Like most people just starting out in their careers, Autumn Turner \u201914 is working hard to make her dreams come true. But unlike most, she\u2019s doing it on a national stage.<\/p>\n
Turner, an English teacher and an ice skating coach, is a singer at heart and in February she landed a spot as a contestant on this season\u2019s The Voice, a singing competition on NBC in which vocalists vie for a recording contract. During the initial round, the singers perform for four celebrity coaches in a \u201cblind competition,\u201d where the celebrities can\u2019t see them and choose them for their \u201cteams\u201d based solely on their voices. In the next stage of competition, the teams and vocalists battle it out on live television.<\/p>\n
Turner\u2019s performance of the Donna Summer classic, Last Dance, during her blind audition inspired all four judges to want her on their teams. Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine and R&B artist Alicia Keys both aggressively wooed Turner, who ultimately chose to join \u201cTeam Alicia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have similar vibes and thoughts about a lot of things,\u201d says Turner, who also liked that she shares an East Coast connection with Keys. \u201cEverything she was saying resonated with me, and it\u2019s how I speak to my students every day. I make sure that they\u2019re in it and they\u2019re happy, and she said a lot of the stuff that I say to them. That\u2019s what made me choose her. She\u2019s just so positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turner grew up singing in church and choir and went on to earn her bachelor\u2019s degree in English with a minor in musical theatre. Since graduating, Turner has worked as an English teacher and figure skating coach. She says her time at Montclair State helped give her a foundation for what she\u2019s doing now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved that the people and teachers there were really willing to help you and get to know who you are. We were always encouraged to give it our all and not be embarrassed if we messed up on something \u2013 that\u2019s how you learn and grow as a performer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turner says that\u2019s similar to how things work on The Voice, where the vocalists are \u201clike a second family\u201d despite battling it out with each other each episode. Add to that the opportunity to work with the talented musicians who serve as the show\u2019s coaches, and she\u2019s soaking up every moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe experience has been wonderful \u2013 it\u2019s like going to summer camp,\u201d says Turner. \u201cYou get to meet all of these wonderful new people who are helping you grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, although Turner started off on Team Alicia, Levine used one of his \u201csteals\u201d to bring her onto his team. Autumn\u2019s run on the show lasted until mid-April, but she doesn’t let the fact that she didn\u2019t win bring her down. She\u2019ll keep singing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really just want to do what I love and show people that you have to keep trying and trying until it happens,\u201d says Turner. \u201cI want to be able to put my music out there and show that hard work and dedication pay off.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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