Fine Arts Student of the Week: Singing equals happiness for senior

Cole Pederson

Grade: Senior.

Age: 17.

Art focus: Brainerd High School A Cappella and Windfall

Adviser nomination: "Cole's positive attitude and willingness to take risks make him an exceptional leader in choir. Other students sing more confidently because of Cole. His presence is always felt, and it is a positive presence."

Artist most admired: Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese film director.

Other fine arts activities: Theater.

What do you enjoy about singing: "The expression you get from the music. It's like a fluid flow of emotions you feel through the music. I started choir in seventh grade. I really love singing, but I didn't join right away. I came from Pillager and then started at Forestview and I waited until I felt more comfortable with school. I made it into A Cappella as a junior."

How do you stay positive: "I enjoy singing, it's not a downer. If you are down it can shift your mood. We will be singing a song and you have to be happy for this song, it's the whole delivery of the song. ... You don't even have to be told it is a happy song, you just know it is a happy song."

Favorite music genre to sing: "I love to sing jazz because you can really get into it. You get moving."

How do you lead others: "I try not to rely on people to get the song right. I figure it out on my own and they follow. Some students are loud and others go with them (to be in tune) and some go out on their own to get the right tune. If someone messes up I yell in their ear. It's a collaborative thing and if we're wrong we can figure it out as we go."

Message to others: "You don't have to be a good singer to try out for A Cappella Choir. If you really like to sing you should try it out."

Dream job: "To be a voice actor, to do voice-overs. It would be fun if people would say, 'That is a cool voice.' I'm not camera shy, I just think it would be cooler to do voice-overs than to be an actor."

After high school plans: "I plan to take a break for a year and figure out what I want to do. I don't want to waste money on college if that is not something I want to do. Honestly, I'm not sure what I would want to be, maybe something in English or art stuff, I haven't critically thought of what I want to do."

Favorite TV show: "Over The Garden Wall."

Favorite book: Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Favorite movie: "Howl's Moving Castle."

Favorite band: Hall and Oates.

Favorite restaurant: "Rafferty's, especially their Hawaiian pizza, if I had to pick a restaurant, but honestly I would rather eat at home. At home, I like homemade soup."

Parents: Chris Pederson of Baxter and Dondi Jonelle of Brainerd.