Young Rockville Centre vocalist reaches for the stars — and beyond

A passion for music, years of practice and more than a little talent combined in July as Rockville Centre native Quinn Lysaght become a finalist in what has been billed as Long Island’s answer to the top singing competitions.

“They called it Nassau County’s American Idol,” Lysaght said. “Being in the top 25 was like getting a ticket to Long Island.”

In what was only her first singing competition, Lysaght wowed the judges enough to land a third place finish in Nassau County’s teen singing contest, Reach for the Stars. The finals, which took place on July 30, involved 25 contestants down from an original audition pool of 64.

Although Reach for the Stars had been Lysaght’s first time before the judges, she is by no means a newcomer to the musical world. Since performing in her first show, “Miss Saigon,” at age 6, Lysaght has dazzled Rockville Centre audiences with performances as Annie in the play of the same name and Marta in “The Sound of Music.”

“I’ve been singing ever since I was little,” said Lysaght, now 13-years-old. “I was in Time to Shine, a program for young kids to perform and [I] take classes for acting and singing and dancing.”

One of her favorite performances was as Little Cosette in South Side High School’s highly acclaimed performance of “Les Miserables,” when she was in sixth grade.

Lysaght enjoyed the play so much that during her finalist audition, which took place at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park, she sang “On My Own,” from the hit Broadway musical

For her original audition, Lysaght sang “Journey to the Past” from the play “Anastasia.”

When Lysaght heard her name called out as the third place finalist in Reach for the Stars, she said she felt a mix of emotions. “I was really, really happy, but I felt a little discouraged, of course everyone wants first place,” Lysaght said. “There’s always room for improvement and I just have to keep trying and not stop.”

For placing in the competition, Lysaght received gift certificates, a gift bag from Dylan’s Candy Bar and, of course, a trophy. But Lysaght is already looking beyond the competition.

Her goal throughout all the practicing,, performing and competing is one shared by many young teens. “My biggest dream is to be on Broadway, or in movies,” she shared. “I’m just going to keep going, because that is what I have to do to succeed.”

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