By: Michael Buble

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“I have been singing since I could talk. My Mom always knew I was sick I wasn’t singing.”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
“I went to American Idol camp when I was 14. It was a life changing experience.”

How would you describe your musical style?
“People tell me that I have a ‘belting voice.’ It’s funny because my persona is completely the opposite. I’m always scared that people with think I’m awkward or weird, so I don’t express myself. Singing and ‘belting’ helps me show the world who I am.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“I have met with Sony Records headquarters in New York City and I have gotten into my dream college, Berklee College of Music.”

“Why do you deserve to be the next Star of the Day?”
“I deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day’ because I work so hard for what I do. Dealing with epilepsy is hard enough, trying to make it as a singer will make my life worthwhile.”

How would you describe yourself to someone who does not know you?
“I am a quiet, almost awkward 18-year-old who suffers from a seizure disorder. I am a strong willed person and I will never give up on my dreams until I get there.”